I agree with the criticism that there has been no consultation with either the public or the architect profession.

It is noteworthy that work on the redevelopment has been secretly under way since 2015, and the Australian War Memorial has utilised the convergence of the 100th anniversary remembrance of the end of World War I; the 25th anniversary of the interment of the Unknown Australian Soldier; and Sydney's Invictus Games to spring its secret proposal on an unsuspecting public.

Quite apart from the folly of demolishing a world-class exhibition hall, one important aspect of the redevelopment proposal is that the development will stretch out over nine years, and over this time will diminish the remembrance, education and tourist impact of the Australian War Memorial.

It is time for Parliament to take control and initiate genuine discussion and debate on the proposal.

John Myrtle, Mawson

Bullying seems almost to have become a culturally accepted feature of social interaction.

CEOs and boards of banks are exposed as exerting their authority by bullying customers, staff and communities into silence, lest their egregious behaviour be exposed.

Politics operates on a bullying principle, with electors, rather than being democratically consulted on policy implementation, having pre-ordained decisions imposed. To make the insult even greater, many such decisions are shrouded in secrecy.

The public commons is being arrogated by intimidation. Purchasers of property are bullied into silence when recourse is sought against defects. Cyber bullying poses significant suicide risk and the internet provides a convenient pathway to intimidation. World leaders use bullying tactics on other countries, and often on their own people to silence dissent.

Akin to churches, historically, hospitals have been places of sanctuary or safety.

Like many shibboleths this belief is now anachronistic, as suggested by equivocation, over years, engaged in by Canberra Health Services, which has abdicated its duty of care to staff and, consequently, to those, who in their distress, avail of its services ("Anti-bullying statement delayed", November 25, p3).

It behoves Canberra Health Services act as opposed to producing a mere "statement".

If after three years professional groups do not have sufficient acumen to co-operatively address bullying, it is a sad reflection on their ethical codes – if they exist – of practice. Powerful groups see it in their interests to perpetuate bullying, despite negative outcomes.

Albert M. White, Queanbeyan, NSW

I read with interest (Letters, November 25) of the Pedestrian Council's suggestion of a 30km/h speed limit on Northbourne Avenue. Perhaps we could go further.

At the beginning of travel in motor cars, England introduced a law that ensured that a person with a red flag walk in front of the car.

This undoubtedly was a safe option and perhaps we could introduce it for Northbourne Avenue and all parking areas.

Without doubt it would reduce risk to pedestrians.

Howard Carew, Isaacs

The recently released US National Climate Assessment states that many of the effects of global warming forecast by climate scientists are already happening, at least in the US ("More epic disasters expected", November 25, p5).

These effects include weather extremes becoming "more frequent, intense, widespread or of longer duration". This can cause worsening air pollution (which can cause lung and heart problems), more insect-transmitted diseases, and deaths due to heatwaves.

Perhaps the most worrying issue to emerge from the climate assessment is what is happening in Alaska, which is experiencing a "staggering" rate of warming.

This is causing rapid melting of coastal and glacial ice, and an increase in the rate of thawing of tundra permafrost.

Thawing of permafrost releases methane, which is about 30 times more potent in trapping heat than is carbon dioxide.

If the thawing of permafrost is not slowed or halted, it could lead to uncontrollable runaway global warming the – last thing we want.

The world, and especially the US, must act now and act decisively to address the threats posed by global warming before it becomes beyond our control.

Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

Spain's stance regarding Gibraltar ("Britain faces Gibraltar Brexit threat", November 25, p13) would be a lot stronger if it took steps to change the status of its own exclaves in north Africa – Cueta, which is just across the strait from Gibraltar, Melilla and the largely-island groups known collectively as the "plazas de soberania".

While they've been Spanish territory for centuries, this is no justification.

Ireland had been British territory for a similar amount of time.

I'm not necessarily saying that Spain should hand them to Morocco, which has expressed interest, but rather that Spain should shut up about Gibraltar until it does.

Fintan O Laighin, Narrabundah

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