I have some good news for Mr Deane.

The existence of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples since 2010 answers his question succinctly: no – it was certainly not beyond our wit and initiative.

Mr Deane may be interested to learn that a group of eminent First Peoples self-organised to create our representative body. We initially obtained bipartisan support, including financial support for our establishment and perform multiple roles, chief among them is advocating for the advancement of our people and acting as a voice for Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders to governments across Australia.

Our First Peoples organisation's long term aspiration is to not be dependent on government funds to support our work and we welcome the support of Mr Deane and others.

Rod Little, co-chair, National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, Canberra

Tim the Yowie Man ("Canberra Man Falls Victim To Uluru Curse", canberratimes.com.au, May 15) celebrates "post hoc ergo proctor hoc", the infamous witch-murdering logic, in his superstitious article about misfortune following the movement of material from Uluru. Perhaps in his next article he could explain how pocketing rocks makes kangaroos jump in front of 4WDs; or how a woman's glance can cause deformity in newborns – a "Yowie" phenomenon that really causes torture and murder in various regions of the world.

Peter Robinson, Ainslie

Now that the dust is settling on Saturday's royal wedding, and the social media commentary amplifies regarding Meghan's dress, the preacher, or the guest list, it is worth recalling two sublime aspects of the occasion.

Firstly, it was a brilliant display of restrained, yet celebratory British stability, pomp and procedure, that is a joy to behold and signifies something deeper about an institution that Australia is inextricably linked to, and which has served us so well over the decades.

And secondly, millions of viewers had the opportunity to once again hear the poetic and pastoral words concerning matrimony from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, where marriage in all its glorious fullness – sexual union, the birth of children, a lifelong commitment, and the symbolism of Christ and the church — was proudly proclaimed.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn, Vic

The government continues to use endangered species, among other excuses, as justification for slaughtering kangaroos in the national capital ('Legless lizards and earless dragons show roo culls are working', canberratimes.com.au, May 18)

But their concern is exposed as window dressing by the continued onslaught of land development throughout the ACT.

The endangered species don't just live in the nature reserves. They don't, for example, come across a reserve fence line and decide to stay within its boundaries. These same species live on the very land that has been recently bulldozed, flattened and slowly being built on, for example, behind the Kama Nature Reserve.

These same species live on the huge tracts of land out west and to the north recently grabbed for development by the government.

If the government and scientific concern was real they would not allow developers to bulldoze the land in the manner they do.

There would be proper development of wildlife corridors including forested and grassed bridges.

Instead, as far as the eye can see, all is concrete and bitumen where once there was wildlife including the threatened species.

The government and property developers work hand in glove, paying only lip service to environmental protections.

They blame the kangaroo for destruction of grasslands and threatening endangered species as a distraction while those who actually destroy them continue unhindered.

Carolyn Drew, Page

In the days of paper airline tickets Qantas and Ansett used to regularly endorse tickets over to the other airline where a passenger had a pressing need and their original flight had been badly delayed or cancelled.

Surely in today's electronic environment similar arrangements can be put in place.

Continuing with current arrangements of passengers having to purchase exorbitantly expensive fares so as to catch connecting flights or meet urgent commitments, when their original flight has been delayed or cancelled is only going to reduce passenger numbers and add pressure for the establishment of a real airline industry Ombudsman.

J. F. Landos, Ainslie

It is pleasing to see reports that a committee of the Legislative Assembly has commenced its hearing into assisted dying.

No doubt varied opinions have been given on such a difficult matter.

It has long been my understanding that members of those professions possessing superior knowledge of the horrors of a prolonged death are those most likely to take steps to avoid such a situation.

A quick computer inquiry located, amongst several, a study by Business Insider — Australia which confirms this.

The suicide rates revealed are: Physicians – 1.87 times the population average (almost double the average). Dentists – 1.67. Veterinary surgeons – 1.54. Chiropractors – 1.5. Pharmacists – 1.29.

The committee will no doubt take this type of study under consideration.

Max Lotton, Fisher

I have noticed a spate of letters lamenting the closure of bank branches. Has anyone noticed an even greater reduction in the number of ATMs?

Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor

Is it the Kosciuszko National Park or the Kosciuszko Theme Park?

The NSW government's proposed bill to list feral horses as heritage items is a slap in the face of the natural heritage values of that park.

The proposal ignores the government's own independent scientific advice that feral horses are damaging fragile ecosystems throughout Kosciuszko and seeks to undermine a potential listing of feral horses as a threatening process to NSW's high country. And this is being done by the NSW Environment Minister.

Let's get away from the emotive issues associated with feral horse management and recognise their presence in the high country threatens the very reason we have Kosciuszko National Park.

The 31 native species and the three ecosystems threatened by the feral horses are the true national icons of the park. Without effective controls of feral horses we will just have a wild west theme park.

Rod Griffiths, convener, environmental sub-committee National Parks Association of the ACT

I am delighted Anne Prendergast (Letters, May 22) had her letter on the tent embassy published.

It would be upsetting if we couldn't hear her voice of protest. And wouldn't it be horrible if our society wanted to simply "get rid" of her for holding unpopular views.

How would she feel if the rest of us clamoured to have her pushed to the "outskirts"?

The existence of the Aboriginal tent embassy visibly suggests that democracy, freedom of expression and tolerance are alive and well in Australia. It also reminds us of injustice, oppression and racism. I for one am proud that there is such an open site of protest.

To see the Aboriginal tent embassy, is to see noble ideals manifest in our society. No one with a modicum of political knowledge would be foolish enough to dismiss the significance of the ATE, let alone call for it to be moved. Resolve the protest issues themselves, not the appearance of the physical site.

On the other hand, what troubles me deeply are the number of aesthetically appealing modern offices in neighbouring Barton.

Closed to the public, these lobbying offices ostensibly plot for privilege, concentrate power and toy with taxation.

Their influence has brought about greater inequality in Ms Prendergast's society and robbed our public sector of resources and capacity. The workings of these "smart-looking" offices are in part responsible for the "eyesore" that is our rundown public infrastructure across the entire country.

Craig Hodges, Kingston

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has been quoted as saying: "Australia voted against the Human Rights Council resolution (on Israel and Palestine) because of our principled opposition to resolutions that fail the test of balance and impartiality".

I feel ashamed of my government's decision, especially these comments.

Israel receives $3.15 billion per year from the US for its armed services, by far the strongest in the Middle East, and uses these weapons against a people with no army at all. And Ms Bishop talks about balance and impartiality.

In 1948 , when Israel was established, more than 800,000 Palestinians became permanent refugees. Where is the balance and impartiality in this? In the past 70 years Israel has stolen more and more Palestinian land. Where is the balance and impartiality in this?

Israel controls the movements of all Palestinians, has built fences all over the place, stolen farm land, set up hundreds of check points and refused travel to hospitals, schools and universities. Where is the balance and impartiality in this?

Israeli forces have used disproportionate and indiscriminate force against Palestinian civilians; shooting at anyone, including medics, who were clearly identifiable (and killing some of them), and then making videos of what they had just done.

Our government, and the rest of the world, must recognise the plight of the Palestinians. They are people just like us and deserve the same opportunities we have.

Gwenyth Bray, Belconnen

We read ("Medical revolt over MRI restrictions", May 21, p10) that the head of the government's Medicare Taskforce Review, Professor Bruce Robinson, acknowledged that the recommendation to strip GPs from referring knee MRIs was based on "expert not scientific opinion".

Who are these so-called experts? What is their expertise? The good professor should realise that science never provides an "opinion". It provides information, on which to base an opinion.

Was the decision based on a cost-benefit study on the use of MRIs for knees? And if not, what information was used? Or is it just part of a government plot to immobilise our senior citizens?

David Denham, Griffith

There is no denying Sue Dyer's logic (Letters, May 19) on the black hole into which the substance and expectations of public consultations on planning and development in this city state have been suctioned since self-government.

She expected, as any reasonable person would, that "open government" entails listening and responding to the distilled views of citizens who actually live here and have to endure the consequences of government decisions.

However, these public forums are no more than cynical window dressing; the government going through the motions.

Sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Sue will recall the BBC satire Yes, Minister in which Sir Arnold Robinson, the Cabinet Secretary, on the topic of open government, explained the "Law of Inverse Relevance", which may be paraphrased thus: The less the government intends to do about something, the more it invites the great unwashed to talk about it.

A. Whiddett, Forrest

I totally agree with Cheryl Forrest-Smith's compassionate letter (May 21) that Malcolm Turnbull and David Littleproud are equally guilty of sickening cruelty that exporters will continue to routinely inflict on animals.

The Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (Escas) is a farce and is not worth the paper it is written on.

Cheryl is correct in saying Australians are outraged and will neither forgive or forget this abomination.

Future generations will view these events with disgust, as it will be seen as one of the greatest revolutions in animal rights, of our human history, equal to slavery and women's rights.

Diane Cornelius, Seacliff Park, SA

WASTE WASTE

Canberra's proposed waste transfer terminal to shuffle all red bin and commercial waste currently going to Mugga dump into Fyshwick on its merry way to landfill at Woodlawn will gain us the prize for the largest waste terminal in Australia – in fact most likely in the southern hemisphere. To make it viable we will have to import waste in trucks.

B. Moore, Kingston

STALLED AGAIN?

I'm hoping the much-vaunted driverless car technology won't be reliant upon the Telstra 4G network.

John Howarth, Weston

FORMULA CAP HITS HOME

It is not only mothers of twins who are experiencing difficulties with being able to to purchase enough formula.

I am an elderly woman with only 5per cent of my stomach, and I need to purchase formula to help me gain weight. I have had to place an order for the product instead of taking a tin off the shelf at my local chemist, as its supplier is having difficulties accessing the product.

Maggie Watts, Calwell

EMBASSY AN EMBLEM

Since Australia Day 1972, when the Aboriginal tent embassy was established, I have been proud to live in a country where it is accepted as a right to exist. I am also, ashamed to live in a country where Aboriginal people, find it necessary 46 years later, to maintain the tent embassy. I am happy that efforts to destroy the tent embassy have thus far been unsuccessful.

Susan Redston, Chisholm

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS

Now that Meghan is a duchess, will she have her troublesome rellies throw into the Tower of London dungeon?

Thos Puckett, Ashgrove

TB ALSO A KILLER

It is appalling that Ebola has killed on average about 10 people every day over the last three years – and I am pleased that the World Health Organisation is ramping up its operations in Africa. But I am left to wonder why no one is making a fuss about tuberculosis – it killed on average about 4700 people every day over the last three years! Why is that?

David Bailey, Deakin West

SPONSORSHIP HYPOCRISY

David Pope (cartoon, May 22) has nailed the War Memorial's sponsorship hypocrisy. Wonder what would have happened had Yasmin drawn it?

Bob Gardiner, Isabella Plains

JUST NOT ON

I agree with all Sue Wareham's comments (Letters, May 22). The AWM should not accept sponsorship from weapons manufacturers and could be compared with the airport allowing advertisements for war machines.

Denis Appel, Deakin

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