There should be no study associated with NAPLAN. Even ACARA, the mob that has given us these blasted tests, says study serves no purpose and just working through the curriculum is all that is required. But when a test is high stakes, like NAPLAN unambiguously is, all sorts of perversions occur that detract from the true purpose and process of learning. That's why educators around the country are committed to an urgent rethink of the current failed testing regime.

Glenn Fowler, secretary Australian Education Union – ACT branch, Barton

The Turnbull government last week published estimates showing that Australia's greenhouse emissions have risen relentlessly every year for the past three years. Bleaching events continue to kill our once great Barrier Reef. Change is urgent!

Australians can no longer afford for our futures and those of our children to be held to ransom by the small minority of ignorant selfish climate change deniers on the backbench of the Turnbull Coalition government.

These selfish climate deniers actually want to increase carbon emissions by building new coal power stations, keeping worn out stations going, and subsidising huge new export coal mines. I call on the Federal Parliament to create an immediate double dissolution election so that Australians can have the earliest opportunity to elect a new government which will immediately move to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia with a view to reaching at least a 50 per cent reduction by 2030.

Further I call on that new Parliament to invest the bulk of the currently proposed tax cut moneys into a new clean energy corporation which will directly and indirectly invest those tax-cut moneys to ensure that the 2030 target of at least 50 per cent reduction by 2030 is met. We have ample, proven, cost-effective technologies available to safely and efficiently make this reduction happen, including solar, wind, pumped hydro, and large storage batteries.

Let's do it!

Roger Clement, Googong, NSW

At every election fewer than 2000 citizens nominate for a position in our Australian Parliament. Few if any would not know that they intend to do so at some time in advance of any election.

To be eligible all they need to do is to make inquiries on potential citizenship of another country and document their actions and all responses. For certainty they should make sure that a lawyer or other credible person also has a record of all documents.

This would include ensuring that every potential country is sent a clear and simple letter of renunciation of their citizenship rights.

For the vast majority of countries, and all that have caused problems so far, the processes to be followed are clear and renunciation must be finalised by completion of those processes ie: formal recognition by that country that the potential candidate has renounced citizenship. In the exceptional case where that is not possible then the "reasonable endeavours" test is easily shown.

All those actions must be completed prior to the candidate nominating in the few weeks prior to the election. All parties must also have preselection processes which, too, need to be robust and transparent on citizenship. There is no reason for a referendum or changes to the electoral act at great cost to assist a tiny proportion of the fewer than 2000 candidates at any election.

Steve Blume, Chapman

The family home that has always been exempt from the assets test for the age pension is now being included by a very clever government.

The pensioner loan scheme is a form of death duties imposed by deceit. Pensioners would have to be gullible to believe that they are being given a bonus. What they will be receiving is some of their own asset and paying 5.25 per cent interest or more for that privilege. They should not believe the spiel that the house they built or bought 40 years ago is going to increase in value to cover the loan.

Older houses require a lot of maintenance and do not sell well. While the Reserve Bank keeps interest rates at 1.5 per cent the government's loan scheme will be a nice little earner with pensioners paying 5.25 per cent or more on a loan drawn on their own property. The government doesn't want them to draw down on their own capital to meet expenses because this results in them receiving a higher pension.

They want to keep pensions low by letting pensioners use up the value in their homes. Pensioners who take out these complex loans will face more problems if they want to downsize or go into aged care.

In addition to stamp duty and commission they will also have to pay off a debt. The government operates with high debt levels. It is now asking aged people to do the same thing.

Ken Waters, Maida Vale, SA

Teachers are being told not to ask students "what did you do on the weekend" – not just because of privacy issues but because of "poverty concerns". Again a possibly well-intentioned idea that in hindsight seems silly.

Teachers try to connect with their students and this Monday morning opening inquiry is not designed to set up students for embarrassment but to manage the start of the week when that's probably all the students are going to talk about anyway.

There are many dangers in this, including students telling the truth, which may be more than the teacher wants to know.

The notion of "poverty" shaming students should not be contemplated at all as teachers want to do the best they can for their students and hopefully embarrassing students to put them "in their place' went out with the cane.

The education "experts" should trust the teachers who have the students' welfare in their thoughts.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

The current Access Canberra email contains a survey on changes to P-plate licence-holders' conditions.

I find it hard to believe that one driver group is being discriminated against in a bid to improve road safety. If bureaucrats cannot see that, nationalised road rules should be a priority, meaning that negotiating a roundabout in Broome, WA, is no different than a roundabout in Moruya, NSW, and any other driving manoeuvre.

It seems the P-plater is the easiest target for blame when it comes to road safety but not always the correct target.

Any new driver, not always a young driver, who applies for a learner's permit should undertake a mandatory minimum six months L-plate driving before taking a driving test for a full licence, after that period and, at the learner's discretion to take a driving test and they are deemed to be a competent driver, a full licence should be applied.

This practice of restricted conditions for P-platers only adds to unsafe road scenarios, do away with P plates so we can all drive to the same rules and speeds.

We have different rules for DUI, which is insane. If the alcohol content for all drivers was zero and there were much more severe penalties for offenders, that would be a move in the right direction.

T. Jones, Calwell

I have felt sickened and heartbroken by Israel's deadly attacks on unarmed protesters in Gaza, the latest example of its militarised repression of Palestinians. Up to Tuesday, more than 44 demonstrators had been killed and thousands had been injured.

On Tuesday I woke up to the shocking news that another 60 people, including eight children, had been mowed down by Israeli snipers and thousands more had been injured.

Meanwhile, just 40 miles away, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Netanyahu celebrated the opening of the new American embassy in Jerusalem, an act that cynically flies in the face of the international consensus on the steps needed for peace between Israel and Palestine.

Israel's military forces administer the illegal occupation and siege of the West Bank and Gaza, enforcing its closure from air, land and sea.

It targets unarmed Palestinians with vicious tear gas grenades, rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition, and carries out mass arrests, house demolitions and extra-judicial executions.

This brutality lies at the heart of Israel's systematic violations of Palestinian rights, amounting to serious breaches of international law and even war crimes.

Palestinians have every right to protest against this illegal and devastating oppression.

There has now been an international outcry and condemnation of the bloodbath in Gaza and the United Nations Secretary-General and the European Union have called for an independent investigation into this massacre.

I am calling on the Australian government to do the same.

Mary Kelly, Yarralumla

Some important points about the recent Gaza violence. It was not Israel firing at unarmed protesters or using disproportionate force. Hamas organised the protesters as cover for attempts by armed men to infiltrate Israel's border fence and create carnage in nearby Israeli communities. Tragic though the loss of life was, Israel needed to do what was necessary to prevent that happening.

The violence was not provoked by the moving of the US embassy to Israel's capital, Jerusalem. This was merely an excuse by Hamas, which has been conducting violent attacks against Israel for 30 years. The violence was not provoked by Israel's blockade of Gaza, which is actually itself a legitimate response to Hamas violence from Gaza.

As Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh made clear when he said the demonstrations would begin the Palestinian"return to Palestine, all of Palestine", the violence is provoked simply by Israel's existence. Hamas, as it has now shown multiple times, it is more than happy to sacrifice its own people's lives to make Israel look bad in pursuance of that aim.

Danny Samuels, Malvern

According to the report "Concern at forest clearing near reef" (May 13, p3), the federal government intends to give the go-ahead to the clearing of "almost 2000 hectares of pristine Queensland forest" on Cape York Peninsula.

The land, on Kingvale Station, drains into two rivers that flow out to the Great Barrier Reef 200 kilometres to the east. Total clearing – "for cropping and other activities" – of such a large area is certain to result in fine, muddy sediment being deposited on and effectively smothering parts of the reef. This flies directly in the face of the Turnbull government's announced intention to spend $201 million on improving water quality on the reef by improving farming practices.

To make matters worse, the owner of Kingvale Station, Scott Harris, has been accused of alleged illegal land clearing elsewhere in Queensland. However, the federal Department of Environment and Energy has waved this past because the charges have not yet been heard in court, and the department therefore has no evidence that Mr Harris "has any established unsatisfactory record of environmental management".

Like James Trezise of the Australian Conservation Foundation, I find it astounding that the government would be giving the green light to almost certain further damage to the reef while at the same time spending $201 million to protect it. I also find it utterly reprehensible.

Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin

I am not surprised to learn the federal budget allocated very little to no funding to the ACT.

Can anyone be?

The ACT, that relies on federal funding to exist, is a safe haven for Labour politicians, both local and national.

It's a sure thing. So why should they bother giving us money for infrastructure, health care, community services, etc.

They know they are going to be re-elected anyway, so they need not bother.

On the flip side, the Liberal politicians also disregard us, knowing that either they won't get elected or will not be rewarded if they do.

Result — both major parties treat us with disdain. We are our own worst enemies, voting Labour in each election.

It's ironic I feel; we are supposed to be the most politically astute and connected region in Australia yet we show real naivety through our tribalism.

Until we vote on merit and remove our political bias this situation will remain.

Our neighbours in the Monaro electorate, remain impartial and vote for the best people at election time.

We need to do the same.

Michael Collins, Banks

NAMING RIGHTS

Excellent contribution (Letters, May 16) from Kerin Cox re Dr Lewis Nott (for the new electorate). I'd never heard of him but I believe it is an excellent idea to use his name. And I agree 100 per cent with John Walker re Bruce. I, too, have followed the Kookas and Brumbies since inception and Bruce Stadium is not the problem.

Build a team and I/they will come.

N. R. Watson, Phillip

HEAR, HEAR

Re Stan Marks on Katy Gallagher (Letters, May 17): hear, bloody hear, Mr Marks!

Peter Moran, Watson

MOVING FORWARD

I read with encouragement that one third of Australian young people no longer believe in any religion. It shows that Australia has moved on from the past, our young people are helping Australia develop into a First World nation, embracing technology and change, and moving past a made-up religious history full of violence, fear, intolerance, assaults and just plain lies. With the shortage of public housing and government welfare being removed, I fear for those two-thirds of young people, destined to be left behind in the real world as they get older – confused, lost, ignored and forgotten.

Pierre Nijssen, Kambah

HOW ABOUT A SHEILA?

So far we've had suggestions that our new electorate might be Bean, Nott or even Matilda. Aren't we missing the obvious: We already have a Bruce, what we need is a Sheila.

Roger Dace, Reid

BLOOD THICKER

Bill Deane (Letters, May 17) should remember that the basic meaning of "nation" is a group of people connected by birth, an ethnic group. As such, it would generally be a more accurate descriptor of a tribe than of a state.

A lot of emotional energy comes from the concept of nation: blood is thicker than water.

Michael McCarthy, Deakin

THIN EDGE OF WEDGE

Where is the witless standard refrain of "Laura Norder" proponents that "if you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to fear" regarding police powers to demand identification within airports?

It is indeed "dangerous times" when this affront to human dignity and autonomy can be proposed.

Too bad if you belong to a minority group of whom a few members might have done bad things previously.

This is the thin end of the wedge. "Papers, please!"

David Jenkins, Casey

GAMESMANSHIP, REALLY?

Gamesmanship over the much hyped US-North Korea summit? Knock me down with a feather. Who would have ever thought that this could happen when you've got Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump involved?

M. Moore, Bonython

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