I discovered I was same-sex attracted many decades ago and remember thinking with great sadness that marriage is now not an option for me.

My partner and I have been through the various forms of legislation in the ACT that have valiantly tried to provide us with equality. We have seen that legislation wiped out by the Commonwealth.

We have registered a civil partnership in the ACT as a way of having some formal recognition of our relationship (and don't forget that many entitlements, such as being able to leave superannuation to your partner, are relatively new to us also).

So now the Abbott government wants to consider a referendum or a plebiscite. I can't help but ask what that will mean for my community. Will we have to stand by while opponents of same-sex marriage fill the media with their arguments against considering us equals? What impact will this have on young people trying to understand their sexuality?

If the referendum/plebiscite decides I am unworthy of the institution of marriage, must I accept second-class status for ever more? Will the whole exercise give permission to the homophobes in our society to escalate their intolerance?

Frankly, I am over it. My right to be considered equal under secular law in Australia is not a plaything for politicians.

My right to be considered equal under secular law in Australia has nothing to do with the teachings of various religions. My right to be considered equal under secular law in Australia should not be at the discretion of a popular vote, following what I fear will be a fierce campaign of subtle and not so subtle denouncement of who I am.

Lyn Farrand, Kambah

The debate about same-sex marriage is really not about love, as we should be able to accept that those wishing marriage are motivated by love, not just sexual attraction.

Similarly the debate is not about equality of rights under the law, for, if we argue as simply as that, we should accept that anyone practising bigamy should be equally protected by the law and that multiple husbands or multiple wives should be given equality under the law. Do we really want that?

No, few issues in life can be decided by reference to a single principle, but most require there conciliation of several important but conflicting principles.

Resistance to same-sex marriage is not simply a conservative reaction. It is not simply an expression of distaste for homosexuality. It is not simply a sense of betrayal of the status of marriage, civil or otherwise.

Marriage between a man and a woman with the intent of procreation is a fundamental and natural law, and the most permanent, sensible and practical laws fully recognise natural law. I hope that this natural law will be maintained.

R.J. Nairn, Hawker

Tim Flannery could well have included James Lovelock's discovery of dimethyl sulphide in his list of tools to save the planet ("Ray of hope for climate change", Forum, August 15, p4).

DMS is excreted by tiny sea creatures, including plankton and corals. It acts as a hygroscopic condensation nucleus that enables clouds to form over the oceans.

Carbon dioxide in solution has adversely affected the DMS producers and reduced their output. I'm no chemist, but DMS sounds like a simple molecule that could be cheaply synthesised in large quantities. It also embodies the sulphur atom that would enhance albedo or reflectance.

Noting that cyclones get their energy from solar warming of the oceans, DMS could be distributed by ships in northern Australian waters, where damaging cyclones tend to form – a possible location fora DMS trial.

Colin Glover, Canberra City

The less than adequate cut in Australia's carbon emissions signifies our government's scientific illiteracy and bodes ill for our making a fair share of tackling global heating and consequent climate disruption ("Paltry cut embarrasses Australia, Editorial, Times2, August 12, p2).

In keeping with this opinion, the Chief Scientist for Australia, Ian Chubb, has said: "Australia is the only country among the OECD without a science or technology strategy. The consequences are, and will be, felt in our performance in a world more reliant than ever before on science and science-based people."

Minister for Industry IanMacfarlane has spoken of Australia's "atrocious" business-research collaboration record, and Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt has allowed the plundering of coal from the Galilee Basin in Central Australia, which will increase greenhouse gases, and the mining of coal-seam gas over prime agricultural land, already shown to pollute vital underground water supplies.

It is tragic that this great country, which has a poor record of pollution and yet possesses some of the most abundant clean renewable energy resources, which are already economically competitive with fossil fuels, should go down the road of accelerating climate change.

Why do we have such an irresponsibly myopic and stupid government?

Bryan Furnass, Hughes

Attorney-General George Brandis has given notice that the government intends to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to eliminate rights to challenge development approvals, because the Federal Court decided that Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt had not gone through the proper process for the approval of the huge Adani coal mine in the Galilee Basin in Queensland.

This government will go to any lengths to protect its big coal company mates, while the environment, the jobs in the economy of the future and some of the best farming land in the country can go jump.

K. Kelly, Chifley

The Land Development Agency has a long history of ignoring planning laws and regulations. They showed contempt for heritage listing of the Northbourne Housing Precinct, they disregarded public consultation around the Yarralumla housing development, they didn't even bother to pretend to consult over the Telopea Park School land swap, and now we have found out that they are prepared to bully a small Canberra business out of proper compensation ("Mr Spokes to stay after fight for West Basin digs", August 18, p1).

It is time for the Legislative Assembly to inquire into the work practices of the LDA and for the board and the minister to take responsibility.

Beth Sloane, Scullin

CBR stands for "Confident, Bold, Ready". I didn't realise this philosophy extended to LDA thuggery and bullying of two humble small business owners who bring so much joy to visitors of our – in the words of Andrew Barr – "vibrant, contemporary and diverse city".

Is this the city we want to become? Subjecting small businesses such as Mr Spokes to drawn out uncertainty from a behemoth bureaucracy.

Personally, I can't wait to hire bikes with my family and ride along the beautiful lake with construction dust filling my lungs and the beautiful sound of jackhammers and bobcats in my ears. Talk about "vibrancy"! The government should be ashamed.

Brenton Anthony, Bruce

The report by the Australia Institute about the potential of ride sharing among commuters in Canberra ("Catching a ride to city's future", August 17, p1) misses the point.

At peak hour, Northbourne Avenue has a capacity of 3000 cars an hour, almost all of them carrying only a driver and headed for just four destinations: Civic, Russell, ANU/CSIRO or the Parliamentary departmental offices. The probability that commuting workers from Gungahlin and North Canberra could be matched in a ride-sharing sense for their journey to work is very high.

In contrast the government is offering one tram every six minutes carrying a maximum of 200 passengers, 130 of whom would be standing shoulder to shoulder for up to half an hour. Why on earth would anyone ride-share the "last mile" to a tram stop for that experience when they could ride-share in the comfort of a car to within walking distance of their office?

A. Smith, Farrer

G. Clews (Letters, August 17) is right in calling for more police presence on the Tuggeranong Parkway to deter tailgaters.

Another solution to the problem and perhaps a cheaper one in the long run, would be to install average speed cameras, at least in the worst sections of the parkway. On Hindmarsh Drive, before the installation of these cameras, it was always a race to the bottom of Red Hill and dangerous tailgating and bad accidents were common.

Of course I understand that these cameras cost money but, as far as Hindmarsh Drive at Red Hill is concerned, it has been worth every cent.

This section of road is now a prime example of driver courtesy and restraint.

Glenda Naughten, Farrer

What do the Hettingers want (Letters, August 18)? The dog that sadly bit their daughter hung drawn and quartered and its owner put in penury? The way this country is going that sort of outcome may be highly likely in the near future. However, it will not reverse the situation and it will not absolve those involved including the Hettingers of any culpability. I think Paul Recher's points (Letters, August 15) were entirely appropriate.

David Groube, Guerilla Bay, NSW

Simon Corbell will be long remembered in Canberra. He has shown us just how far politicians will go to keep themselves in office. When I was young, the ALP was known as the party of principle while the Liberals were seen as the pragmatists, willing to do whatever to get and keep themselves in office.

Simon Corbell is a living, breathing example of the fact that this is no longer so. He is willing to spend $800 million of our money to build the tram for no better reason than to keep the support of Shane Rattenbury, without whom this government would fall. He must know the project is dodgy, he won't even release the second study that the government commissioned on the subject because it doesn't support the project.

I hope he becomes the first permanent inhabitant of Antarctica.

Stan Marks, Hawker

Simon Corbell is leaving? I've been hoping for this day ever since his inflated ego got underfoot in his (losing) battle with the Snows years ago. You remember. By confidentially changing the land-use/purpose constraints, pre-auction, on the now-DFO site in Fyshwick, but allowing it to be auctioned ostensibly for other, much less lucrative purposes, he cost we long-suffering taxpayers an estimated $50 million when it went to the Snows' rivals, cheaply.

Rat deserting ship, indeed.

Manson MacGregor, Amaroo

Peter Randall (Letters, August 14) is concerned about removal of Cootamundra wattles (Acacia baileyana) in the ACT region. His comment about "the local plant police" is unfair and unworthy. A great deal of scientific study has gone into the impacts of A baileyana and unfortunately the conclusion is that it is a significant environmental weed in Victoria and the ACT and a relatively important or emerging environmental weed in many other parts of southern Australia.

When grown beyond its relatively restricted natural range it invades intact open woodlands, heathlands, grasslands and dry eucalypt woodlands. It displaces other wattles that are native to these areas and can form dense stands that shade out other native plants. It can also hybridise with other species of wattles, thereby replacing natural populations of these species with unnatural hybrids. Where there are dense stands it does add nitrogen to the soil and increase soil fertility but paradoxically this makes the area less suitable for many plants native to that area and much more suitable to exotic invasive weeds.

Mr Randall's enthusiasm for our nature parks is praiseworthy but he might wish to check the facts before criticising those who devote time and expertise to the study of such matters and the volunteers who work to control this plant for the benefit of the region's native flora.

David Coutts, Flynn

Jenna Price has written a very important article highlighting the pay injustice that the Parliament House cleaners suffer, especially in comparison to the people whose toilets they clean. ("Wanted: MPs to represent cleaners' interests", Time2, August 18, p5).

Unfortunately her excellent piece arguing for wage justice for the cleaners is undermined by a silly arithmetical mistake. Parliamentarians do not earn $5000 an hour. They earn, assuming a 40-hour week, about $100 an hour, increased by about $5 an hour since 2012. Compare this to the cleaners on $21.17 an hour, unchanged since 2012. Price's more important point, that the disparity between Parliamentarians and the very poorly paid workers who provide for their comforts, remains.

I see the cleaners' pay dispute as a symbol of all that is wrong about Australian politics today: a group of pampered well-paid politicians divorced from the rest of us and wanting to cut or limit the wages of the lowest paid for the benefit of the rich ruling elite the politicians represent.

John Passant, Kambah

Julian Cribb (Letters, August 17) has spoken for many of us. The pantomime that passes for our national Parliament is no longer about our future but about the future employment of our parliamentary representatives. And we are letting it happen because we are switching off in disgust.

In other parts of Australia, civil society groups and individuals are forming alliances to recapture the democratic agenda. In Canberra a steering group is planning to launch The Canberra Alliance for Participatory Democracy at Radford College at 1.30 pm on September 13. All is not yet lost. We, the people are still potentially very powerful.

Bob Douglas, Aranda

TO THE POINT

The Canberra Times wants to hear from you in short bursts. Email views in 50 words or fewer to

letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au

REBRANDING A WASTE

Andrew Barr justifies spending $570,000-plus on rebranding ACTEW Water because it is "a better outcome for all concerned" ("Govt says it's worth it as ACTEW Water rebranding tops $570,000", August 17, p3). How, pray tell?

Paddy O'Keeffe, Palmerston

Ah, Icon. Living up to its name, conning us into paying for useless marketing such as rebranded water bottles, memory sticks and other paraphernalia. It's not like we have any options, so why do we need slick marketing to convince us to stay with brand Icon?

Adrian Smith, Yarralumla

GOOD RAT CONTROL

Timothy Walsh (Letters, August 17) suggests euthanising feral cats in inner-city areas but can he then suggest how the rats and mice might be controlled?

Margaret Cazabon, Barton

VOTE ON ABBOTT FIRST

Before we have a referendum or a plebiscite on marriage equality, can we please have a plebiscite on whether we can trust Tony Abbott to be fair in framing the question and running the process?

Mike Stracey, Fraser

We need more time to be informed before a vote is taken. I would like to know the views of the proponents of same-sex marriage about adults' and governments' freedom to decide whether a child should have the freedom of both its natural parents or whether this can be usurped.

Stewart Homan, Greenway

ELDERLY PENALISED

The Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 1) Bill 2015 is "to abolish the dependent spouse tax offset". So this means my 70-plus profoundly deaf spouse has to go and get a job. I hope Joe Hockey's mother is looking for one too.

Cliff Tarrant, Brogo, NSW

FEDERAL FARCE

I was puzzled as I watched the federal government lurch from one farce to the next. Then I realised what is happening – they're following a script by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Maria Greene, Curtin

MODERN ROBBERS

Pauline Westwood (Letters, August 18): Big Tobacco has modernised and updated the ancient code of the highway robbers: your money and your life.

Ramesh Thakur, O'Connor

COMPARISON OFFENDS

I'm deeply offended that Barbara Fisher (Letters, August 18) likened me to a politician (Pontius Pilate).

Mike Dallwitz, Giralang

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