Bill Dudley, Melba
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Paul Pollard (Letters June 17) and Brett Odgers (Letters June 20) point out that the cost benefit ratio for light rail assumes an interest rate of 7 per cent. The ACT government can satisfy the critics of light rail who say it will cost too much by giving all ACT residents the opportunity to invest in the project at 7 per cent.
This way the monetary benefits from light rail will be returned to residents. The benefit can be shared across all residents by the ACT government issuing every man woman and child in the ACT the right to take up an equal share in the investment; and to allow them to sell the rights. The ACT government can make it certain that the monetary benefit stays in the ACT by only allowing the investment funds to be used to pay for ACT land, rates, taxes and other services.
Kevin Cox, Ngunnawal
Australia's newest rail line of 330km from Roy Hill to Port Hedland has recently been completed by a workforce of up to 1500 over 18 months.
Yet Simon Corbell would have us believe that building the 13km Gungahlin to Civic light rail line employ a work-force of 3500 for three years. Common sense would suggest Unions ACT has been duped by the "spin meisters" of the ACT government and the subsequent poll question on tram employment is based on pure fantasy. Yes indeed "Labor may be on a tram to nowhere" ("Light rail poll shows public is divided", June 20, p2).
David Dickson, Kaleen
Will the release of carbon stored in the trees along Northbourne Avenue ("860 trees to make way for light rail", June 23, p1) be included in the ACT's green house gas release data? Doesn't matter as it's Corbell's department producing the data. Making us an offer we can't refuse, eh Mr Corbell?
Adrian Smith, Yarralumla
I note that although retired, Jack Waterford wears the exalted title of editor-at-large when penning the occasional missive on national matters, time permitting from his onerous duties as an ex officio member of the Holy Trinity.
I, and I am sure many of my fellow Canberrans, would welcome the omniscient Mr Waterford lowering his gaze from worldly matters to the parochial and wisely guiding us down the troubled tramway.
Bill O'Connell, Waramanga
Fear of the unknown
MP Dennis Jensen pulls out the tried and tested fear of the unknown when discussing marriage equality ("MP asks why not polygamy", June 23, p4). MP Cory Bernadi tried it as well. A typical tactic from the group that is actively promoting discrimination and lack of equality. The same sex marriage lobby have presented a reasoned debate that does not rely on fear and dread, only asking for simple human rights from those that oppose them.
We see straight through you Dennis Jensen and we are not swayed by your attempt at misdirection.
Joe Murphy, Bonython
E. Nelson (Letters June 22) distorts the message I sought to convey in my letter of June 18. Nelson insists that "...it is about equality. Plain and simple". Equality of what? I presume Nelson means entitlement to the same rights and freedoms. If that is so, then I agree.
However, I think it is about choices and the ability of an individual to impose his/her views on the rest of us. It is like saying: Forget about marriage, as you know it. We have an entirely new product that more appropriately reflects and meets the needs and wants of the 21st century. All we need do is to change the law a bit here, a bit there, and voila! In other words, change the meaning of marriage.
So, let's stop pretending that it is about equality and admit that it is about responding to political and commercial pragmatism.
I am all for the rights of same-sex couples to enter into whatever domestic and social contracts they find necessary to solidify and legalise their unions. But this should not entitle them to hijack the institution of marriage as we know it. While, as far as I know, no one has a copyright on the name, I think it is important to maintain the uniqueness of the institution and its meaning.
John Rodriguez, Florey
True value distorted
Former ACT Heritage Czar Duncan Marshall ('Debate on heritage distorted', Times2, June 22, p1) says "evidence must drive policy and technical debates, not prejudice and or misinformation". Yet his article is entirely lacking in anything resembling evidence but is instead an attack against anyone who happens to disagree with the judgments of him and his fellow heritage commissars.
It never occurs to Marshall that he may be wrong. Yet this is despite the fact that he is forced to concede 1. Canberra is a well-educated community and 2. that same well educated community has supported a great deal of heritage preservation, selectively and judiciously, such as the Powerhouse museum and the former Hotel Acton.
Indeed, he notes there are some 1800 heritage registered places in place which don't attract the same level of controversy from this same community as does Northbourne housing precinct. Marshall protests that imposing heritage orders on a building doesn't mean that it can't be redeveloped. As many heritage houses in Barton and Reid have been sympathetically renovated and extended, he argues, so the Northbourne housing precinct should be no different.
Leaving aside the perplexing notion that the Heritage Council gives equal value to temporary constructions on Northbourne Avenue as it does to solid bricks and mortar in Reid and Barton, Marshall here demonstrates just who it is who is ill-informed when it comes to assessing the real-world cost of heritage listings. Marshall indeed seems to have no comprehension of the prohibitive costs which listings impose on redevelopment.
Chris Williams, Griffith
Norfolk Island way of life will be preserved under reforms
As an Australian resident who visited Norfolk Island and who made a response to the Australian Parliament's report titled Same Country, Different World, one is obliged to respond to Jon Stanhope (Letters, June 23).
Firstly, let me stress this most important point, democracy has not been removed from the people of Norfolk Island. In accordance with the proposed incoming reforms for Norfolk Island, an advisory council, comprising of a number of strong local community leaders on Norfolk Island, will provide the people of Norfolk Island with a background in tourism, transport and heritage, which will deliver reform. This advisory has been appointed in accordance with the Norfolk Island Act, 1979 with the main objective being to provide the people of Norfolk Island the opportunity to vote in elections in 2016, when Norfolk Island becomes integrated into the Australian Taxation and Social Security system from July 1, 2016.
I want to assure the people of Norfolk Island that their voice will be heard through the advisory council and that their way of life will be preserved, especially with the appointment of several prominent locals, who have the interests of Norfolk Island at heart.
Angus Moody, Turramurra, NSW
A little sceptical
Having read The Canberra Times spread on climate change, the only thing I am convinced of is that our so-called experts do not really know what is happening. A few short years ago we were being told there would be no more snow or rain, the ice caps would not see another decade, the seas were about to inundate our coastlines, and we would soon cross a threshold where no amount of effort would arrest apocalyptic climate change.
None of these predictions eventuated and the temperature of the surface of the Earth has stubbornly flatlined for over 15 years. Undeterred, the usual suspects plough on with similar predictions. How could any sensible person not be a little sceptical in the face of this track record?
H. Ronald, Jerrabomberra, NSW
Bad for economy
While high house prices are stymying the aspirations of many first-home buyers, they must also be hurting the overall economy. The average mortgage in Australia is now $400,000, for which the monthly repayment is around $3200.
If house prices were lower and the average mortgage were, say, $300,000, the monthly repayment would be around $2400, ie, $800 less, or $9600 per year. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics there were 54,000 commitments for owner-occupied housing finance across the nation in April. If each of them had that $9600 of discretionary funds to inject into the economy it would add up to over $500 million per year, potentially providing a strong, and needed boost to sectors other than housing.
Ed Highley, Kambah
TPP trade deal
If I can add to Peter Hill's comments (Letters, June 18) on the TPP trade deal; it also gives United States companies some control of the wages and income as well as working conditions of every Australian.
For proof of this one should refer to the more than 20 litigation actions taken by the various US companies against Canadian counterparts as well as regulations and bylaws of local governments that affect their interests.
In Australia, an example was the actions of Coles taken against its suppliers if their products did not reach the projected sales and profit margins set by Coles.
G.T. Friend, Torrens
Stuck in 19th century
The recent release of the Abbott government's white paper on further development of northern Australia represents a great chance to improve the north's infrastructure. You could have cities powered with wind generated electricity, optical fibre to every home and business, and mass transport via light rail networks.
Oh, sorry northerners, 21st century technologies are not permitted. You are stuck in the 19th century with coal, copper wires and road transport only, like us in the south.
Clyde Morton, Downer
Policy for population
While agreeing with Bob Salmond (Letters, June 23) that the demand side of the house price inflation equation is being curiously ignored, 42percent of the annual increase in Australia's population is "natural" – the excess of births over deaths. Birth rate can be affected by public policy, as former treasurer Peter Costello famously demonstrated. It is intellectually easy to target immigration, but it is also easily corrupted into xenophobia and racism. Governments are attached to population growth because it makes up the majority of economic growth, which is largely fictional if expressed in GDP per capita. We certainly need a population policy, but it needs to be comprehensive, not just focusing on immigration.
Peter Marshall, Captains Flat, NSW
Love of science
In the book Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins Of The Internet by Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon, it mentions that in 1957 the then President Eisenhower "... hadn't wanted a seasoned military expert heading the Pentagon.
"The president distrusted the military-industrial complex and the fiefdoms of the armed services. .. he loved the scientific community – and he surrounded himself with the nation's best scientific minds." How I wish Tony Abbott could be more Ike-like but I guess that's just a bridge too far...
R. Moulis, Hackett
Free society
As an ex-resident of Canberra, and a loyal Australian, I am appalled to read of Diana Abdel Rahman's views on what she calls the "racism" of our Prime Minister. Isn't she fortunate that she is able to express them in a free society such as ours without risk of persecution?
Unfortunately she has taken advantage of that freedom to rant against Australia and Australians. If she is so unhappy then I suggest she try living in a Muslim country. Australia has the right to pass anti-terrorism laws without the approval of the Muslim community and without her criticism.
Patricia M. Smith, Mt Martha, Vic
Westside's a winner in my book, anyway
I've noticed a disturbing number of articles in the paper recently criticising the Westside development. I'd like to offer a counter view. I think its a great project. This weekend past I hosted a bike polo tournament at Westside. Bike polo is such a niche sport it's often hard to find venues of a suitable size that are willing to give us a go. In contrast, Westside were willing to give us a go before they'd seen the sport.
It's that sort of willingness to try new things we should be encouraging in Canberra.
As for the tournament – we had players travel from Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne – they loved the venue, and it certainly challenged their view of Canberra as boring. They're keen to come back.
Lastly, there were heaps of people at Westside. Some diverted their walk because they heard the music and the cheers. Some came because they knew a competitor. Everyone I spoke to was impressed. The project might be building slowly, but I think it's worth supporting and it'd be nice to see the local newspaper print the views of people other than critics. From your coverage it looks like the only supporter is the Chief Minister and I know that is far from the case.
Nick Dixon-Wilmshurst, Canberra City
Round in circles
Bruce Morris (Letters, June 22) says "Give way to your right at all times" does not apply to vehicles that are already on roundabouts. Can Mr Morris explain why this is so? Surely every vehicle on the roundabout will arrive on your right if it continues far enough, so clearly they have right of way regardless of any special rule for roundabouts. "Give way to your right" has the advantage that it includes vehicles about to enter a very small roundabout on your right, to which you must give way if there is risk of conflict, no matter whether it is or not yet on the roundabout.
Julian Robinson, Narrabundah
TO THE POINT
CAPTAIN'S COMPASS
Peter Snowden's suggestion (Letters, June 23 ) that "the Captain has thrown the moral compass overboard" is outrageous. He should know Tony Abbott has never owned one.
The only way one could have even come into his possession is if he "borrowed" one of the many unused ones left hanging on pegs at the entrance to the cabinet room.
Brian Smith, Conder
A LIBERAL SHAME
After Malcolm Fraser's death, John Howard deserves the title of greatest living Liberal. Shame there will be no one to pass that title on to.
Peter Harris, Belconnen
FAIR GO ON ABC
Tony Abbott asks the ABC whose side it's on. I don't think it's the ABC's job to be on anyone's side, but rather to enable the various points of view to be examined fairly and impartially.
Michael McCarthy, Deakin
FIRE THE CANNON
Damian De Marco (Letters, June 22) tells us "The Vatican instructed its members to secretly deal with child abusers using cannon (sic) laws ..."
Sounds like the most aggressive Vatican initiative since the days of Pope Julius II. Still, as long as it applied only to Vatican members it mightn't have done too much harm. The Curia probably could have afforded to shed a few staff.
Jack Monaghan, O'Connor
CABINET ACTIVIST
Glad to see Tony Abbott has added the Pope to his cabinet, joining News Corp and the coal miners ("Abbott warming to bigger greenhouse cuts", June 23, p4). This gives the cabinet more balance with one infallible climate activist against all the other deniers (not you, Malcolm).
Max Jensen, Chifley
FISCAL FAIRYTALES
How many PM&C staff are currently occupied writing fiscal fairytales to scare the mums and dads? They are probably wondering what other comic strip they could live in.
Paul Feldman, Macquarie
'UDSONS WITH AN 'H'
I remember an advertisement that used to finish with the slogan "'udsons – that's 'udsons with an 'H"'. There are some who feel the CT's letters pages are better on days "without an 'H"'.
B. Noble, Stirling
FAZED OR NOT?
Your report ("Hawks threat to ditch revenue raising", Sport, June 23, p19) refers to the Swans having their cost-of-living allowance "fazed out". No doubt this fazed them.
Michael Moore, Kaleen
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