The USA has overtaken Saudi Arabia as the world's largest producer.

To find an export market without dramatically reducing prices, the USA has strangled Iran's economy by placing sanctions on its oil exports, falsely claiming Iran was the cause of Middle Eastern political instability.

The Trump administration last month ending the exemptions granted to eight big oil importers of Iranian oil, including India, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

An example of the impact is India, the world's third-largest oil importer and Iran's second-largest customer behind China, which has dramatically changed its purchases. Indian imports from the US have averaged more than 180,000 barrels a day over the past six months, a 350 per cent increase on the 40,000 barrels in the same period a year earlier.

During the same period India's imports from Iran halved and with the sanctions re-imposed, will soon be down to zero.

The real reason for America's withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal was to create an excuse for significantly increasing US oil company profits and Saudi purchases of American military equipment.

The Australian government should strongly support the remaining countries in their continuation of the nuclear agreement because, as confirmed by the UN, Iran was observing the conditions.

World peace and prosperity is far more important than increased profits for the US oil producers who support Trump.

If Bill Deane (Letters, July 9) took a less jaundiced and pejorative view of the Uluru Statement, he might realise that most informed commentary regards it as graceful and eloquent, noted for its "succinct and powerful wording".

He might also check the record and he will find that it was adopted by an overwhelming majority of the 250 Indigenous representatives present and endorsed by a standing ovation with only a "small number" (Fairfax) leaving before the final resolution was adopted.

Bill Deane seems to think that an Indigenous vote needs to be uniquely unanimous before it's acceptable.

Furthermore, if he reads the latest Closing the Gap report he will find also that, despite some progress being made, there is still significant and unacceptable disadvantage in key areas such as Indigenous health, education and opportunity.

Instead of railing that "race should have no place in the Constitution", Bill Deane might consider the Uluru proposal as enabling all Australians to embrace and enshrine the world's oldest continuing culture and has nothing to do with "race" but everything to do with long overdue fairness.

It is appropriate for The Canberra Times to question the adequacy of the City Renewal Authority's plans ("ACT Government plans to transform Canberra's inner north show many gaps", canberratimes.com.au, July 8).

Mr Barr is correct in saying "great cities don't succeed by accident or by leaving things to chance; they require outstanding design, good governance and outstanding collaboration".

However, his stewardship is providing no such benefits. The urban design is mundane; planning and development decisions are evidence free (light rail, planning strategy, greenfields land purchases) while community concerns are ignored.

Mr Barr is under the misapprehension placing higher density housing along a light rail route constitutes a coherent planning strategy.

The government could be accused of manipulating the market to achieve its unjustified high density targets by (a) undersupplying detached dwellings (b) increasing congestion, a consequence of ineffective actions to reduce travel including dispersing employment and promoting working from home and (c) ineffective action to reduce housing costs.

Equally plausible is that it is incompetent, arrogant and lazy, unable or unwilling to undertake the necessary analysis to ensure Canberra is a great city.

The government needs to demonstrate how its density target optimises social, economic and environmental sustainability objectives including how high rise apartments meet the needs of households with children

Must we put up with this paranoia the conservatives seem to have about advocating enquiries and legislative "bullying" of the trade union movement.

Unfortunately it is the same old hysterical, historical conservative rhetoric the community has had to put up with for the past 30 years. It is unacceptable and we must put a stop to it.

It would be far more productive if our Federal government showed respect for all those hard working Australian people who contribute to our economy and society.

When it comes to trade unions (and attacks on journalists), would somebody also remind this government we are a democracy.

Free assembly, free associations and free speech are an integral part of the process. Yes, democracy is messy, but can we please have some sensible, adult behaviour within Federal politics; some sensible legislation that contributes to improving our democratic structures, and not legislation that undermines a free society, free associations and institutions.

If the Federal government is keen on "punitive legislation" could I suggest they focus their attention on implementing some legislation based on the outcomes of the Banking Royal Commission.

The Trade union movement is not the enemy within the economy.

I'm concerned. Not by any perceived threat to religious freedom or free speech: Not at all. My concern is that extensive media coverage recently in regard to the Israel Folau issue could reflect negatively on the underlying positive message of Christianity.

The whole theme of the New Testament is love. Surely this is what living the Christian life is all about: unconditional love (the good Samaritan); forgiveness (the prodigal son); and compassion (healing of the sick, blind and lame).

The great majority of Christians I know try to live according to these principles.

We don't always succeed but most of us try.

Not entirely diplomatic, but totally refreshing, were the candid remarks from a high level diplomat about a world leader.

The words of criticism from Sir Kim Darroch of the current US President, based on his diplomatic experiences, were both accurate and appropriate. A compelling example for everyone.

Can we look forward to equally candid revelations about our own political leaders?

The Senate is the house of review. Could it not also serve as the place where the voice of our first nations' people is heard with respect.

If each state and territory elected a first nations senator every three years that group of eight should be delegated by the constitution to examine the impact of all legislation passing through the Parliament on our first nation people.

To nominate for these special Senate seats I suggest a person must be able to demonstrate their first nation roots according to a suitably high standard.

All electors, not just first nation people, should vote for their state or territory's first nations senator. It would legitimise these first nations senators voting with equal authority and responsibility to any other senator.

Last year Senator Ian Macdonald chaired the Senate's Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee to consider a David Leyonjhelm bill which would have removed Commonwealth barriers to the legalisation, regulation and taxation of cannabis.

The bill was not supported by the AMA, the RACGP, Painaustralia, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation or Western Australia Police.

During the second reading the deputy government senate whip said: "There are numerous reasons why this bill cannot be supported... the first is increased harm to users..... (the Department of Health) said while many Australians may view cannabis as harmless, almost a quarter of Australia's drug and alcohol treatment services are being provided to people identifying cannabis as their principal drug of concern."

Senator D. Farrell said "Labor does not support this bill, primarily because Labor does not support the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use".

Why does Michael Pettersson, a local Labor MLA fly in the face of medical and police opinion and his own Federal counterparts ?

Unlike the thirty-four Essendon players and James Hird, Mark "Bomber" Thompson was fortunate to get his day in court in front of a real court of law acting under the normal rules of evidence and to be found not guilty of drug trafficking charges. I long for the day the single supplement charge laid against the Bombers faces a real court.

Therese van Pelt-Penders (Letters, July 11) asks about stopping the pesky marketing calls, presumably from Nicole. When my landline rings I don't answer if it displays "private", "overseas" or a number I don't recognise. If it is important they will leave a message.

Will constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians result in utopian villages in remote communities? Will there be less domestic violence and child abuse? Unlikely. But there is no doubt it will divide Australians .

Those of us who have lived here a long time understand Canberra is not perfect but love it anyway. The treachery of R. Salmond's musings was a perplexing surprise. If his frustrations with Canberra are so compelling he is free to forgo the fresh air, clean water and abundant nature and take his bile elsewhere.

I see Andrew Barr is off on another overseas jaunt ("Mr Fluffy loan, fine art on Andrew Barr's agenda for $47k overseas trip", canberratimes.com.au, July 11) for 10 days. Wow. 10 days in Singapore and London for $47,000. My wife and I have just done seven weeks in Europe, via Singapore, for less than $10,000.

During the 1968 drought in Canberra the frost would settle on your windscreen by 10 pm. A couple of sheets from The Canberra Times, held in place by the wipers, kept the windscreen free of frost.

Judy McLelland (Letters, July 8) bemoans the "biased" tennis television coverage. Another article refers to snubs re the coverage of Ash Barty's matches. The BBC lets viewers choose which match they want to watch, either live or from the start of the match. Yes, all matches are broadcast live. Australia simply stuffed up digital TV. I wonder why?

Australians aren't used to seeing their leaders mixing politics and religion. Scott Morrison at Hillsong has legitimised that the Liberal Party is officially his "broad church". God help the moderates in the party who want a voice.

In the current discussion on freedom of speech the difference between personal opinion and religious faith should be clearly spelt out. The case sparking the debate is a personal opinion, not a Christian belief. Jesus would never have had such hurtful ideas.

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