But a national scheme would be far more efficient and effective than the current proposal to have one for each state and territory in Australia. I work mainly in the ACT and NSW, but occasionally in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia.

My experience so far on registering is that the extra red tape and fees are significant. Individual state and territory registrations of engineers will push up their price to cover the red tape and will also reduce competition. The Institution of Engineers already has a national accreditation scheme for engineers.

Albo's idea of national drivers' licences gives me hope.

The Australian Conservation Foundation, and conservationists generally, are justifiably concerned about the federal government's push to further reduce environmental regulations and restrictions on major projects, especially land management, mining and large-scale urban development projects ("Concern after PM pledges green tape cuts ahead of review", June 16, p9).

The government's underlying philosophy seems to be "let nothing stand in the way of development and the quest for maximum profit". One can only hope that these people will come to realise they are biting - indeed chewing off - the hand that feeds them: Mother Nature.

In a recent column, Ian Warden described the US as "the leader of the free world". That's no longer so. The narcissistic five-year old masquerading as their president quickly introduced a policy of "America first and stuff the rest".

The cornerstone of Australia's national security is no longer reliable. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning the US will "simply disconnect" with Australia if Victoria's deal with China impinges upon telecommunications security? (Perhaps he doesn't know that Pine Gap is a joint facility).

What's more, Trump's capricious dealings with China are a threat. Firstly, if we're seen by China to be a close-but-vulnerable ally of the US (but one the US won't come to the aid of) they can take things out on us. Secondly, Trump's got the codes to start a nuclear war.

I'd say it's not beyond him to fire something at them if he feels insulted and/or bested by them. If that happens we're in deep trouble.

How much of a threat to Australia's national security is Donald Trump?

Imagine, Ian Warden, if Whitlam had not, on February 14, 1975, announced the Imperial Honours would be replaced by the Order of Australia ("Imagine, no gongs ... it's easy if you try", June 14, p15).

Maybe we would have Knights and Dames, OBEs and MBEs handed out to every Tony, Bronwyn and Philip. However, we do have our own system.

While the panel may have political learnings, the heart of these awards lies in the "ordinary people" who have contributed to the fabric of our nation. They do not seek out the honour, rather they are humbled by it.

Political office should not in itself be the only factor warranting nomination. Civic service is a unique privilege. Giving of one's self without seeking reward is the quality we should all recognise.

Each Australia Day and second Monday in June should be a time for reflection and a renewed willingness to consider nominating someone.

It seems passing strange the old curmudgeon Ian Warden is given so much column space to vent his spleen. Last week it was three former Liberal MPs who were the subject of his demeaning, left-wing biased vitriol.

Each of those, particularly Tony Abbott, have contributed far more to Australia than your columnist ever will. When was the last time Mr Warden turned out with the RFS or donned the uniform associated with surf life savers? I may malign the gentleman, but my guess is that the answer would be "never".

Why does he have to regale Canberrans with the weekly tripe he seems to consider smart, popular, totally correct and sacrosanct?

Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message field, not as an attachment. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.

Keep your letter to 250 or fewer words. References to The Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published).

To send a letter via the online form, click or touch here.