Long ago we had the razor gang. Later, obfuscating hypocrisy set in, and the idea was renamed "efficiency dividend". University departments were to lose members of staff. In some instances this was prevented because one or a few members of academic staff forwent part of their salary in order not to lose a colleague.
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This time the crisis is not created by the government, but by the virus. But the old remedy could be tried again. Highly paid staff could be allowed to make a salary saving of five per cent, say, and less well-paid ones a smaller percentage.
Of course, some would find excuses and refuse to participate. But no doubt many would be willing to help; especially if the higher-paid non-academic staff set an example.
Thomas Mautner, Griffith
Death of a basin
I was distressed to read of the final decision to proceed with the ACT government's plans for West Basin. It marks the death of the Walter Burley Griffin vision for Canberra's lake and that basin, and the destruction of its foreshores, after a decade-long community battle.
After cutting down 120 trees, and filling in almost three hectares of the lake with rocks and soil, the government plans to construct a 500 metre concrete boardwalk and an, as yet unannounced, number of private apartments on the gravesite.
In lieu of flowers, could mourners please direct their votes in the forthcoming election to anyone but members of the current ACT government, and particularly to candidates who have publicly promised to try and limit the West Basin damage.
Ann Kent, Forrest
Woeful neglect
I agree with Alison Chapple (Letters, September 17) about the neglect of our suburbs by the Labor-Greens government.
Some of our street lights in Belconnen are still broken. There are uneven footpaths and empty backyards full of weeds and junk. They have reduced local bus services on weekends and increased the taxes we pay.
The government hasn't learnt a thing when it comes to proper maintenance in our suburbs. I say it's time to get rid of the current old Labor Government.
Anton Rusanov, Kaleen
A short explainer
Here is a short summary of various voters' voting intentions for the upcoming ACT election.
Masochists will vote for the Labor Party, optimists will favour the Liberals, the Greens are the dreamers' choice, the gamblers will try their luck with the independents, and the very few realists left will be taking steps to emigrate to New Zealand .
Mario Stivala, Belconnen
Trump predictable
It is not surprising Trump blames forest mismanagement rather than the "turbocharging" effect of global warming for the terrible wildfires that have destroyed whole towns and countless hectares of forest in California, Oregon and Washington.
Mr Trump told Wade Crowfoot, California's secretary for natural resources, "It'll start getting cooler, you just watch". Mr Crowfoot responded "I wish science agreed with you", to which that great polymath, Donald Trump, replied "Well, I don't think science knows, actually".
Mr Trump reaffirmed his vast knowledge when he commented in Sacramento: "When trees fall down after a short period of time, about 18 months, they become very dry. They become really like a match stick. They just explode.".
And this is the man who "leads" the world's greatest military power.
Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin
Change is inevitable
While I am not entirely chuffed by some of the changes that have occurred in the ACT during the 15 years I have lived here, I do find the constant whingeing from the "old guard" who continually lament the loss of the "good old days" more than a little tedious.
I am sure the Canberra of 20 years ago was very different to the Canberra of 40 years ago and so on. Get with it people; the one constant is change.
M Moore, Bonython
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