One case stands out: the so-called dangers of AstraZeneca. The percentage of unexpected brain clots (over and above the normal numbers of cases), possibly attributable to AstraZeneca, is miniscule compared to the percentage of deaths from COVID-19. If the logic of this can cut through the hesitancy to take the vaccine would surely be greatly reduced. I've had my AZ vaccination. I'd rather take that tiny risk than the much greater risk of serious health consequences if I caught the virus.

No Alison Chapple (Letters, June 14) "we" weren't wrong. While you may have voted for self-government, the majority of us were "right" and voted against it. Our vote was ignored and self-government was bestowed upon us.

Cheer up, the dream life prior to self-government, where the rest of Australia paid for most of our services, wouldn't have lasted no matter how we voted. At least now we are responsible for deciding our own priorities for our budget. While self-government allows us to decide to fund the obsolete tram over more social housing, sadly it did not give us all the same rights as those in the states.

We cannot determine the right to key life issues such as voluntary assisted dying. Canberrans pay more under self-government for lower standards of services while still having fewer rights than other Australians living in states.

Unlike Alison Chapple (Letters, June 14) I voted against ACT self-government 30 years ago, but she's perfectly described the outcome. Bob Hawke's response to the referendum at the time was reminiscent of the war memorial's response to public consultation; we were overwhelmingly against both propositions, but we got them anyway.

What are the things we do to bring non-compliant development applications to account in the ACT, often where planning authority ACTPLA has missed items. The normal process is we take it to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) for a hearing, decision by an ACAT member, and orders/directions given. Sounds fair.

But no. In this case in a street in Braddon, the developer has then conducted the work to completion ignoring five of the orders (Building height, tree removal, driveway entrance, a code), then applies for amendments to the non-compliant work already done (seeking forgiveness). Knock it down and start again with a fine. They chose to overthrow the orders.

Although I know that the Morrison government had no option but to prop up the economy during the pandemic last year I am extremely concerned that this debt is going to hang around the necks of our children and grandchildren for decades to come.

To help alleviate this debt problem I propose that the current federal government do the humane thing, by immediately releasing the Murugappan Family (Biloela Family currently being held on Christmas Island) and all refugees still held in detention. Thus the vast cost of depriving these people of their freedom would be abolished and Australian taxpayers could see their taxes being directed towards projects which would help reduce the enormous debt.

Interesting article by Michael Hiltzik in the Times of June 12 on the origins of COVID-19, whether from a leak from a laboratory or from the wild. The issue raises important scientific and ideological issues. But as Michael points out most pandemics come from the wild.

Many expert studies and the UN point out that as we disrupt biodiversity more and more the chances of pandemic outbreaks grow. Labor's national platform commits Australia to play an active role on international biodiversity conservation because of the pandemic biodiversity link. The whole world needs to do work on protecting the natural environment for a range of reasons including the prevention of pandemics. Australia and the world also needs to work with China on global issues such as climate change and biodiversity and not indulge in dangerous sabre rattling with that critical country.

Wayne Grant (Letters, June 11) asked how I can "justify [my] grand claim that 'working from home would have led to improved family life and personal relationships'". First, it was not a "grand claim", it was meant to be more of a suggestion: I should have written "could" instead of "would". I also omitted to stress that I was referring to working from home during COVID-19 restrictions.

Mr Grant fails to cite the source of his "statistics", fails to specify how many years the world has "socially and economically changed so dramatically", and makes seven "grand claims" in his pseudo-arguments about families, children, relationships, government actions, and "the economic and social past".

Mr Grant goes on to claim that "What we are seeing around the world however, due to the massive ageism taking place in developed and developing societies, is a lot more doddery old farts trying to recreate past dreams". Mr Grant confused "ageism" with "ageing", quite different concepts. His "crowning glory" is to imply that I am one of his "doddery old farts" who confuses imagination with reality. Using insulting language has no place in reasoned debate.

Darnella Frazier, the teenage girl who recorded the brutal police murder of George Floyd with her mobile phone, has been recognised by the arbiters of the highest honours in US journalism ("Pulitzer honour US teen for Floyd video", June 12). Darnella had "no professional experience in the field" but her spontaneous reaction to record the unfolding police brutality is a clear demonstration of the power of citizen journalism. Darnella's honour is well deserved and should inspire others.

Instead of allowing the construction of stultifying, intrusive, and inappropriate blocks of private flats, and office buildings on the "clover-leaf" open spaces at City Hill south-west, as currently proposed by the City Renewal Authority, why not encourage the installation of something more celebratory, and people-inclusive, like a Ferris wheel reaching a height of 617 metres above sea level (the maximum height of buildings permitted in Civic - the level of Parliament House's top roof). It would be a dynamic visual counterpoint to the Captain Cook water jet. More vision please, CRA.

Australian workers have the misfortune to be caught in a pincer movement between Morrison's prosperity theology - Hockey's "lifters and leaners" - and ruthless multinational, Amazon, whose modus operandi crusades to repel worker unionising ("Amazon grilled over underpayments and spying on workers", June 11).

Vaccines are in the news and it seems that, when effective, they offer hope and salvation.

Could a vaccine be developed to inoculate our federal politicians? Such a vaccine might prevent the rapid development and lingering effects of heartless bastardry. It might also deal with the uncontrollable and intermittent tremors associated with debt and deficit anxiety. It might also improve our politicians' verbal incontinence - the condition that forces them to empty their vowels by dissembling and obfuscating. It might help them gain clearer vision so that they can see the looming threat of uncontrollable climate change.

A strong dose, or a daily top-up, might even provide protection against the national embarrassment that is question time.

What a pity that Sandor Siro doesn't get the principle behind the government's "stop the boats" policy (Letters June 12). The boats stopped coming because the government made it absolutely clear that no illegal immigrants (like the Biloela family) would be allowed to remain in Australia. Sandor may believe that principle is wrong but clearly the majority of Australians don't.

I SAY OLD CHAP

I say, Mark Kenny, old chap ("Ground is shifting under the PM", Focus, June 13) if you must refer to Boris as "Etonian", kindly prefix the word with "scholarship", got to be honestly accurate, eh, what?

AO FOR ANYONE

If Peta Credlin can get an AO then anyone can get one.

SERVICE TO WHO

So Peta Credlin gets an AO for: "distinguished service to Parliament and politics, to policy development, and to the executive function of government". She distinguished herself all right, but it might have been more deserving had the gong been for "services to News Corp".

DESERVING OF MORE

I agree with Phil Creaser's comments (June 11) about funding other institutions and the waste of money on the AWM. I just hope that with all the millions that are being thrown around that some is set aside for the homeless in this city.

MOTTO FOR OUR GAMES

If Brisbane is confirmed for the 2032 Olympic Games, I suggest the following slogan to attract national and international visitors to Queensland: "Last Chance to See the Great Barrier Reef".

WOULD THAT BE RACIST?

Bob McDonald (Letters, June 14) suggests Bob Salmond could live in China if he is so enamoured with the way of life. I could say the same of migrants who do not adapt to Australia - but that would be racist, wouldn't it?

'VISION' MEETS REALITY

If, as claimed, Griffin, and later the NCDC, always intended a tram to travel down the wide central median strip of Northbourne Avenue, how did they intend the tram to get across the lake? Or, did their 1960s "future provision" thinking stop at Civic?

WHAT WOULD HE DO?

Why did the former minister for au pairs decide to make such an (obscenely expensive) issue out of one family? Prime Minister, WWJD? (Hint: Mat 25:31-46; Heb 13: 1-3). And what if it was your girls?

MARVELOUS MEDICINE

I'm so over climate change that I thought I might get a jab and marvel about the wonders of science.

TWO COMMENTS TO MAKE

Regarding Bob Salmond's letter of June 11, I would make just two comments. Despite her problems India is a great democracy; and two, if China was a democracy, not only would the Chinese people benefit, but the whole world would be a better place.

CLEVER COWS

Seen recently on signs on the outer fence of a poultry farm in Victoria: in large capital letters "Danger. Do not approach livestock guarding dogs". Strange, but I didn't see any sign of cattle. And the large dogs in each of the separate pens didn't seem to be in the least worried about the hens!

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