No change in position on organised criminal group legislation in the ACT

This position is unchanged. Canberra is not considered to be a haven for organised crime. Advice from the Australian Crime Commission and ACT Police continues to be that we have not seen any major displacement of outlaw motorcycle gang activity in the ACT from surrounding jurisdictions. However, the ACT is not immune to the presence of outlaw motorcycle gang activity. The decision to develop policy options around consorting offences in relation to people convicted of serious criminal offences was made last year, prior to the recent incidents in the ACT. However, these incidents, along with others, do inform the government's law reform response.

The ACT government is very cognisant of the impact such laws have historically had on vulnerable people and will ensure any legislative measures responding to serious and organised crime are considered within the framework of the ACT's Human Rights Act. Any proposed laws will be carefully constructed to achieve that important balance between protecting the community and individual human rights.

Simon Corbell, Attorney-General, Canberra City

The editorial "Rush to bulldoze risks values" (Forum, February 21, p5) hit the nail on the head, observing, "Much of the public housing in the inner north and south is tired and rundown, and frequently afflicted by petty crime and broad social problems". The second part of the sentence delivers a universal truth. Public housing is inevitably afflicted, to a greater or lesser degree, by petty crime and broad social problems. If it is tired and rundown, that is a matter of maintenance and has little to do with design or location.

It is also axiomatic that such precincts will rise "steeply in value over the ... decades". This does not justify removal of the disadvantaged and dependent from sight to cheaper areas lacking ease of access to the services they need. It does not produce integrated, harmonious suburbs. It produces conflicting enclaves of privilege and disadvantage. The closing words are, "social and heritage values". They reside in the community rather than the architecture.

The bigger the project, the more one should hasten slowly.

Gary J. Wilson, MacGregor

Are elderly and disabled public housing tenants being consulted on what they may be offered in return for being forced out of their homes on Northbourne Avenue? There is a big difference between living in Northbourne Avenue with access to many amenities to being railroaded off to Monash or Chisholm. If you think otherwise, try jumping in a wheelchair and going from Monash to Civic and back. Why not give the aged and disabled living on Northbourne new flats on Northbourne? Do we have to squeeze the last dollar possible out of the site to the disadvantage of the disadvantaged.

Sophi Suttor, Narrabundah

Gai Brodtmann's declamatory statements ("Norfolk Island needs new governance model", Times2, February 18, p5) have a flashy attraction but, like many statements of the kind, disguise half the truth.

The Norfolk Island Act 1979 makes clear that the intention of the Commonwealth Parliament at that time was that Norfolk Island should move progressively towards internal self-government, with the Commonwealth's guidance and assistance. Subsequent Commonwealth governments, rather than encouraging this fledgling development, have not lived up to their commitments, have inhibited the development process, and generally scorned Norfolk Island for it failures. Promised reviews of the workings of the 1979 Act were never carried through by the Commonwealth.

The Norfolk Island Administration has not been permitted to use debt or bond financing for development without the Commonwealth's permission (which was never forthcoming). A stream of reports out of Canberra over the years has regularly criticised the island and its administration. Ms Brodtmann continues in this vein.

We can agree "economic, social and cultural sustainability and prosperity" are admirable goals. However, Ms Brodtmann seems to believe that wanting self-government is not sufficient reason for having it, even if those concerned are prepared to give up some other benefits to do so.

I would urge Ms Brodtmann to examine why it is that over half of Norfolk Islanders, roughly speaking, reject the Commonwealth's governance proposals for the island. Closer listening to a wider range of opinion on the island might also be helpful.

Chris Nobbs, Auckland, NZ

Shane Rattenbury was critical of the government's refusal to answer questions on the Lloyd Burch affair ("Watchdog considers Menslink affair", February 19, p1). "It's at moments like these, as much as I work with them, that I struggle to understand my ALP colleagues at times," he said. "I don't understand why the approach is to bunker down and not answer questions when they're asked. I don't understand why they fail to understand the community's right to have an explanation and to have questions answered."

Do I detect a note of frustration in Mr Rattenbury's plaintive wail? How soon he forgets that it was his vote that allowed the government to stymie further questioning by the opposition regarding allegations about bullying at CIT.

Patrick Reubinson, Bemboka, NSW

Rod Price (Letters, February 23) wonders whether I would "support subsidies for private taxi companies which allow the government to invest less in public transport".

If payment to taxi companies would result in reducing the total government expenditure on transportation, while maintaining the quality of public transportation, certainly I would support it. But that outcome would be unlikely.

Mike Dallwitz, Giralang

The old Australian adage that everyone deserves a fair go has run its course for the Prime Minister of this nation, Tony Abbott, and his controversial chief of staff Peta Credlin ("Trouble in Abbott's camp", February 24, p1). The acute level of dysfunction within the federal Liberal Party, which has become an implosive political force at its very core in reaction to the outright ideological extremism and self-serving managerial style of its leader, can no longer be sustained.

Reverend Dr Vincent Zankin, Rivett

Hugh Gibbon (Letters, February 20) wrote that it is the proper duty of government to levy sufficient revenue and then disperse it in terms of services and safety nets for the benefit of the people as a whole.

There are a couple of problems with that. Firstly, "the people" are not a whole – they are individuals all with different needs, wants, and beliefs, trying to improve their own lives and the lives of their families.

Secondly, while I see no problem with safety nets, people regard government services as essentially free, so demand for government services is infinite, while the revenue it can levy from Australia's producers is finite, therefore the government will some day run out of other people's money. That day is fast approaching.

D. Zivkovic, Aranda

Andrew Masterson's article on food miles ("The locavore food movement trumps organic for some, but not all", canberratimes.com.au, February 22) confuses a number of issues, like the possibility of under-investment in agriculture, or of lower quality produce, with the silly idea of food miles. Whatever distance food travels it must reach its destination at a low enough price to compete with fruit and vegetables available locally. Is it suggested that Australia should withdraw from exporting wheat or meat? Would it help local agriculture to eliminate these food miles? Why stop at food miles? We could ban overseas travel and reduce person miles.

Such unquestioning mush does no credit to The Canberra Times, nor to journalism.

Phil Bubb, Reid

Your report on legal action being taken against Japanese newspaper Asahi to force it to apologise for reporting the existence of military brothels established by the Japanese army in occupied territories in World War II ("Japan revisionists demand 'comfort women' newspaper apology", canberratimes.com.au) has a direct relevance in Australia.

The brothels were staffed in the main by so-called "comfort women" who in many instances were forced to act as prostitutes or were enslaved for the purposes of sex.

The Japanese Army occupied Christmas Island from March 1942 until August 1945, establishing a brothel there staffed by women taken from Java by the Japanese armed forces. The facts of the establishment on Christmas Island of a military brothel have not been rigorously researched, publicly acknowledged or appropriately responded to.

The continuing struggle by women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese forces to receive a formal and unconditional apology from the Japanese Government is an issue Australia has a direct stake in. It happened in our country.

The practice of the Commonwealth in its administration of the island in neglecting not just this dark chapter in the Territories past but indeed all of its history and heritage needs to be addressed.

Jon Stanhope, Bruce

I have just read the English translations of the letters Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran wrote on January 27 to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. It is clear that they have had life-changing experiences, and, from within the prison, have made major changes in the lives of many fellow prisoners. Both men ask to continue serving their life sentences and be given opportunities to see their work grow.

Their contrition and rehabilitation is not a pretence. Many non-prisoners have witnessed the transformation in those who are still in prison. Indonesia has shown clear leadership here. Now it has a great chance to show the world how education and the reform of individuals can combat the drug menace destroying all societies at all levels. This is why many world leaders have spoken out against proceeding with the death penalty. Putting bullets through the hearts of rehabilitated ex-drug couriers is not a useful way forward. Australia and Indonesia must now co-operate to strengthen their relationship in this and many other areas.

Noel Haberecht, Ainslie

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has invited all European Jews to migrate to Israel to avoid the treatment some are receiving "only because they are Jews".

He conveniently ignores the daily murders, imprisonments (often of children), house demolitions and cruelty in his own country by his soldiers and settlers of Palestinians, which occur "only because they are Palestinians".

Of course Jews deserve protection in any country, but so do Palestinians, especially in their own country.

Gwenyth Bray, Belconnen

If Jacqui Lambie wants to stop Australian consumers funding Middle Eastern terrorism, she should drop her anti-halal certification campaign and instead promote a parliamentary bill boycotting the importation of Saudi Arabian oil and petroleum products. The Saudi Arabian elite are the source of much of the funding for Wahhabism, its preachers and the resulting extremist Islamist ideologies, as well as providing most of the 9/11 hijackers. I'm confident that our Prime Minister, who is a staunch opponent of terrorism, would be pleased to lend his support.

A. Moore, Melba

Like many people, my life entails looking at screens most of most days and a half of most nights. It doesn't take much imagination to regard doggedly looking at a screen, of any size, while walking in even scattered crowds, cycling, or driving, as asking for trouble, and many have what it takes. Unfortunately, others don't.

After many close encounters, and despite all caution, it seems only a matter of time before I have an accident because someone else had insufficient imagination for this purpose. Either we have an enforced law against such dangerous behaviour, or a cheery dispensation for the footpath and road rage it induces.

Ian Clark, Reid

Andrew Humphreys (Letters, February 23) calls on the Australian War Memorial to preserve guns mouldering in towns and suburbs – trophies of the Great War. Though I spent 32 years working in museums, I do not believe that spending money restoring the weapons of the Great War tells us much about that war and why it might be remembered. Conservation costs a fortune but the gun is silent on the war's meaning.

Spend money stimulating education, understanding and debate, not on trophies. Preserving guns not in its collection is no part of the Memorial's remit, and a well-funded federal agency doing so would mean nothing. If communities value these guns, let them preserve them. That so many are deteriorating perhaps tells us they are not as significant as Mr Humphreys imagines.

Peter Stanley, president, Honest History, Dickson

As a man who was once a boy, I know that World War I howitzers and cannons, placed in many a public space all those years ago, are of interest to youngsters because they are guns, and not reminders of the horror of that conflict. The effect is to stimulate fascination in the young mind for machines of war and, sadly, that will be the effect of the latest artillery display at the War Museum.

J. Ellis, Weetangera

PARTISAN APPROACH

Mark Sproat (Letters, February 23) claims that Canberra Times letter writers would be critical of Tony Abbott if he found a cure for cancer. He is probably right, because the Abbott cure would probably only be affordable to wealthy Australians, but it would be funded through a co-payment by the poorest.

Tony Judge, Belconnen

TESTING FRIENDSHIP

Waleed Aly's article focusing on our broader relationship with Indonesia in the context of diplomacy, capital punishment and the drug trade ("How to lose friends over Bali", Times2, February 20, p5) was excellent. It is depressing, though, to find far more common sense and awareness in his article than many of our politicians seem able to muster.

Peter Dark, Queanbeyan, NSW

WODEN'S WOES

If Woden town centre and, in particular, Westfield Woden wants toencourage people to visit, it might care to review the parking charges. Recently my wife and a friend went tothe movies and the shops on a weekend. For the privilege of parkingbetween approximately midday and 5pm, it cost my wife's friend $18. Funnily enough, they did not go to Woden the next time they met up for a movie and a spot of shopping.

Malcolm Paterson, Greenleigh, NSW

MATES TO THE RESCUE

So Tony Abbott can't recall suggesting troops be sent to the Middle East independently. This report coming to Rupert Murdoch's broadsheet allegedly from a cabinet member. Tell you what, Tony; my mates and I will pack your Canberra AFP motel room and Kirribilli House for pre-budget rates.

Linus Cole, Palmerston

LOYALTY APPLAUDED

Good on Peta Credlin for staying put. And good on Tony Abbott for sticking to his guns and not giving in to the nervous nellies on the backbench who want him to sack Peta Credlin and Joe Hockey. They should take their ball, go off with Malcolm to another playing field, and let the professionals get on with the job.

Zillah Williams, Latham

WORSE YET TO COME?

The worst English cricket performance in 150 years? Hopefully not.

Peter Harris, Evatt

FAREWELL FEES

I agree with Bill Bowron (Letters, February 23) regarding estate duties and the desirability of calling them something other than "death duties" – let's call them a "farewell fee".

Iven Spicer, Ngunnawal

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