Laura Hakkinen (Letters, September 2) seems to believe the ACT government bears no responsibility for the substandard condition of our roads, potholes and all, and our footpaths, many of which should require decent accident insurance cover before taking to them.
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She fondly believes that, while one motorist is surveying the damage to his or her suspension, wheels, or other car parts after going over a particularly large pothole, our all-wise municipal authorities are busy correcting similar damage in other locations.
She also believes that, where we see utilities or other service providers doing damage to footpaths, we should complain to those organisations and demand they rectify the damage.
There are some large potholes in Ms Hakkinen's reasoning. First, if there was anything like a decent roads maintenance program under way, roads would be repaired and upgraded before the potholes appeared. And the ACT government requires service providers to repair damage done to footpaths in the course of their work. And pet owners are supposed to pick up their pet's droppings.
But for all the money collected from us by the ACT government, we never get proactive enforcement of municipal laws. Why? Because the ACT government is too busy wasting our money on its own pipe dreams.
It seems Ms Hakkinen will always forgive Barr and company for their sins of omission or commission. That means they will always get away with it.
Michael and Christine O'Loughlin, Canberra
A top effort from leaders
No matter your political persuasion the daily performance of our chief minister, health minister and the ACT chief health officer when updating the Canberra community on COVID-19 is deserving of our admiration. They have delivered simple, consistent, honest and repeated messages as they so obviously and genuinely give their best efforts in an extremely difficult situation to caring for our whole community.
Marion McConnell, Giralang
Gender pay gap not simple
John Coochey (Letters, September 2) thinks the gender pay gap is due to male workers working longer hours than women. Wrong. The gender pay gap is calculated on the ordinary hours earnings of full-time workers, not including overtime.
Marian Sawer, Phillip
Excellent advice
As a parent, I really appreciated Dr Blanche Verlie's suggestions for discussing climate change with kids ("How to talk to kids about climate crisis", canberratimes.com.au, August 31). Climate change is genuinely scary but it is less so when we accept our feelings, talk openly about it, and start to take action. Like many others, my family has found taking steps to reduce our impact has made us feel more in control. Spending time outside enjoying nature also helps.
Amy Hiller, Kew, Victoria
Inconsistency on advice
So, we are to be locked down for a further two weeks to September 17. The ACT COVID-19 website indicated there would be a staged reopening of the construction industry under stringent COVID-19 safe requirements from September 3 but with the details undefined. In contrast this website clearly defines the requirements on residents.
I note that the construction industry has stated that it would "actively encourage" their employees to comply with regulations that were undefined. A rather empty statement. A spokesman said it was "already feeling the effects of the lockdown". Only them? So are we.
We should ask why this particular group of people are getting apparently favoured treatment when others are also significantly feeling the effect of the lockdown.
Trish Brown, Acton
Criticism was correct
Sue Dyer (Letters, September 1) was spot on in calling out the construction industry and its record. A standout letter in amongst the general run of bellyaching that we are starting to get used to seeing over the last week or so. I (and I'm not the first) am just wondering how many of these bellyachers' names will end up on the ballot paper?
