Letter writer DICK BAUCH, of Latham, wants harsher penalties for companies losing customer details to hackers.

I’ve received a note from my electricity provider informing me that a third party may have my name, address, date of birth, phone number, the BSB and last three digits of my bank account, the last four digits of a credit card, and details of my account.

This hacker knows more about me than my kids.

It happens too often. Recently, a sizable pathology group, a major telco, an important health fund, an iconic national airline and the largest non-bank consumer lender in Australia have given away data.

To access an online account these days, users need an email address, a mobile phone for the code they’ll receive, and a password too large to fit on a Post-It note stuck to the side of the monitor. If we consumers are pulling our weight, why aren’t these large companies?

Harsher penalties, please.

Dick Bauch, Latham

Incompetent or is this what government wants?

At a recent Assembly Committee Infrastructure Canberra claimed buses would have considerably longer travel times than light rail on the intertown public transport route to Woden.

The claim was based on an assumption that buses would be operating in general traffic. The true comparison would be with Bus Rapid transport (BRT) operating on its own right of way.

It is alarming that Infrastructure Canberra would make this claim as it indicates it is either incompetent or only providing advice to the government that the government wants to hear.

Why can’t the government and Infrastructure Canberra provide a genuine comparison? Perhaps the result would not be favourable to light rail.

Given the financial position of the Territory, infrastructure projects should only proceed when they are justified. 

Light rail could be costing the Canberra community hundreds of millions more than necessary to meet transport and city development objectives.

Mike Quirk, Garran

Cemetery map should lead the way

Woden Cemetery is one of Canberra’s best-kept public spaces. The grounds are immaculate, the gardens are beautifully maintained, and the staff clearly take pride in presenting a place of peace and dignity for visitors.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the online cemetery map.

Recently, I visited to locate a particular grave using the cemetery’s website. The map legend appeared logical enough, but once on site it bore little resemblance to the physical layout.

After wandering around for some time, I was fortunate to encounter a groundsman who knew the cemetery well and promptly directed me to the grave.

It made me wonder how many family members, historians and genealogists have experienced the same frustration. For many, a cemetery visit is an emotional occasion, not one that should begin with confusion.

This is not a criticism of the dedicated staff, who were exceptionally helpful, but rather a suggestion that the online mapping be reviewed and updated to accurately reflect the cemetery’s layout. It would be a small investment that would make a significant difference for everyone visiting one of Canberra’s most respectfully maintained public places.

David Evered, via email

Ironically, Faruqi ignited this racist conundrum

While I don’t agree with Pauline Hanson’s racist outbursts, I also don’t agree with the recent court decision that Hanson racially discriminated against Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi.

Just hours after the death of the Queen, in 2022, Senator Faruqi, posted that she could not mourn the death of the Queen and labelled her as a “leader of a racist empire”.

Hanson’s response, “piss off back to Pakistan”, resulted in Faruqi taking Hanson to court under the Racial Discrimination Act.

The court ruling would suggest that one form of racism is more acceptable than the other.

Ironically, it was Senator Faruqi who ignited this whole racist conundrum, calling Britain a “racist empire” inherently inciting hate against another race.

Faruqi is happy to enjoy all the benefits of British institutes and systems – she earned a doctorate in environmental engineering from the UNSW and receives a $233,660 base salary as a senator in a parliament based on the Westminster system!

Fundamental to Hanson’s remarks is a more serious issue – and the answer is not sending back migrants to ‘’where they came from” but ensuring that they don’t bring their historic hate with them to Australia.

Declan McGrath, Gordon

Rates up and library services down

I have received a notice from Libraries ACT advising that “opening hours will change from August 27. We understand that changes to opening hours may affect some routines, particularly for members who use libraries in the evenings or on Sundays”. 

In my case, this reduction in opening hours means I can no longer visit and use the Civic Library on a Saturday as I usually do.

The annual rates notice from the ACT Revenue Office always goes in the other direction, that is, it expands. Rates up and library services down – not good!

Murray May, Cook

Government gives free plugs to a chosen few

The ACT Government’s monthly Our Canberra newsletter advertises selected businesses, and thus gives them a competitive advantage over other businesses.

Unlike other publishers, the government does not appear to charge a fee for its advertisements.

The July Our Canberra, for example, included a link to “A guide to winter dining in Canberra”. The guide advertised 19 restaurants. 

I asked the Chief Minister what plans he had to provide equal publicity for Canberra’s other restaurants. 

His office replied: “This is a common approach and more of this content across a broad range of topics can be found on the Our CBR website.” The anonymous reply gave as examples The Bookworm’s Guide to Canberra, Your Guide to Enjoying the Colder Months in Canberra, Canberra’s Best Hot Chips and Canberra’s Best Breakfast Spots.

Apparently, the only criterion for this free advertising is recommendations from Instagrammers who follow We Are CBR.

Leon Arundell, Downer

Oh, for a less-destructive light rail route 

The ACT’s draft Southern Gateway Plan proposes intensive property development, and hence higher land prices and rates, along the extended stage 2B light rail route from Parliament House to Mawson. The Commonwealth Park to Capital Hill section is not included in the Plan, presumably because it’s under the Commonwealth’s planning and development controls.

The tram is planned to “shoot through” that section on the shortest route. However, in the process the iconic bifurcated Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and that avenue’s superb cultural landscape will be ruined, and we’ll get a gaping latecomer in the form of an expensive State Circle-connecting tunnel right on the Capital Hill view axis. 

The Commonwealth needs to work with and assist the ACT to realise, optimise, and increase the intrinsic national values available in a better and non-destructive 2B route in the subject Central National Area. 

It should see the southbound tram travelling from Commonwealth Park across Acton Waterfront, on to Acton Peninsula with its major national attractions and the potential for more (like a cable car to the base of soon-to-be-refurbished Black Mountain Tower), over the lake on Griffin’s missing curving crossing, on to Flynn Drive, then along open Langton Crescent closer to many famous national attractions, across the National Triangle say, just south of Old Parliament House in clear level view of the new one, through the growing employment centre of Barton (in the CNA) and on to Woden.

Jack Kershaw, Kambah 

Husic should been allowed to speak

The recent Labor conference should’ve allowed debate on Ed Husic’s concerns and made a resolution on the matter, even if highly qualified. The approach of the major parties needs to be even-handed and reflect society. 

One of the concerns in the Muslim world is that Israel seems to be receiving special treatment. We see this in the US and now even in Australia. This causes tensions. All nations and all people should be treated equally.

Israel may argue that its people suffered terribly in October 2023. And they did. Muslims can argue the shoe is now on the other foot. In Gaza alone 75,000 people have died; recent events in the West Bank are shocking.

I react to verified information as do many others, including Mr Husic. Those really aggrieved may well protest. We see this even in India now. Governments need to do better. Aside from this, it may help at the polls.

Herman van de Brug, Holt 

Could we elect a ‘competent’ government?

Columnist Robert McMahon (CN July 30) identifies the obvious issue with the high protest polling for One Nation, but could we elect the “confident and competent” government that he recommends, let alone endure the consequences of facing up to the hard truths.

We are an ageing nation with low productivity and high underlying inflation, and we are divided culturally. We have brought it upon ourselves over the last 60 years, so it is a generational matter.

The birth rate has declined steadily from 222 births per thousand population per year in 1960 to 118 births in 2020. Minors, pampered and undisciplined, are now more likely to be noted for their political activity than any worthwhile educational achievement.

Consequently, we do not have a sufficiently large or skilled workforce to meet our essential needs. The current government has resorted to a Ponzi scheme of skilled migration that brings more demand than it can supply.

Multiculturalism, fed by high immigration rates, is stressing society which is already divided by identity politics and the countercultural movement. The ideological family of critical theories wants to dismantle our British and Judaeo-Christian heritage, with little or no concern for what will replace it.

Considering the concept of “woman” to be connected to biology is becoming a challenge to live out. Supporters of LGBTQ rights stand alongside Islamist extremists who believe that homosexual acts are death penalty offenses. The thought of Pauline Hanson governing the nation is consistent with our schizophrenia.

John L Smith, Farrer

There’s more to Pauline’s popularity than protest

Worst cull I’ve ever witnessed

This year’s kangaroo cull was the absolute worst I have witnessed. Residents have found huge pools of blood, which suggest the animals have been shot and left to bleed out.

I found two of these myself. It was a sickening sight. There are numerous other examples at Red Hill and the Pinnacle.

The cull has also been unusual in that it normally finishes a couple of weeks earlier than the timeframe. I believe the shooters were struggling to get the numbers, which is not surprising given the population estimates are highly inflated. 

I’ve seen the Mulligans Flat sanctuary 10 times. It is horrific. 

Rebecca Marks, via email

Canberrans are owed an explanation for cruelty

Kangaroos and their young are deeply social, sentient animals capable of experiencing joy, social connection, as well as fear, pain and distress.

The repeated culling of kangaroos in nature reserves across Canberra has again decimated kangaroo families, leaving behind fragmented groups and isolated individuals that are clearly now experiencing grief and distress.

The ACT Government to date has failed to demonstrate any positive environmental outcomes from killing kangaroos. Canberrans are owed an explanation as to why this repeated cruelty continues year after year.

Blanca Furze, via email

Are we getting value for money?

Why are ACT ratepayers and taxpayers funding what is effectively a state government when many of its functions could be carried out by a well-managed local council?

With a population of under half a million people, we support 25 members of the Legislative Assembly, ministerial offices, advisers, administrative staff and a substantial local public service. This represents a significant ongoing cost to the community. Does it provide value for money? 

Many local councils throughout Australia successfully deliver roads, parks, waste management, planning, community facilities and a range of essential local services with far fewer elected representatives and considerably lower administrative overheads.

Recent public concerns surrounding governance, integrity and administrative decision-making have also highlighted the importance of transparency and public confidence in our institutions.

If the ACT were administered through a professional local council, with the Australian government retaining responsibility for broader state-level functions, substantial savings could potentially be redirected into essential community services, infrastructure, health and housing rather than maintaining another layer of government.

Surely, after more than 35 years of self-government, the time has come for an independent review of its costs, benefits and long-term value to the ACT community.

Errol Good, Macgregor

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