Hold your fire, just for a moment

This is our last letters column for this year. Thank you to all our many new and regular correspondents. I always enjoy the lively, passionate and often provocative opinions that we are able to publish. They keep me on my toes! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all, in the certain knowledge of welcoming you back to our pages in 2026. 

Ian Meikle, editor 

Who ever wanted disruption and cost of the tram?

Following on from Anthony Hordern’s letter (“Only fools keep spending borrowed billions”, CN October 30) on the ridiculous Stage 2B money pit of outdated cost-inefficient technology.

Where is the Barr government’s evidence that it is the most cost-effective solution compared to simply more electric buses with greater flexibility and less impact?

What percentage of the ACT taxpayer community were ever in favor of the damned tram and its monstrous extent of traffic disruption, let alone the unnecessary costs to the community? 

Let’s have a public poll now, but not one run by the ACT government nor the NCA.

Or is it more a case of “Glory Be to Barr”? 

Alec Gray, via email

PM drags his heels on gambling advertising

Would you like to see a community with less crime, less domestic violence, fewer suicides and broken families and a decrease in family debt and homelessness?

Well, voters need to put more pressure on PM Albanese to introduce a ban on gambling advertising, especially that which targets our young and vulnerable.

Albanese has been dragging his heels on this issue for years despite the results of the Murphy bipartisan committee into online gambling and the fact that the majority of the community want such advertising gone. 

Over $244 billion in bets in 2022-23 make Australians the world’s biggest gamblers with a collective loss of $31.5 billion, which dwarfs Las Vegas’ $21 billion. What is most alarming is that 30 per cent of 12-17-year-olds gamble and this increases to 46 per cent when they turn 18.

I for one will not vote Labor while this persists and I would hope that the majority of Australians, especially those with children, put more pressure on Albanese (and it appears, surprisingly, Tania Plibersek) to ban gambling advertising altogether.

Perhaps Jodie Hayden could take the matter up with her new husband as this is a matter where the ramifications have more impact on women and children than it does men.

Ric Hingee, Duffy

NCA needs stronger planning and development powers

Under the Howard government, “Planning” was dropped from the title of today’s National Capital Authority.

One cause/result seems to be the extensive development at the Commonwealth’s airport precinct, zoned by the original NCPA for “defence and related purposes”, but now developed with large general offices and retail. Much of that development has largely wrecked the ordered development of Canberra, and loaded Canberrans with huge infrastructure costs.

The NCA should now strongly curtail development in the airport precinct, and encourage it at, say, the National Capital Plan’s “designated areas” at Russell and Civic.

In contrast with the airport development, another developer has exploited the apparently simpler approval processes of the NCA, and installed interesting and well-connected developments at New Acton and Dairy Flat.

Meanwhile, the ACT has been forced into “land value capture”, and that is driving the light rail program, but upsetting the generally ordered and hierarchical multi-centre focused system of Canberra’s planning and development.

Now, more than ever, the NCA needs stronger planning and development powers, in the interests of the ordered and exemplary development of the capital, the ACT, and beyond. The latter including border expansions to save places such as Ginninderra Falls, and to enable more well-planned and connected land for good-sized, single-block housing for families, preferably sans private developers, thus enabling real affordability.

Jack Kershaw, Kambah

Green public transport claim ‘misleading’

Adelaide Metro has agreed to remove advertisements claiming that fossil-fuelled buses are “clean and green”. 

SA’s Ad Standards panel found that SA’s transport department misled the public by running ads on buses claiming “natural gas” was “clean and green.”

The ACT government stopped promoting buses as being environmentally friendly, after I pointed out that travel on Canberra’s public transport system causes as much pollution as equivalent travel by car. 

But the Conservation Council ACT Region’s government-funded “Make the Move” website still makes the misleading claim that “making the move into … and public transport are effective actions we can take to reduce our ecological footprint”. 

It features photos of polluting fossil-fuelled buses with misleading captions, “help the planet” and, “get your workplace moving into clean transport”. 

Leon Arundell, former (expelled) Conservation Council transport working group member, Downer

Ned’s last words, such is journalistic license

As someone that has had a long-standing interest in Ned Kelly and armed with a degree specialising in history from the ANU, I found the article “Murdering horse thief or victim of persecution” (CN December 11) by Ross Fitzgerald and Dick Whitaker to be interesting, but also disappointing. 

Several assertions are made and left hanging, with little information provided as to the basis of the relevant claim. A prime example of this is the authors’ comment that Kelly’s last words are often quoted as being “Such is life”, but then stating that this is “debatable”, without saying why.

With many people believing these to be Kelly’s last words, based on nothing more than histrionics and a misplaced sense of Aussie culture, they have had these words tattooed on various body parts, printed on oversized stickers and placed on their cars, etcetera. 

It is therefore worthwhile providing some evidence that brings the debate down strongly on the side of Kelly not saying these words on the gallows.

An excellent research paper by Dr Stuart Dawson (2016), titled Ned Kelly’s Last Words: “Ah, Well, I Suppose”, and published by Monash University, used many primary sources from the time, including eyewitness reports, to argue that Kelly’s last word were: “Ah well, I suppose”, or “Ah well, I suppose it has come to this”.

Only one journalist, from The Herald and who was standing furthest from the gallows, claims to have heard the “Such is life” quote.

It is unfortunate that such journalistic license has helped turn a murderer and thief into a sympathetic cultural figure.

As a final comment, Kelly’s grave is indeed officially “unmarked”, with three graves being dug side-by-side to dissuade anyone seeking morbid souvenirs, with only one of these used for Ned.

However, anyone going to Greta cemetery needs only to view online the photos of Kelly’s reburial, to locate the position of these graves and his final resting place.

Mike Desmond, via email

Historical evidence for the existence of Jesus

The main Christian faiths use the King James Version, the Jerusalem Bible and the New Revised Standard Version translations of the Bible as the basis of their beliefs.

The New Testament was largely completed by 100 CE. 

Columnist Robert Macklin would’ve done better to rely on these sources rather than on 20th century Alvar Ellegard (“Human story triumphs telling Christian history,” CN December 11). Ellegard is often quoted in secular circles. 

Mr Macklin may wish to know that the “God/human figure of Christ” was not “invented” (his words). There’s a good deal of historical evidence for the existence of Jesus. I won’t go into detail – the article concerned doesn’t merit a long rebuttal.

As for “the changeable list of disciples” it refers to, I simply point out that these men were human just like us, selected by Jesus partly so we could identify with them and emulate them.

Possibly hurt by Christianity in the past, Mr Macklin periodically scoffs at it, locating whatever sources he can to justify his arguments and using Copilot as affirmation, heaven forbid! 

Herman van de Brug, Holt

Jeering at someone isn’t a debate

In response to Martin Miller (letters, CN December 4), well may he remain disappointed by young people choosing housing over obstruction. 

The name and suburb was an error on the part of the editor [He’s right, Apologies –Ed] – my name is Malcolm Bourke, and I live in the wonderful suburb of Farrer, very much in Murrumbidgee, not Fadden.

Of course I have a “pet hate” for people that seek to lock my peers out of houses. I make zero apologies for joining a political party at 15, particularly one that stands with people and against obstruction. 

It is wonderful to see that I am – in youth speak – “ragebaiting” people like Martin.

Given his ideas are as derelict as the pool he seeks to defend, I am not surprised that he’s been set off as a NIMBY attack dog against me, both on Facebook and here.

If Martin was serious about indoor sporting facilities, then he would have been at the consultation for the facilities as part of the Scentre Group development. He was not, I was.

If he was serious about these facilities, then he would have consulted young people. Alas, his submission to the Assembly’s Woden Inquiry yielded no results for “young” or “youth”. Mine: 7. 

Jeering at someone isn’t a debate. Yelling, as Miller tries to replicate over text, isn’t debate. That’s what those Save Phillip Pool volunteers did. I’ve since received a half-apology and radio silence from MLA Fiona Carrick when I raised it.

Malcolm Bourke, Farrer

Anniversary snub for amateur performers 

I recently attended the Canberra Theatre to see Here You Come Again, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

However, I noticed in The Link there were posters on the wall to celebrate the Theatre’s 60th birthday and all of them were only for professional productions that had been in the theatre.

As a life member and past president of Canberra Philharmonic, I was appalled that this was the case.

Philo staged more than 75 productions of musical theatre in the Canberra Theatre from 1965, when it opened, to its final production, Jekyll and Hyde, with Donald Cant, in 2001.

The Society moved to the Erindale theatre, due to financial constraints and also the theatre no longer wanting to have “amateur” productions.

During this time Philo staged two to three productions every year and on occasions imported professional performers such as June Bronhill, Denis Olsen, Robert Guard, Ronald McConachie, Normie Rowe and Donald Cant. All of who were/are professional performers.

The Society also had fully professional orchestras, as well as highly regarded professional directors and musical directors.

Les Miserables was staged three times between 1994 and 2006. The first production of 13 performances sold out a week before opening night. At that time this was a record for the Canberra Theatre. 

I know professional theatre is now the theatre’s bread and butter but there was a time that was not the case and I believe the theatre depended on not only Philo but other “amateur” productions as well.

Philo had a very good relationship with the theatre and I am very disappointed this is how it has treated Philo and the other theatre groups who worked in the theatre for so many years. Did Philo get an invite to the 60th anniversary celebrations? I don’t believe so.

Linda Tregonning, past president, Canberra Philharmonic

Transparency lapse will haunt Gallagher 

At the end of November, ACT senator and Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher received much criticism for showing a lack of transparency about reports that letters had been sent to public service departments seeking identification of areas suitable for spending cuts.

She finally admitted that departments had been directed to nominate the least important five per cent of their spending for potential budget savings. 

However, details were withheld and a request from the Senate for release of the letters was also refused.

So the public and the ACT’s inquiring independent senator still do not know what exactly is being sought and when by, what references were made to staffing, and which departments and agencies might have escaped such a demand and its follow up investigations. 

This information deficit affects the work and workplaces of 70,000 Canberrans. No doubt these workers’ 128,000 APS colleagues elsewhere across the country would also appreciate a more meaningful dose of transparency and insights than what has been dished up to date.

Public and media reaction to Senator Gallagher’s prevarications and inadequate clarifications certainly showed that the Labor government’s preferred application of “public interest immunity” does not wash with those who hold higher expectations of a government that for years promised to operate far more openly and honestly than its Coalition predecessors. 

Labor’s poor handling of this matter coincided with its reluctant and much delayed release of the Briggs report on government appointments, and the dismissal of most of the report’s key recommendations. This also demonstrated an unhealthy reliance on quite dismissive public communications, which seemed encouraged by a stubborn adherence to putting the party’s wishes first, and making the interests of the voting public a poor second. 

A wilful approach to governance transparency and accountability will come back to haunt the government in 2028, especially in the ACT.

Sue Dyer, Downer 

The filthy post boxes sneer at the public

The defaced post boxes in Kippax (letters, CN December 11) are indicative of the neglect of duties by senior Australia Post management. 

They have shrunk the delivery of mail to a token trickle and contemptuously treat the public as inconsequential idiots for wanting to continue using the post. 

The filthy post boxes sneer at us, the users. 

Australia Post frontline workers (post office staff and posties) are dedicated to performance of duty – the finest public servants.

Shame on the series of federal governments that have accepted (encouraged) the withdrawal of service from the Australian community. Contempt of us. I reciprocate the contempt. 

Christopher Ryan, Watson 

Call for more professional kangaroo culling

Decent minded people have every right to be outraged over the current mess that’s referred to loosely as modern-day kangaroo culling.

By comparison, today’s professional contracted fox shooters have no such problem. They shoot in the dark of night, 300 metres out, at a target not much bigger than a moving small box, with a stunning 90 per cent success rate.

They use smaller-calibre long rifles with suppressors to minimise gunshot noise, off carbon-fibre tripods equipped with thermal imaging and powerful night vision laser telescopic sights. 

It’s time the local government became more professional when setting standards.

John Lawrence, via email 

Repackaged Libs need to change the product

When a once popular brand continues to have a declining market share, often the strategy employed to halt the decline, is a repackage of the product and include words such as “new and improved” to the revamped label.

Regrettably, such attempts to reposition and reinvigorate the product rarely work as consumers have moved on and “voted” with their wallets to buy alternative brands they perceive as better meeting their needs.

Such will be the outcome of the Liberal parliamentary parties around the nation to rebrand themselves.

By endorsing Jess Wilson, Kellie Sloane and Ashton Hurn to Sussan Ley to be their respective parliamentary leaders in Victoria, NSW and SA, the Liberal Party is repackaging itself in an attempt to convince the electorate how different they now are.

Having women lead their parliamentary parties will follow the result of so many other rebrandings. The desperation shown by the respective states to elect leaders who are in their first parliamentary terms, only confirms the dire straits in which they find themselves electorally.

Changing the packaging will only work if you are also offering a product that’s saleable. The product the Liberals are trying to sell has been rejected in most jurisdictions around the country, and having a woman as their figurehead is not the answer.

The sooner they realise that they need to change the product as well as the packaging, the sooner they will be able to offer a viable alternative.

Ian De Landelles, Murrays Beach, NSW

I’ll take conservative any day

Not sure if Sue Dyer (letters, CN December 4) is accusing the Liberal Party or National Party of being backward looking, but it does seem a bit rich when the current Labor Party has broken a multiple of promises they took to the last two elections.

I haven’t seen anything nation building or progressive (in the real sense of the word) in their almost four years in charge, unless you call handing out taxpayers’ money as some sort of achievement.

At least the Coalition put nuclear energy on the table as an option. This form of energy is seen as getting better and more efficient with the times, as opposed to outdated windmills that are less environmentally friendly than they are made up to be.

The Labor Party persists with lies regarding all types of energy whilst trying to maintain their reckless renewable energy nightmare that is increasingly shown itself to be more of an ideology than something that is going to solve the current energy crisis in this country.

Dyer’s referral to a right-wing party shows her left-wing fixation as does the statement that the current ACT Liberals are not progressive enough.

ACT Labor, the self confessed progressives, have shown themselves to be arrogant, incompetent, irresponsible especially over the last decade, is this what Dyer wants from the ACT Liberals; more debt, more crime, more lies, more spin, longer waiting times at hospitals, increased electricity, rates and cost of living, mismanagement of public institutions? 

As for whingeing, I don’t think I have ever seen a more dishonest and ingenuine government then the current federal one. The recent defence of Albanese for Anika Wells’ incredible waste of public money, whilst being the first to criticise the previous government on anything untoward, is the stuff of comedy and cowardice. If that is being progressive, I’ll take conservative every day of the week. 

Ian Pilsner, Weston

Free hydro? Maybe, maybe not

Peter Gately’s idea of free hydroelectricity along Australia’s east coast sounds attractive (“Brave enough to swap wind for hydro?”, CN, December 4). 

A global study by Prof Andrew Blakers and colleagues at ANU found Australia has enormous pumped-hydro potential – about 6.5 TWh per million people. With national electricity use at roughly 9 TWh per million people in 2024, the opportunity is clear.

But pumped hydro also brings major cost, engineering and environmental challenges, largely because new dams are usually required.

Peter’s example in Wales – the Derwydd farm project – is quite different. It uses naturally flowing water on the property, not pumped storage. The system is a 30 kW hydro generator supported by 24 kW of solar panels to maintain supply when streamflow is low.

At full output it can produce enough electricity for around 30 homes, with excess power exported to the grid. Even so, the farm’s owner notes that generation is limited by grid constraints: more electricity could be produced, but the local network is already at capacity and requires a transmission upgrade. Sounds familiar.

Some small Australian communities or businesses with reliable year-round water might be able to install similar systems, but on the world’s driest inhabited continent such sites are limited – and the Derwydd project required the owner to invest “hundreds of thousands of pounds” to build it.

For most Australians, simply drawing power from an increasingly green grid remains the more practical path. For small communities, NSW’s Bawley Point and Kioloa community microgrid is a good model.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Victoria

Chicken flesh carries bacteria risks

The Australian Food Safety Information Council is warning against a common practice in the home – washing chicken flesh before cooking, which risks spreading bacteria throughout the kitchen, increasing the risk of food poisoning.

Raw poultry juices can contaminate other food, especially desserts or salads that won’t be cooked again before eating.

Chicken flesh has a higher risk of giving people food poisoning due to the presence of Salmonella and E. coli.

Australians are among the highest consumers of chicken globally due to the cost of red meat. But the real cost is borne by the chickens.

Ninety per cent of the 650 million birds raised for meat in Australia come from factory farms, where the birds spend their brief lives (about seven weeks before slaughter) in appalling conditions, crammed by the tens of thousands into filthy, windowless sheds.

Chickens are inquisitive, social animals who enjoy scratching for food, taking dust baths, roosting in trees and lying in the sun. But those raised on Australian factory farms never even see the sun except when crammed into crates for the drive to the slaughterhouse.

Every time we sit down to eat, we can protect our family and chickens and their families from getting sick, by avoiding animal flesh and instead eating delicious, plant-based foods.

Dr Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia, Byron Bay, NSW