Neglected region If the reports are true, it is not a big surprise that China is talking to Vanuatu about setting up a military base in their country. Mr Turnbull says Australia would view with concern such a development, but his government has been somewhat derelict in the region. The LNP government has cut overseas aid significantly since Labor was in power. The LNP has shown little leadership in the region on such matters as climate change. Under the Labor government there was a comprehensive South Pacific climate change program, including $300 million from the aid program. Another mark down for the LNP. Rod Holesgrove, O'Connor

For a number of years now Australia has been winding back its foreign aid to Pacific nations and ignoring the pleas of those nations that are struggling with the effects of rising sea levels. We are providing aid to nations such as Nauru and New Guinea because they are co-operating in an attempt to overcome an Australian domestic political problem. Is it any wonder some of those nations are looking to alternative sources of support? D. O'Connor, Gordon Coal plan a lie Back in 1980 Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen poured water into the first water-powered car and watched with satisfaction as the vehicle drove off down the road. Now "Alchemy Malcolm" has announced a plan to "see brown coal from here in the Latrobe valley converted to hydrogen, liquified, and then exported to Japan".

Elementary chemistry tells us this is actually no more than a plan to burn brown coal in Australia, use the electricity to produce hydrogen from water for Japan, leaving the polluting carbon dioxide for the Latrobe valley to dispose of. No, the only pollution-free way to provide hydrogen for local or overseas use is to use renewable energy; convert the photons that land in Australia every day into electrons, and export them as, for example, hydrogen or aluminium. Adrian Gibbs, Yarralumla Poor rifle form While it is pleasing to see The Honorable Tim Fisher gifting his 303 Enfield rifle to the Museum of Australian Democracy, the photo of him passing the firearm to museum director Daryl Karp depicts a violation of firearm safety rules.

When passing a bolt-action rifle such as an Enfield, the action must be open, with the bolt removed or projecting rearwards, not closed as shown in the photo. David Thompson, Watson One wonders why the Lee-Enfield rifle featured in the report "Former deputy PM Fischer gifts 'weapon of democracy"' (April 13, p16) was referred to as the Enfield .303. Lee designed the rifle's bolt system, so his name is a significant element of the rifle's correct name. Enfield, on the northern outskirts of Greater London, is the location of the Royal Small Arms Factory where the rifle was designed. Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor Look at history

Kevin Donnelly's excellent opinion piece ("Folau a victim for his views", Canberra Times, April 11) missed the latest lunacy that would have white men like me check my white privilege and openly atone for the alleged sins of the past. Never would I submit to such nonsense; it was white men who were overwhelmingly responsible for ushering in the amazing developments in science, medicine, engineering and social change that transformed the world from the brutal dark ages to the wonderful lifestyle most people of all colours either aspire to, or enjoy, today. Certainly that evolution was not without its problems, but no other group in history comes close and I think that deserves applause rather than opprobrium. H.Ronald, Jerrabomberra Impressive feat

I was cynical of Ian Warden's clinical fortune teller and psychic counsellor, Mystic Daphne, until I read that her consulting rooms were on the 18th floor of the 16-storey Nishi Building. Alan Robertson, Campbell Balance missing It warmed the cockles of my heart to read (April 12, p3) that, with the appointment of Liz Cosson as head of Veterans Affairs, half the Commonwealth departmental secretaries will now be women. But I was equally disappointed to note the absence of any people of Asian or African background, as business was urged to do only yesterday by an "expert" in that area who predicted much better outcomes if these people got a go.

Also missing was a breakdown of the secretaries by LGBTI as I am sure we would want a proper balance there too. Stan Marks, Hawker Tax madness The battler has no chance against the Tax Office. Look at this little gem I found in Section 165-55 of the Taxation Act (GST): The Commissioner of Taxation may: a) "treat a particular event that happened as not happened"

b) "treat a particular event that did not happen as having happened" c) "treat a particular event that happened as having happened at a different time from the time it actually happened" Why aren't we protected from legislation like this? Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads, NSW Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message ﬁeld, not as an attached ﬁle. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610.

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