The visit of the King and Queen is a welcome respite from the daily, and frequently inane, round of politics and sport (“The cutest curtsy, the republicans and the elephant in the church”, October 21). It also reminds us of the enduring stability of our constitutional monarchy model of government. We are fortunate to have such a green and humanitarian head of state in King Charles. The republican movement appears ever more a republican moment. Lawrence Pope, North Carlton (Vic)
The English Crown presided over the colonial era of plunder and dispossession. An apology from its incumbent would justify his current visit (at our expense). Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach
TM King Charles and Queen Camilla signing the visitor’s book in Parliament House, CanberraCredit: Alex Ellinghausen
Surely the King’s gift of a timepiece shows that he is fully aware of the republican debate? Jenny Stephenson, Wollongong
King Charles is a keen conservationist who would have been upset if he had travelled just a short distance from Canberra along the Kings Highway and seen the dead bodies of wombats and kangaroos killed by speeding motorists. Some wombats were blue crossed for removal, but what is being done to avert similar accidents in future? Not a good look for people who care about our high rate of wildlife extinction. Susan Cruttenden, Dalmeny
Power and privies
Some people seem to have an issue with preserving Australia’s heritage and culture (Letters, October 21). I see no compelling reason to become a republic when the majesties exercise only soft power: gentle persuasion and leading by example. The royal family has demonstrated restraint and responsibility for centuries, and they preserve our heritage, which can be visited on any holiday to Britain. As an Australian subject, I’ve walked in the King’s private gardens and used his toilets at his private property Highgrove. How many heads of state in the world allow the public this level of access? Anne Matheson, Gordon
I am a republican, but I don’t much care when we become a republic, for it is a symbolic change and it won’t change how we operate. I think there are far more pressing needs to address. Reducing poverty and readjusting the housing market to give potential home-owners a fighting chance against potential property investors at point of purchase. These are just two of my favourite things; there are more. But let’s fix these problems before debating a republic. John Rome, Mt Lawley (WA)
Your correspondent’s thinking that we are a “modern, egalitarian” country has surely been dispelled by such things as the rejection of a referendum just on a year ago that would have helped to prove we were just that, bringing a modicum of support to people. Robert Hosking, Paddington
One element of the perennial pro-republic debate is the false promise that if Australia ditched King Charles, or his son, to become a republic, then all our near neighbours in the region would respect us more, presumably near neighbours like Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Tonga together with the increasingly “near royal family”-ruled republics of Cambodia, China and North Korea. If Australia went republic, do you think India would let us share their January 26 Republic Day? Are there any real advantages in changing over a nominal head of state. I’m not hearing them. Would any Australian republic necessarily bring peace with honour to the Middle East; lead to reconciliation between black and white Australians; save the environment; bring equality between rich and poor? I doubt it, and I know what causes I would prefer to spend my energy on. Garry Dalrymple, Earlwood
I support severing our ties with the monarchy and establishing a republic. To do so would require a constitutional referendum, but given the failure of the last one to even agree to an advisory board for Indigenous Australians, I can’t see a successful referendum on a republic happening soon. In fact, I can’t see it happening in my lifetime. Without bipartisan support, future Labor prime ministers will wear the republic like an albatross around their necks. The only path I see to having an Australian head of state is to wait until Britain abolishes the monarchy and itself becomes a republic. John Bailey, Canterbury
As writer after writer insists that Australia becoming a republic would be as easy as falling off a log, a hint of the basic problem sits within one letter: “appoint or elect one of our own citizens as real head of state”. Hmmm, now which of these options should we try? Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield
Teals our climate hope
One of the key policies of the teals is a commitment to ensure we address the causes of our changing climate (“Why NSW Liberals are losing”, October 21). In the federal sphere, Peter Dutton just ignores them. But while Matt Kean was present in the NSW opposition, there was a hope that, at least in our state, they would be taken seriously. That hope is now forlorn, and the tragedy is that because the Liberals and Nationals give scant attention to addressing climate change, the Labor government can get away with doing less than what is required to avert the concomitant disasters. In the meantime, the teals are likely to continue to increase their numbers until the time is reached when a future government may have to rely on their votes to govern. Peter Nash, Fairlight
Jacqui Scruby: a hope for years to comeCredit: Steven Siewert
The wallowing NSW Liberal Party may be in danger of drowning, but it would be well advised not to clutch at the lifeline that the 2027 election is far enough away for voters to forget the disasters that culminated in the loss of another blue-ribbon seat. On the contrary, voters have long memories and the winds of change were in the air on the insular peninsula long before the Pittwater byelection. The community showed its independence by choosing Jacqui Scruby, who as an independent MP will put Pittwater first, free from the baggage and internal conflicts of the major parties. Make no mistake, as proved in other electorates who have chosen the independent path, the benefits to the community will last way beyond one election cycle. Joy Nason, Mona Vale
Perhaps major political parties need to consider the calibre and values of the independent candidates who seek out and represent the views of their constituents on big issues? They are prepared to accept expert advice and consult widely, and they are not bound by party ideology or partisanship. Their focus is on advancing matters of importance to the nation, and not on frustrating the actions of government purely to gain political supremacy. Catherine Turner, Cremorne
Riders undertrained
Many motorists might be shocked to learn that to acquire a learner licence for a motorcycle requires just seven hours of approved “training” (‴One bad decision’: Motorcycle deaths reach 10-year high”, smh.com.au, October 21). This “training” involves riding around and around an enclosed range about the size of two tennis courts, at a maximum of 25km/h, limited to first and second gear only (most motorcycles have five gears). For learners, there is no supervised road riding or the experience of riding in traffic; many learners are young, impressionable males with invincibility stamped all over them. The lack of training and education 30 or 40 years ago does not prepare older riders for the power of modern-day motorcycles, a massive increase in traffic volume or the condition of our roads. Acquiring a car licence involves 120 hours of supervised driving. Are we missing something here? Over the years, there have been talks and plans from TfNSW about improving motorcycle rider training but the status quo remains the same. Phillip Ennis, accredited NSW learner rider instructor, Bective
Stop talkfest, get housing moving
If I am interpreting things correctly, our housing problems can be solved if building standards are lowered, developers are subsidised by the taxpayer, and more tradies are brought in as migrants (“Business flags $10bplan to ease housing pain”, October 21). Meanwhile, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 140,000 houses are vacant and renters continue to be displaced by the short-term holiday rental market. Is this really the best we can do? Really? Greg Phillipson, Aranda (ACT)
Is there a way to bring down housing costs?Credit: Eamon Gallagher
Big housing. Big Australia. Big mistake. John Croker, Woonona
What we need are more and more audacious approaches to get housing moving (“New home-building process could slash costs by 20 per cent”, October 21), such as building modular housing, the release of crown land and the speeding up of councils’ approval process. But we need workers and tradies, and that won’t be sorted unless we import them. Governments need to be ready to take risks with rich superannuation companies and get all businesses and unions on board. We need to stop the talkfest. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill
I am shocked (but not surprised) that the one vote Labor majority Inner West Council is happily treating its residents with such contempt (“Council moves to reduce light and other unit rules”, October 21). The residents’ survey undertaken by council shows that most understand it makes sense to have higher-density housing near transport hubs. But it also shows that a clear majority asked for more parks and recreation spaces, which are sadly lacking in our community. Only property developers (who live elsewhere) want to see our suburbs turned into towers of tiny shoebox apartments with no daylight, no cross-ventilation and no room to swing a cat (or to house a dog). Joanna Mendelssohn, Dulwich Hill
China’s false benevolence
George Brandis rightly uses the phrase “enslaving largesse” in describing China’s intentions anywhere it can undermine the pillars of democracy (“China will watch King’s next stopover”, October 21). Through its Belt and Road approach, it has been able to insinuate its presence, and thereby its totalitarian mindset, into many smaller nations needing assistance, as well as into key institutions like the Commonwealth through individuals it promotes. Its help is not done out of benevolence but to spread and consolidate its anti-democratic power. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne
Call that multitasking?
Is this how you multitask?Credit: IStock
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that Professor Paul Dux and Ragnar Purje are both men (“Forget multitasking. Here’s how to get things done”, October 21)? The examples of being a pilot, driving a car and making tacos for a party, while not limited to men, are all activities one might easily guess as better being done with a singular focus. Caring for three children, making sure the washing is done, getting three meals a day on the table, grocery shopping, making sure the kids get to their extracurricular activities, signing notes for school, booking doctors’ appointments, getting father-in-law’s birthday present purchased and wrapped, and getting to one’s own job, where one puts in a full day’s work, requires incredible amounts of multitasking and task-switching. Largely done by women. Is this yet another example of scientific study that focuses on what man can do while ignoring the different capabilities due to brain, hormone and physical differences? Anna Beniuk, Mount St Thomas
Hands off
It is amazing that some men have not woken up to the fact that women have a voice and the right to use it (“The ’LinkedIn Lecher‴, October 21). Sue Dyer, Downer (ACT)
Long live Latin
Because it’s such a significant element of the English language, and private school mottos, I’m grateful that I studied Latin at school (Letters, October 21). It also taught me about the Roman Empire’s rule by a self-serving elite class and military generals, its disdain for the poor, its exploitation of slaves and the utter brutality of its army. Some things haven’t changed, have they? Despite all that, that Latin lot left us some wonderful buildings and feats of engineering, and they worshipped the Moon and Mars without ever wanting to waste their denarii to go visiting. Kent Mayo, Uralla
Luna? Non gratias ago tibi, said the Ancient Romans in fluent LatinCredit: nna\riwood
Only CXIV studying Latin for the HSC? O tempora, o mores! Back in the day it would have been Ms and Ms. The 2020s are a far cry from the 1960s, when hundreds of school students each year flocked to see plays presented by the Sydney University Classical Society in the original Latin and Ancient Greek. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Lesson learnt
I loved your correspondent’s letter (October 21) about avoiding the middle lane on the Harbour Bridge. It brought back memories of my own time as a 21-year-old driving a taxi while attending university in the 1960s. Oh, how times have changed. I recall, on my third day of taxi driving, being “T-boned” by a double-decker bus (my inexperienced fault) at the corner of Pitt and Park streets at 4.30pm shortly after starting my shift. Never turn left from the outside lane. The traffic backed up down Pitt Street almost to Circular Quay while my passenger patiently sat in the back seat. After the post-collision formalities were concluded, my passenger actually held the broken rear door shut while we returned to the depot at King’s Cross, whereupon I was summarily dismissed by the hard-bitten shift manager. You see, all the other drivers had already reported the incident to the depot by radio. I walked despondently down the street from the depot past another company’s garage, paused and went in. Within an hour of my accident, I was driving a different cab, armed with a suite of rapidly learned driving lessons. Michael Slocum, Ascot Vale (Vic)
Don’t keep the change
Even paying with cash (Letters, October 21) you need to be careful regarding surcharges. Just on Saturday, paying for two coffees at $4.50 each with a $10 note; my old-fashioned maths gave change at $1. Simple, right? So when I was given 85 cents change, I did ask, “and where is the rest?” Bernadette Scadden, Earlwood
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