In capable hands with Fiona Nash

Senator Fiona Nash is a breathe of fresh air, according to reader Claire Joliffe from Buderim in Queensland.

TWAM 9 April 2016

What a breath of fresh air is Senator Fiona Nash, a person who’s comfortable in her own skin and knows that politics is not the be-all and end-all of life (“Soft power”, Apr 9-10). Leave it to a “bushie” for common sense, self-sufficiency and the ability to balance work and home life – not to mention tame a sometimes loose cannon in Barnaby Joyce!

Claire Jolliffe, Buderim, Qld

Senator Fiona Nash rightly says “family is always first”. What a pity that she, with a few cohorts, managed to overturn the ministerial approvals process for the abortion pill RU486. Do they not consider the unborn as family?

Frances Costa, Macksville, NSW

TWAM-20160409 EMBARGO FOR TWAM 9 April 2016 NO REUSE WITHOUT PERMISSION FEE APPLIES Fiona Nash Pic : Harold David

As an average citizen, I judge politicians on what they do – especially their legislation, which makes life a misery for refugees and all of our people who are stuck in poverty. If nothing else, the independents in the past few years have done a sterling job by showing that many pollies don’t give a toss about how the bottom 20 per cent of people have to live.

Sherryl Clark, Altona North, Vic

Skin deep

Thanks for the outstanding article on street artist Anthony Lister (“Different strokes”, Apr 9-10). High time to celebrate street art for what it is – not-for-profit art for everyone in areas where billboards and concrete walls spoil our public spaces and numb every sense of beauty for the sake of profit.

Ulf Steinvorth, Tamborine Mountain, Qld 

As a long-time supporter of the arts, I find it difficult to accept that someone who splashes paint on public and private walls can be considered a renowned artist. Those who graffiti other people’s property are vandals.

Brian P Cantwell , Sale, Vic

Heart of darkness

I read Christina Lamb’s report on African Islamist group Boko Haram (“Lost cause”, Apr 9-10) just after finishing Stan Grant’s book Talking to my Country. The difference between the past treatment of Aborigines by white Australians and the present treatment of some Africans by their countrymen is, at best, a matter only of degree. Homo sapiens is a misnomer: at least most animals kill only for food.

Tony Barnett, Kangaroo Valley, NSW

Christina Lamb seems to blame the West for not doing anything about Boko Haram. But why should Western countries send their sons and daughters to do the work of Nigerians? Most recent humanitarian interventions have made bad situations worse. 

Peter Laznicka PhD, West Lakes, SA 

A prayer for Phillip Occasionally one reads a sentence that causes a spontaneous gasp at its audacity. I found such a sentence in Phillip Adams’ column (“Oh, knock it off”, Apr 9-10) where he calls the Catholic Church “a religion obsessed with sex”. I have a fair bit to do with the Catholic Church and I can assure you that the only relevant obsession with sex is to be found in Mr Adams’ adolescent musings on the subject. His persistent screams of rage at the Church hint at some psychological imbalance. I suggest he find a sound orthodox priest and tell him all about it.

Frank Pulsford, Aspley, Qld

What a shame that Phillip Adams, with such a command of the English language, could not take a leaf out of Clive James’ book and write something of beauty instead of his usual vitriolic rambling.

Joan Sullivan, Launceston, Tas

My consolation at arriving near the end of your magazine is to read Phillip Adams’ amusing take on serious subjects. I’m still smiling at the image of the nuns with hammers.

Janet Ward, Noosa Heads, Qld

Begging your pardon

I guess I must be one of Nikki Gemmell’s dreaded pedants with a “pursed bum hole for a mouth”, and to maintain that reputation I need to point out that too many exclamation marks are like too many f--ks in a story; they lose their impact. 

Kay Wiggins, Norwood, SA

In these times of texting and emailing, exclamation marks get the message across... and I love them!!!!!

Sharon Hollis, Mt Gambier, SA

My intelligent, successful boyfriend, 47(!), uses lots of exclamation marks in his messages to me. I take it as a sign of passion!

Danielle James, North Sydney, NSW

Write to: [e-mail]; The Weekend Australian Magazine, GPO Box 4245, Sydney 2001. Letters must bear a full address and contact number.

The writer of April’s best letter wins two dozen bottles of Marko’s Vineyard oakless chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, made using fruit from 23-year-old vines grown in the high-altitude, cool-climate Adelaide Hills. Value: $648 or $27 per bottle markosvineyard.com.au