There is an old adage that not only should justice be done, but it should be seen to be done. The proposal that public hearings of a federal integrity commission should only be held in “exceptional circumstances” will be unacceptable for those who want an effective commission. This is a time when crossbenchers can really earn their stripes. They can dig in their heels and demand that the workings of any such commission is open and transparent. We have waited a long time for that transparency and it is worth waiting a little longer to get a commission that really means something. I wish our political representatives well in their deliberations, but they should remember that the Australian public wants to see justice done. Derrick Mason, Boorowa
Surely all hearings of the proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission should be open if we are to ensure that all improper actions by politicians, public officials and third parties become “exceptional circumstances” and not normal behaviour of our trusted representatives because “everyone does it”. Keith Woodward, Avalon Beach
Bravo Labor for promptly developing legislation for the federal ICAC. However, to get the legislation through parliament it will need acceptance from some who may be guilty. So instead of retrospectivity, let’s draw a line in the sand. This might be the only way we can get strong, effective anti-corruption law. Anne Matheson, Gordon
Did the Coalition hold the trade union royal commission behind closed doors? Graeme Finn, Summer Hill
Old theatres have a role to play
In the fastest growing area of Sydney (Parramatta CBD), there is a building which, so far, is still standing, and standing empty: the old Roxy Theatre (Letters, September 28). It is crying out for renovation and would be an excellent showcase for stage productions that lack a venue. Such a renovation would deliver Parramatta something its citizens deserve, but would not deliver an immediate return to a developer. Why not keep this historic and reusable space, which is dying from neglect? Jennifer Blackman Wentworthville
The Roxy Theatre in Parramatta.Credit:Jacky Ghossein
Thank you to your correspondents for once again highlighting the delay of “leaders” and wealthy entrepreneurial cash in reviving the Plaza and the Metro Minerva theatres. Spending $60 million on the Metro Minerva refurbishment would be a better idea for the ticket buyers of Sydney than another 30 years of longing. Add, yet again, the Roxy Parramatta and this high-vis shambles is on repeat cycle because of a few wealthy men. How many billionaires live in Sydney? Time to step up, wealthy entrepreneurs, and get this loss of heritage dealt with. Paul Brennan, Woollahra
Your correspondents rightly despair about the lack of theatre venues in Sydney. One only has to visit the theatre facilities available in some of our private schools to wonder about the government’s funding priorities. Vicky Marquis, Glebe
Benign president
Quite a few of your correspondents (Letters, September 28) are wringing their hands in anguish that an Australian republic would mean a new form of government. No, we would still be a democracy, retain the federal parliament and continue with a prime minister at the head of the majority party. What would change is that an appointed governor-general representing the British monarch would be replaced by an elected Australian president, who would not run the government. Thus, that president would not be of the American model but rather more like the Irish version. Not so scary, really, when you actually read the details. James Mahoney, McKellar (ACT)
Raise the rebate
Could the federal government please consider increasing the Medicare rebate (“Half of GPs fight to stay afloat as rebate fails”, September 28)? General practices are struggling to survive if bulk billing and struggling to attract graduates to country regions. Our doctors are workers too. Michael Wheatley, Rock Forest
It’s not surprising that a new survey has found that general practice is financially unsustainable for almost half of the nation’s GPs due to increasing costs and a growing number of patients with complex conditions. Common sense says the Medicare rebate for GPs’ consultation is barely at a break-even level, never mind profitable. Tradies would do better. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood
Petrol paradox
Petrol pricesCredit:Nick Moir
The always temporary fuel excise cut of a 22c per litre is about to be reapplied as promised (“Fuel prices to skyrocket this week” September 28). Currently, I am regularly driving past petrol stations promoting fuel from as low as $1.47 per litre to as high as $1.97 per litre. How there is such a difference is a mystery but, putting that aside for the moment, I don’t believe 22c added to the $1.47 bowser is going to be too much of a burden. Bill Young, Killcare Heights
Online fraud game
Online fraud is like the game between creative accountants and the tax office (Letters, September 28). One finds a loophole and the other tries to plug it. Hackers find a vulnerability and companies such as Optus try to shut it down. What you end up with is a convoluted system that nobody fully understands. Patches on patches. I recently had to use MyGov and spent ages jumping through hoops to do what I wanted. I had to download a separate app (MyGovID) to just log on to MyGov. To install MyGovID, I had to provide further proof including passport, driver’s licence and bank account. A letter writer mentioned the Australia Card, which was voted down decades ago. Maybe the time has come to talk about the concept again in a digital format? We will probably find all the original security concerns have been made redundant anyway with the vast amount of our personal information on multiple websites. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea
Fantasy home
As Ross Gittins suggests (“The great Australian pipedream”, September 28), Australian egalitarianism is a myth with an ever-increasing gap between the haves and have-nots, and housing has been part of the problem. A house is considered by many as an investment rather than a home, with government policies supporting this attitude. An attempt by the Labor opposition in 2019 to restructure this resulted in an election debacle, such is the nature of the housing investor, some of whom own multiple properties and understandably were not in favour of change. Perhaps if laws were changed such that negative gearing was restricted to one or two properties, then equity and opportunity might return, but I won’t hold my breath. Max Redmayne, Drummoyne
Float our boat
RiverCatCredit:Rhett Wyman
Rather than going overseas to acquire new ferries (“Ferry purchase delays despite warnings”, September 28), go down the road to Wollongong or up the coast to Newcastle. There’s a boatload of skills and infrastructure at these locations to more than adequately build and service a reliable ferry fleet. Keeps local industry and employment afloat in the bargain. Steve Dillon, Thirroul
Holiday romance
My wife Anne and I were married (Letters, September 28) on Easter Monday in 1960. It took 62 years for our anniversary and the holiday to again coincide in 2022. Bill Hardy, Caddens
My sister was married on her birthday, which happens to be Remembrance Day. There was no excuse for not remembering her birthday or anniversary. Graham Lum, North Rocks
Safe space
DART’S targetCredit:NASA
Congratulations to NASA for its wonderful DART mission (“Planetary defence craft rams into massive asteroid”, September 28). I feel a lot safer. Graham Russell, Clovelly
No fear
With apologies to the security supremo of Pottsylvania and to my heroes Rocky and Bullwinkle, I propose ″Fearless Leader″ for our head of state.
Andrew Cohen, Glebe
Special haka
I treasure a photo of my grandfather in a haka (Letters, September 28) before a Wallabies (1908) or Kangaroos (1911-12) game. Brian Collins, Cronulla
Eel blood
My husband has followed the Eels (Letters, September 28) for 65 years with a dedication beyond reason. I have seen him bleed – his blood is green. Margaret Jones, Bathurst
The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Albanese’s watchdog choice: to align with Dutton on secret hearings
or to wedge him
From MJ: ″All hearings in public, unless it is NOT in their interests – for example national security. Hearings that are closed could then become open once those barriers are known to be removed.″
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Originally published at Sydney News HQ
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