Letters | Letters to the Editor

APRIL 5

Malcolm Turnbull: Credibility is damaged but not that of the states

The current budgetary problems originated 12 years ago under John Howard.

APRIL 4

Corruption: Corporate malfeasance one of the spoils of war

The rise of Islamic State has been disastrous for Iraq, but at least part of the explanation for the current stateless mayhem lies in the the region's capitals and the activities of corporations with no sense of social or ethical responsibility other than the bottom line of a balance sheet.

APRIL 02

Stress and fear of my own shadow

Readers discuss family violence, including its causes and what can be done to stop it.

APRIL 3

Society: Super is geared to male, high-income earners

Australia's 19 per cent gender pay gap translates into a 47 per cent superannuation gap.

APRIL 01

The rich get rich and the poor get poorer

Readers debate the merits of the Prime Minister's invitation to the states and territories that they take less in tied grants from Canberra in exchange for gaining their own income taxing powers.

MARCH 31

The dice is loaded against young people

Readers discuss education issues, including a proposal to lower the threshold at which HECS has to be repaid.

MARCH 30

The battle to coordinate my train and my bus

Readers discuss why Melbourne bus patronage declined 5.5 per cent in 2015, its lowest level in four years.

MARCH 29

We need to put the most disadvantaged first

Readers discuss whether Yarra Council was correct to block a proposed expansion of Sambell Lodge, run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. While some say the design was 'unsafe and unworkable', others say those opposed to it are putting their own amenity and convenience ahead of the needs of vulnerable people.

MARCH 28

Religion: A role to play for the greater good of society

Separation of church and state rightly protects a nation from becoming a theocracy, but it does not mean church and state cannot co-operate for the greater good of society.

MARCH 27

Federal politics: Paterson, Wilson wins push Libs further to right

A reader is concerned that a right-wing think tank has too big an influence on the Liberal Party.

MARCH 26

Look to the root causes of psychopathology

Readers discuss criminality, terrorism and lessons from the past after the bombings in Brussels.

MARCH 25

Easter: Where is the depth of our understanding?

Another year of chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts for children and church leaders cleaning their teeth in readiness for their annual fiery sermons, and why?

MARCH 24

Brussels: Bridging the religious divide will bring change

The horror of Brussels, the suffering of the people, the way they care for each other – but still the cry of "why?" rises up as we wonder why people become terrorists.

MARCH 23

The election is about political self-interest

Readers discuss the possibility that the Prime Minister will call a double-dissolution election.

MARCH 22

Anti-bullying initiatives must cover all students

Readers discuss the Safe Schools program and whether it is beneficial or dangerous to students.

Learning Chinese: Put off by fear of being unable to compete

There definitely needs to be a proper separation of non-background students and those who have had exposure.

MARCH 17

Federal politics: Voters need to get the people they voted for

Voters should be able to vote in the knowledge that their attitudes are reflected by the representatives they elect to the Upper House.

MARCH 16

No excuses for gang violence: the rioters deserve to be punished

Readers hold mixed views on the violence on Saturday night.

MARCH 15

The simple solution: parliament should vote

Readers discuss the planned plebiscite on same-sex marriage.

MARCH 14

Science: An endeavour that comes into its own

What use is research into gravity waves and the discoveries of the Large Hadron Collider? Nobody really knows – yet.

MARCH 13

Political class finds way to protect itself yet again

Senate voting 'reforms' branded undemocratic, and likely to allow a cosy political duopoly to be maintained.

MARCH 12

Desperately seeking treatment for my child

Readers discuss a range of health issues, including the lack of treatment for people with a mental illness, private health insurance and bullying in hospitals.