According to Infrastructure Victoria, the $10 billion North East Link will create "an estimated reduction in train boardings of 25,000 on an average weekday" (Saturday Age, 17/12). The users are already in their cars. Only someone without a car would contemplate getting from Hurstbridge, Mernda, Upfield or Craigieburn by train to Ringwood and the east.
Meanwhile, without a North East Link, drivers have to put up with the clogged roads of Bulleen, Montmorency and Eltham in the morning and evening peak periods. Gridlock is the norm in Bulleen Road and Fitzsimons Lane. Try living in those suburbs and tell us we do not need the link. Sure, we should be conscious of environmental issues, which is why the option to go via Kangaroo Ground is the best, taking the traffic away from the more densely populated suburbs and Banyule Flats. Taking it through Bulleen makes no sense anyway as it would merely dump more traffic onto the Eastern Freeway.
Graham Carew, Eltham
25,000 fewer train trips? A drop in the ocean.
Melburnians make some 1.1million public transport trips each weekday, and this is projected to double in the next 15years. Given that, I would suggest that the reported "reduction" in train boardings with the North East Link is so small as to be absorbed into the estimation error of any travel forecast.
Dr Ray Brindle, transport planner, Malmsbury
Faster trams mean happier commuters
On a recent trip from the city to Bundoora Park, the 86 tram was continually held up by traffic lights at intersections. These stoppages added some 20minutes to the journey. Several years ago I travelled on one of the new tram routes in Paris. There the trams activate traffic lights as they approach intersections so are able to proceed on green lights. The only time my tram stopped was to pick up or drop off passengers. I cannot see why trams in the "world's most liveable city" cannot be fitted with these devices. There would be great benefits to commuters and the transport network.
Rod Oaten, Carlton North
A Sydney bias against Victorian transport?
Tim Colebatch (16/12) documents how state and federal governments have underspent on transport infrastructure in Victoria relative to what is being spent in other states. Is it not relevant to mention that in 19 of the past 25 years, the prime minister has originated from Sydney, and we are still counting? Furthermore, Bill Shorten aside, the aspirants for future leadership in the two large parties are also heavily Sydney-based.
Michael Faulkner, Toora
We're paying the price of years of neglect
Thank you, Tim Colebatch. The Victorian electorate has allowed governments to neglect our transport infrastructure to the point that it is run down and decrepit. The Kennett government was the most culpable because it spent very little and also dismantled transport infrastructure. Also, a decrease in the over-population of Victoria via net overseas migration would help matters immensely. Do we have a government that is prepared to tackle this?
John Bentley, Tongala
Efficient and environmentally friendly
Perhaps our politicians and transport gurus should visit Wuppertal in Germany. It has a "hanging" or "floating" railway, constructed over a creek. The train line follows the creek's path, with boarding stations on both sides. It is a brilliant concept. And if we built one, there would be no need to destroy buildings or trees.
Nola Andriske, Mildura
THE FORUM
A preventable death
The coroner who investigated the tragic death in custody of West Australian woman, Ms Dhu (Saturday Age, 17/12), has recommended police be given "cultural competency" training so they can "better understand the health needs of Aboriginal people". This suggests their health needs are unusually complex and that this complexity lead to Ms Dhu's death.
Anyone who watched the distressing footage of her demise will be aware she was denied basic medical care. She was vomiting, slipping in and out of consciousness, and screaming in pain. It takes no "cultural competency" to see that a person in such a state needs to be in hospital and receiving medical attention. Instead she was met with cruel indifference. Her death signals the need for profound changes to the system.
Anastasia Kanjere, Preston
MPs' vested interest
After 20 months of deliberation (thank God we are not fighting a war), a parliamentary committee has concluded Australia does not have a housing affordability problem (Saturday Age, /12). In the Donald Trump-era, we are becoming used to flat earth statements – but from an Australian parliamentary committee? Could there be an explanation other than ignorance or stupidity? We are entitled to know how many members of the committee receive tax deductions from negative gearing.
John Brennan, Surrey Hills
Cutting the drug toll
We recently lost a grandson by heroin overdose – in North Richmond. We wonder whether a supervised injecting room might have saved his life. Last year, 172 people died from heroin overdoses in Victoria (The Age, 16/12). We wonder at the incalculable number of families who have been – and will be – devastated by addiction. Just as the road toll with its connection to alcohol was taken seriously and effectively minimised, our thinking and strategies against the scourge of drug addiction should be re-evaluated. A start would be for society and government to lift addiction out of the "taboo" category and recognise it for what it is: a disease which needs medical treatment. It is time to cut the "drug toll".
Names withheld, Ocean Grove
Keeping banks honest
In the United States, I saw a credit card offer with a zero fee for the first year, then $US59 per year, with two miles flyer rewards per dollar spent and a 40,000 mile reward bonus for joining. Australian banks have much higher fees, usually half a kilometre flyer points per dollar spent, and higher interest rates. Competition between banks? I do not believe it.
My superannuation was with a bank for years under the supposed benefit of "private banking" but I switched to an industry fund and it has outperformed the bank consistently. And recently I received a refund from the bank for overcharged fees, but the accompanying letter suggested it was being kind and generous to me. We need an inquiry into financial services.
David Lamb, Kew East
Serious conditions
Tony Abbott's comment that people with "bad backs and a bit of depression" have no right to claim the disability support pension shows an ignorance of the serious impact of these conditions. It also perpetuates the stigma that people with chronic pain experience when their condition is not taken seriously. As a former health minister, is he not aware that back pain is the most common cause of long-term disability globally, closely followed by mental health problems such as depression. More than 80per cent of war veterans live with chronic pain, as a direct result of their military service. Mr Abbott's comment was shameful.
Lesley Brydon, CEO, Painaustralia Pyrmont, NSW
Giving students clarity
Education Minister Simon Birmingham wants to clear the "fog and double speak that has clouded higher education admissions processes" so students can make informed decisions about what to study and where (The Age, 16/12). The issue is not whether universities have "gamed the system". As a former selection officer, I was well aware of how some universities manipulated ATARs. The issue is why they resort to this practice.
Loy Lichtman, Carnegie
I'm lost for words
Happy Christmas, all. Oops, no Christ, please. Happy holidays, all. Oh no, that means "happy holy days". So just happy days, but I wonder what "happy" really means? Oh well, goodbye. Oh, dear, that means "God be with you". Oh heck. Dear me, that means "hell". In my non-heteronormative way, just: "Have a good time over the days you are away from your normal occupation. All the best for 2017".
Mary Lane, Mornington
Presents for all ...
Peter Dutton, please note that the majority of people celebrating Christmas are not Christian believers. They are simply taking the opportunity of a few days off, enjoying some friendships and singing whatever they like. On my part, I am delivering gifts to anyone, regardless of their religion. From Santa Claus. (By the way, my roots are from Bari, Italy. The body of St Nicholas, the man Santa is based on, resides there.)
Lidio Bertelli, Dallas
... and pudding for us
We are one of those Anglo-Saxon families who, some time in the 1980's, "ditched" the hot roast in favour of fish for Christmas dinner (The Age, 16/12). However, we can't quite get to the point of ditching the pudding. That is one Christmas Day food tradition we are not in a hurry to drop.
Kate McCaig, Surrey Hills
Cruel and vindictive
The case by the Refugee Council of Australia on behalf of two Hazara men against the Immigration Department (Saturday Age, 17/12) illustrates that this government is more than just hard hearted in how it treats refugees. It is vindictive and this attitude permeates through the ranks down to the public servants dealing with the applications of these two men, granted refugee status, for citizenship. This is sickening to Australians who recall a time when this country was noted for its generosity. The government's Duttons and Turnbulls, and their subordinates in such behaviour, have much to answer for.
Ramesh Rajan, Camberwell
Relative spending
Peter Soucek (Letters, 16/12), Australia is well below the level of military spending of several countries' percentage of GDP if you use Forbes magazine' "selected countries" list, and dozens if you use the more complete World Bank data. The latter puts us around the rate for the upper-middle wealthy countries, and below rich countries. A better conclusion might be that we have no apparent enemies partly because we do maintain a potent military defence force.
Andy Knight, Hoppers Crossing
No method in madness
Peter Dunne (Letters, 17/12) asks why the NBN Co Limited refuses to tell him when the NBN will be available in his area. The reason is simple: it does not have the foggiest idea when its service will reach him. Have pity on the poor employees who have to deal with the public. You will never get near the "management" who run the shambles.
Bill Newton, Reservoir
Power to shareholders
The latest splurge on infrastructure proposals highlights that the only real planning governments do is how they can stay in power. From the 1950's to 1980's, I worked in a state water authority which planned ahead for increased consumption, maintenance and upgrading (as all government departments did then). This included a 10-year water plan under the Bolte government. Since then, governments have devolved responsibility for essential services – water, power, railways, transport – to private enterprise, whose main purpose is to increase profits to shareholders. Service, planning and maintenance have all suffered.
Keith Murley, Blairgowrie
Towards transparency
Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass is to be commended for her recommendation that councils should provide "audio recording wherever practicable of open and closed council meetings, and posting of audio recordings of open meetings on council websites" (Saturday Age, 17/12).
However, this will only provide a short-term solution. Most councils remove archived minutes of meetings from their websites after a period of time. They should be required to record their meetings electronically and publish these on their websites. Thirty days after the meeting, they should deposit a digital copy of the recordings with the Victorian Public Record Office. As a result, Victorians could begin to have confidence in councils' good governance, accountability and transparency.
Matthew Nickson, Newham
Important difference
The caption for a photo described the proposed ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, as a "Native American" ("Team Trump", Insight, 17/12). Her parents were Sikh, not Sioux. She is an Indian-American.
John Connor, Milsons Point, NSW
AND ANOTHER THING
Politics
Abbott says crossbenchers "succumb to the lure of the limelight". Sounds like the behaviour of a former PM.
Alison Davies, Surrey Hills
I hope "democracy sausage" was on the prison's menu for Obeid's first night behind bars.
Alexander Schilov, Strathmore
Peter Dunne (17/12), if you ever get the NBN, it will be the MTM (Malcolm Turnbull's Mess).
Rosalie Watson, Scottsdale, Tas
Why would MPs suggest changes to a system that allows most of them to own multiple properties?
Ross Hudson, Camberwell
Mr Abbott, is having a "bit of depression" similar to being a "bit pregnant"?
Edith Gordon, Brighton
Christmas
Dutton wants us to sing Christmas carols, but not behave like Christians.
Lorraine Benn, Longwarry
To paraphrase Basil Fawlty: "Don't mention Christmas". I did once, but think I got away with it.
Peter Wynd, Bamawm
Jesus, Mary and Joseph were asylum seekers. How would Dutton have dealt with them?
John Uren, Blackburn
At this time of political correctness, it's a wonder Christmas Island hasn't been renamed.
Nadia Wright, Middle Park
Many parents and grandparents don't mind what carols children sing in concerts. We're thrilled to see them taking part and having fun.
Meredith Andrews, Seacliff, SA
Furthermore
Dean Jones (17/12), Sobers is the greatest cricketer ever, not "the second greatest". However, Bradman is the greatest batsman.
Peter Forehan, Murrumbeena
An underground train from Alamein to Oakleigh, with stations under East Malvern and Chadstone, would solve the traffic/parking problem.
Graham Reynolds, Ballarat North