Why are we obsessed with politicians' entitlements ("Pilot error? Ley flys into new storm", January 11)? Is it because they are not managing the country? Where are the actions on domestic gas prices, fuel security, policies for employment? Maybe if our politicians were doing their job and developing some policies there would be less interest in their entitlements.
Richard Hogg Orange
So Sussan Ley has been piloting private charter planes instead of using commercial flights. That would explain why she seems to have her head in the clouds when it comes to spending public funds.
Doug Walker Baulkham Hills
I suggest that politicians pay their travel expenses from their own pockets and then submit a claim afterwards.
For approval the claim should be sent to me.
Clive McLellan Baulkham Hills
Bronwyn gave us Choppergate; now Sussan has given us Chartergate.
John Hadfield Armidale
Polo: the sport of kings and foreign ministers ("Political expenses scandal: Julie Bishop billed taxpayers for polo trip", January 11).
John de Bres Rose Bay
Maybe I am alone in this but I would need to be paid to attend a polo match.
David Storrs Chatswood
Time to take the silver spoon out of your mouth Malcolm Turnbull, and start talking and leading. The Born to Spend party is out of control.
Cynthia Humphreys South Yarra (Vic)
My only transgression in 30 years of public service was to accidentally use a corporate credit card to pay for my petrol, which could have led to instant dismissal according to public service rules. When I fessed up, I had to explain to my bosses how it happened, how I planned to ensure I never did it again, and had to receive counselling, all documented and sent to the parliamentary secretary. Are ministers stupid, dishonest, or just reliant on the ubiquitous arrogance that rules only apply to others?
Andrew Scott Pymble
Drain The Lake (Burley Griffin).
Adrian Pokorny Surry Hills
Make Australia fair again.
Jim Hamilton Kirrawee
I am all in favour of encouraging politicians, particularly ministers, to get out of Canberra (as much as possible) and experience the "real world". The widespread cost to us all of not doing so would certainly far outweigh the minuscule costs saved in tightening the MP travel entitlements scheme, particularly considering the history of how badly an elite, isolated and narrow-minded governing class can "govern".
Pasquale Vartuli Wahroonga
Peter MacLeod-Miller (Letters, January 11) may well be venerable but I feel his support of Sussan Ley at this time somewhat misguided. Her good work does not excuse the misuse of public funds if indeed these accusations are substantiated.
Richard Tainsh Woollahra
Who could doubt that The Venerable Peter MacLeod-Miller is a man of faith; blind faith, it seems.
Donald Hogg Red Hill (Qld)
Following his zealous pursuit of Centrelink miscreants, I suggest the Prime Minister sool Minister Tudge onto all parliamentarians with a taste for travel. "Minister for Human Services and Troughs" has a certain ring about it.
Gilly Truman Bowral
Trade Minister Steve Ciobo thinks it is incredibly bureaucratic and ridiculous for politicians to be asked to verify all purchases ("Politicians fail to certify their spending bill", January 11). When he does provide certification, it is with the amendment, "to the best of my knowledge". I assume he agrees it is outrageous that we plebs must provide proof of claimed deductions, when requested by the Australian Taxation Office. After all none of us has ever lied either, to the best of my knowledge.
Graham Lum North Rocks
For all those bellyaching about our parliamentarians and their rorting of entitlements: if you have ever paid a tradie in cash instead of on the books; if you have ever printed out a personal document at the office instead of home; or if you have ever made even one "iffy" claim on your tax return; then you are on the very same continuum as them.
It seems a person's word, an oath or affirmation, a handshake, the notions of individual honour, honesty and integrity, are of less value in our society today than they have ever been. I'm not sure that the reintroduction of The Fear of God would help, but it is certainly the case that when the makers of the law break the law, there is no law.
Jennifer Parkin Point Frederick
Demolition leaves room for new centre city theatres
As Sydney prepares for more demolition of office blocks to make way for the underground metro line, is this not the perfect time to put some inspired above-ground thinking into the city's future ("Prepare for disruption in the CBD as towers set to topple for metro line", January 11)?
One block in question is the Castlereagh Street (Tiffany's) corner of Martin Place. This is near the site that once housed the magnificent Prince Edward Theatre. Anyone who remembers the superb old theatres this city has lost wanders through the city now with huge pangs of nostalgia and anger that these wonderful structures were demolished to be replaced with faceless office buildings.
With the pending demolition of many of these unmemorable structures, maybe it is time for the City of Sydney to push for the future inclusion of a mid-town Lyric-style theatre or two in any re-build on these sites. What perfect locations, with an underground station below.
One has only to experience the mid-city buzz of Melbourne's theatrical life to know what this means for a city.
Its six major mid-town theatres are enviable. There is more to a city's pulse than endless shopping malls and nine-to-five office block activity.
Time to stand back and give Sydney's future a different vision.
Greg Vale Kiama
A valid voice on literacy and numeracy
At last we have a perceptive and committed teacher such as Emily Hehir speaking publicly about the impediment to learning caused by the effects of ill-informed promotion of electronic devices, unstructured learning environments and ideological commitment to "creativity" at the expense of critical thinking ("Put away the tech distractions", January 11).
She has identified the generational transformation of the methodology of teaching in this country. This change is of a magnitude that few parents understand. Yet its effects are clearly reflected in the profoundly disturbing decline in our children's literacy and numeracy standards when measured against international standards.
The government needs to listen to educators like Emily if we are to rebuild our educational institutions.
Vicki Sanderson Cremorne
Steady on, Emily Hehir. In no school are books and classroom management taboo; no technology advocate claims that apps replace good teaching. Please don't denigrate our profession while declaring your own resistance to change.
Adele Walker Ashfield
Debt collection bad look
The Human Services Minister Alan Tudge says the robot debt collection system is "working" ("Centrelink debt letter surge to resume as government promises tweaks to the system", smh.com.au, January 11). If by "working", Tudge means that the robot system is going like the clappers pulling money from the most vulnerable, he does not understand what is driving the apoplexy of the public.
At a time when we can all hear the snuffling of snouts in the parliamentary allowances trough, it is time to redesign a system that denies the least skilled and able the ability to dispute a debt before the government's hand is allowed to go into their pocket. And, I know this is asking a bit, but, if Mr Tudge cannot fix it, the Prime Minister ought to have a chat with him. This business is a terrible look for the government.
Joe Weller Lewisham
The new "Tudge" order. Anyone on benefits who makes an error is deliberately defrauding the country, any MP abusing their expenses claims has simply made a mistake.
Brenton McGeachie Queanbeyan West
Largely overlooked in the Centrelink scandal is the reprehensible practice of selling the alleged beneficiary debts (and at what discount?) to private collection agencies. What happens when, inevitably, it is established an agency has extorted payment of a debt that never existed? What rights of redress arise from this bogus collection trail? Perhaps an avenue to revive Slater & Gordon's failing fortunes.
Geoffrey Briot Stanmore
Freedom to a tee
Women have every right in our free society to make a religious statement by wearing a headscarf that clearly defines them as Muslim, men the right to wear the headwear customary for Sikhs ("Bold Nick", January 11). The same right applies to Nick Kyrgios. He can make a political statement by wearing an anti Trump T-shirt â or any other T-shirt providing it is not obscene. Freedom of dress is as important as free speech â which should, of course, be clearly separated from hate speech .
Stephanie Edwards Wollstonecraft
Leader's responsibility
News of the Rohingya exodus swelling amid reports of Myanmar security forces' atrocities makes a mockery of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's reputation ("Persecuted Rohingya swell camps", January 11). Her many years of living and studying abroad would have taught her the key Westminster concept of leaders being responsible for their government's failings. She has to do more to address this issue.
Steve Ngeow Chatswood
Oratory most brilliant
Whatever you may think of Meryl Streep's politically-motivated acceptance speech, it, along with the introduction by Viola Davis, must be among the two best-crafted speeches deliveredin the history of the Golden Globe Awards ("Meryl Streep's rant on Donald Trump was hateful and ignorant", smh.com.au January 11).
George Fishman Vaucluse
Fair go for clean cars
As Sydney deals with heat and dangerous ozone (mostly due to vehicles) why need to ask do we continue to penalise owners of clean electric vehicles by imposing luxury taxes on them ("Sydney on the alert", January 11)?
Barbara Davis Cheltenham
Nepotism a big worry
It cannot be more clear that society does not operate on a level playing field ("A bit rich that wealth trumps success, January 11).
The high barriers to entry encourage nepotism in politics. Are we getting the best people to do the job of running our country?
Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and Alexander Downer: all privileged school boys who when tested have proven to be duds.
Now the spectre of Trumpism is haunting our land. What next? Abbott as prime minister and one of his daughters or future sons-in-law as a top adviser?
Chris Moe Bensville
Nippers need headwear
Just back from the beach where, historically, the highest number of nippers are enrolled in Sydney; holiday nipper camp was in full swing. It's astounding there and at almost all surf clubs, nippers still wear only the traditional surf club skull caps for long hours spent on land activities as well as in the water.
No matter how much or how often you apply sunscreen, it won't be enough. Headwear is needed. Surf clubs should know the risks of skin cancers better than most.
Tim Egan Mosman
Trees get the chop
They are removing 527 carbon-gathering trees from Euston Road ("Anger as hundreds of trees to make way for motorway", January 11). How many vehicles pushing out carbon each year will this add to our roads? All us convertible drivers can just keep sucking it up.
Neil Duncan Balmain
Brother and sister act
Shaun the Sheep is wonderful but please don't overlook the delightful Charlie and Lola, Lorna Denham (Letters, January 11). These loving siblings are creative, respectful, inclusive and very funny.
Wendy Davies Campbelltown
Password panic
I am one of the older generation grappling with the technology available these days ("Put away the tech distractions", January 11). I try my best, but I have to say the scariest question I can be asked is, "what is your password?"
Janet Scilly Warrawee
Miners in a rush
If mining approvals are "taking too long", and must be shortened so that the environment is put at risk, why not lodge them earlier (Letters, January 11)? After all, the coal and minerals have been there a long time.
Richard Ure Epping
Trump bumped?
Hello, President Pence ("(Russia has evidence of 'perverted acts' committed by Donald Trump: reports", smh.com.au, January 11).
Thos Puckett Ashgrove
Well that adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "trickle-down economics".
Peter Arthur Artarmon