With the strong possibility now of a debate on voluntary euthanasia in the NSW Parliament, I suggest an advocacy group called "Equal Rights for Humans" be formed to air their views to members of Parliament ("NSW to debate law on voluntary euthanasia", January 16). People can be charged with cruelty for allowing animals to suffer, so why should the same laws not apply to those who deny the right of voluntary euthanasia to humans who are suffering?
Sandra Burke North Sydney
I find the AMA's position on voluntary euthanasia baffling. It is very unlikely the proposed bill will oppose the AMA policy that palliative care is the appropriate treatment for terminal illness in the "vast majority" of cases. It is surely the unfortunate minority who do not find relief from palliative care that the legislation is intended to address. If a patient is beyond the help of the medical profession, why would its association oppose a dignified end to their suffering?
James Buckman Enmore
Premier Mike Baird and Opposition Leader Luke Foley will not support the proposed bill. What right have they to oppose it? They are both relatively young and healthy. Will they feel the same when they are otherwise.
John Torpy Dural
Baird and Foley both need a reality check. People just don't say goodbye, close their eyes and stop breathing. There is a process called the "dying process" and it has again taken the people at the coalface, the nurses, to point it out. Unlike the Australian Medical Association who are as far removed from that process as possible. Good palliative care is delivered by nurses and good palliative care inevitability, in trying to effectively control pain, makes the patient semi-conscious, incoherent and incontinent. Rarely dignified.
It is time that there was a clear separation of church and state and politicians voted for what the majority of their constituents want.
Cathy Davitt Waverley
Andrew Denton is right ("The theocracy hidden inside our democracy", January 16). Confused medieval religious beliefs also nobble education, same-sex marriage and especially our inhumane refugee and immigration policy. We are about 50 per cent secular. We need to go all the way and remove religion's warped influence on our public life. No religion in schools, no prayers before Parliament, no swearing on Bibles or Korans etc. To create a society that is fair and unified we need to become a fully secular, multicultural democracy. All religions and beliefs welcome, none favoured and all operating under the one set of laws. No exceptions.
Phil Bradshaw Naremburn
Arguments like those espoused by Andrew Denton are nothing new. British politicians used much the same argument over two centuries ago, in opposing William Wilberforce's campaign against the slave trade.
Roger Gallagher Merrylands
I cannot refute the argument for voluntary euthanasia in the case of terminally ill people whose pain cannot be managed by current palliative strategies. However the case for voluntary euthanasia is not advanced when people claim that the value of human life is dependent upon "dignity" and "independence". In death there are only degrees of indignity and dependence.
As for the claim of theocratic conspiracy to account for the current prohibition on voluntary euthanasia that is laughable at best and paranoid at worst.
Mark Porter New Lambton
I completely agree with the comments of Andrew Denton about those denying us the right to have assisted dying legislation.
Only, when we he talks of a "theocracy" I would substitute the term "control freaks".
We did not ask to come into this world, and then for most our our human life, we are being told by others how we should conduct ourselves.
So surely we should have the right to exit the world as we see fit.
Jim Banks Pottsville Beach
It is obvious from Luke Foley's comments that he has not a clue who assisted dying legislation is meant for. It is a choice to end the sufferings of those who are in a living hell. It is certainly not meant to discard the elderly.
Sally Kling Newport
Crucial that rail line is free of construction flaws
With the 40th anniversary of the Granville train disaster this week, the NSW Government better ensure that the Northwest rail line is safe ("Safety fears over $20 billion Metro rail project", January 16). Otherwise, it's going to be a financial disaster. The public aren't going to use it if it's got fundamental construction flaws even before it's finished.
Stephen Thomas Wahroonga
My father, Ian Reckord, was a passenger on the train that was ripped apart and then crushed by the Bold St Bridge, Granville, in 1977. Luckily, he was running late and jumped on the fifth carriage at Penrith Station rather than walking forward to one of the non-smoking carriages as he normally did. However, in an era before mobile phones, it wasn't until 11 or 12 o'clock that my family heard from my father – an agonising couple of hours. The whole family was at home because it was school holidays.
My father, a Korean War veteran, assisted where he could at the scene. He received a letter of recognition and a medal for his actions although I will never know how badly he was affected by the accident. Men didn't talk about those sort of things. There was no talk of class actions and it just seemed like a tragic accident. The degree to which the rail system had been neglected and the fact that it should never have happened would only emerge in subsequent inquiries.
Our family got out of it lightly and I can't imagine the pain that other families went through. So many lives unnecessarily lost. It is extremely unfortunate that it took so long for an apology to be forthcoming. So many of those affected, including my father, will have died in the meantime.
Neil Reckord Armidale
Why be a pollie? It's all about the after-life
Ross MacPherson (Letters, January 16) asks why anyone would want to be a politician. The answer is that they get to retire on a fat non-asset-tested pension, plus sundry perks, even though they usually fall into a well-paid job when they've finished their stint.
Sally James (Letters, January 16) asks why it is always the women who are exposed first and lose their jobs. There is not enough room allowed on the letters page to fully answer that one, but in the case of Sussan Ley – who fancied herself a free spirit in Parliament – it was because she hadn't the political smarts (unlike Julie Bishop) to shore up a support base for times like these.
Alicia Dawson Balmain
Sussan et al, already have to satisfy the rules set down by the federal Remuneration Tribunal regarding allowances and travel. This body sets the standard, why can't they also adjudicate compliance? No need for another office. Unless this mob is part of the problem.
Al Wetten Scarborough
I'm no medico, but watching Arthur "I'm no Sinnerdinious" give evidence at the Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry I couldn't help but wonder if he has that rare and aggressive medical condition, "Credo operatione", which attacks long- and short-term memory, and morality ("Senator has minor ICAC millstone around his neck", January 16). A medical retirement rather than a portfolio may be more appropriate for Arthur at this time.
Elizabeth Starr Chiswick
Dead letters best place for Dastyari
A sequin-suited Sam Dastyari fancies himself as a latter-day Elvis. Now, if only he'd practised Return to Sender. ("After a stint in heartbreak hotel, Sam is putting on the moves," January 16).
Rosemary O'Brien Georges Hall
I hope Dastyari paid for his own trip to Parkes.
Col Nicholson Hawks Nest
Dastyari is really doing a Trump. Be it a mountain of manila folders to make it look like Trump is divesting business interests, or a white pant-suit with spangles to make us think Shanghai Sam's back in the US fold, it's all political window-dressing, and we're tired of it.
Peter Fleming Ryde
Drowning a lesser risk
The death of Sudanese refugee Faysal Ishak Ahmed is the latest tragedy adding to the many in this sinister, shameful saga of our nation's humanitarian history ("Refugee's death to be probed by Senate committee", January 16).
The risk of further refugees suffering, possibly perishing by our government's systemic, single-minded neglect has by far superseded that of drowning at sea in attempting to reach our UN sanctioned shores.
Let's trust that the eminent parliamentary committee charged with investigating allegations of abuse acts swiftly to prevent any more needless suffering.
Cleveland Rose Dee Why
Australia as a refuge
Neville Warner (Letters, January 16) is right. As well as becoming neutral, we should set ourselves up as a sanctuary to help the victims of war, as we did in the Kosovo war. We can offer temporary homes and support for victims, hospital and medical help for the injured, interim schooling for the young ones and psychological help for those distressed by the war and evacuation from their homes. They can be flown here, where because of our isolated position war victims will be as safe as possible. After their area is safe, we can fly them home and help with reparations. This could also be offered in times of natural disasters where a large area is devastated such as after an earthquake. We could end up having a good reputation, unlike now, and all this would cost less than the toys and adventures of war!
Valerie Craig Orange
Seagulls in decline
Peter French (Letters, January 5) raises the disappearance of seagulls at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Not just at the SCG, as surveys by the Office of Environment and Heritage show a declining number of breeding pairs over many years on the Five Islands. Their eggs and chicks are thrown off boats into Sydney Harbour, they are caught and die in netting on tourist spots, i.e. Cockatoo Island, and their breeding habitat destroyed. Many consider our native seagulls to be a pest but they will be missed when our harbour becomes silent.
Lyn Fowler Birchgrove
Merger should proceed
It's frustrating to read of the obsession that the mayor of Woollahra and the majority of councillors share with the halting of the merger forced by the NSW government ("Councillor sounds alarm over funds for merger action", January 16). Nobody has ever asked anyone in my street in Paddington are they for or against the merger.
Many residents would like to see a merger for improved services. It's irresponsible to waste ratepayers' money to fund this unnecessary and expensive court case. I wonder, if this case fails in court will the mayor resign?
Dennis Halloran Paddington
Something to like about the super-rich
Jessica Irvine's article "Super-rich gather to tell us how to live" reminded me of the quote by Nancy Astor: "The only thing I like about rich people is their money."
My sentiments exactly.
Edward Loong Milsons Point
Big Bash's raw emotion
The raw emotion of Big Bash cricket was bound to bring out the naked ambition of some fans ("Streakers face $5500 fines", January 16).
Allan Gibson Cherrybrook
Finesse v power
Federer: Lots of finesse, not enough power. Kyrgios: Lots of power, not enough finesse ("Open slater – Federer's back", January 16).
Mustafa Erem Terrigal
Irascible Donald
Peter Russell (Letters, January, 16) envisages a cartoon of Trump as a cocky rooster. With respect, perhaps an irascible Donald Duck?
Pasquale Vartuli Wahroonga
Hopefully 'Cock of the walk' Trump (Letters 16/1/17) will be a feather duster soon.
Sally Spurr Longueville
It would appear from the purges that Trump and his aides are embarking on and the employment of a number of Goldman Sachs alumni he is not draining the swamp so much as changing the water ("Trump purges Obama officials", January 16).
Rodney Crute Hunters Hill
The Electoral College was designed to keep out people not suitable for the presidency. It needs to go back to school.
Gary Frances Bexley