With its decision to terminate the mental health care services provided by Doctors Without Borders, the government of Nauru has eliminated the last barrier to its deadly attrition of innocent people, including children. Self-harm and suicide attempts will increase with the destruction of hope. We cannot allow this to happen. The government must transfer this very small group of people here, or permit them to go to a more welcoming country such as New Zealand. Australia must not become a model of inhumanity towards refugees.

Lilli Lipa, Ashburton

The slow disintegration of human beings

The act of denying refugees on Nauru the mental health services which they desperately need is beyond shameful by the governments of Australia and Nauru. It is a crime against humanity and our obligations under the Refugee Convention. To put people with severe trauma in prisons, rather than hospitals, is criminal. How much longer will our government accept this intolerable situation – the slow disintegration of human beings?

Judith Morrison, Mount Waverley

Would I treat someone in my family like this?

In my line of work, a useful test is the "my child rule": Would I be happy if my child were treated in the way I propose to treat this patient? Variants include the "my parent" and "my partner" rules. Perhaps Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison (a Christian, I believe) might consider applying this rule to their own behaviour when dealing with detainees on Nauru and Manus Island.

Dr Eric Kennelly, Ballarat Central

We must bring the asylum seekers to Australia

The cruelty of the Australian government in keeping asylum seekers on Nauru and on Manus Island, leading them into a downward spiral of despair, has been condemned by the UNHCR and now Medecins Sans Frontieres.

It is not necessary to keep them in these hell holes. Boats can be turned back; Australia has a dedicated naval force to do this. The government is selfishly destroying the lives of adults and children, and falsely claiming to "protect" our borders in order to keep the public in a state of fear to reap political advantage. The asylum seekers, innocent of any offence, must be brought to Australia, rehabilitated, and welcomed into our community.

Gael Barrett, Balwyn North

What happened to our welcoming country?

As an Amnesty International member, I have worked for many years to end the use of torture in other countries. I never thought I would see the day where the Australian government would use torture.

Margaret Hanrahan, Thornbury

THE FORUM

It's our public space so...

Sneaking a "global Apple flagship store" into Federation Square (The Age, 11/10) is Melbourne's "Opera House" moment. I am convinced that politicians have no understanding at all of how communities highly value their public spaces and do not want them diminished by gross commercial interests. The artist's impression of the latest design clearly illustrates how this multinational company's building will dominate Melbourne's cultural icon and its interface with the Yarra River.

Gary Bateman, North Melbourne

... keep out, Apple

The only reason we know anything about Apple's plan in Federation Square is through Freedom of Information. The state government "rammed through the demolition plans" and did not consult with Melbourne City Council (apart from telling former lord mayor Robert Doyle) or the people of Melbourne. Apple is only interested in flogging its product. It has no respect for our city or our square, and it does not give a toss about the public outrage. Go away, Apple. You are not wanted here.

Joan Johnson, Camberwell

Missing out with NDIS

Our son has a severe disability and attends an adult training centre during the week. There, until recently, he engaged in recreational activities which extended his abilities, such as horse riding and swimming. These were group activities, with transport and supervision by trained and experienced educators.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme has slashed funding to this centre as its policy is to fund the individual person with a disability. This will benefit some people. However, the consequence for our son is that he can no longer pursue activities he enjoys and which help manage his behaviour.

The expectation is that he attends with an untrained carer and travels in a taxi. Trained and consistent staff are essential to his ability to make sense of his world. His NDIS plan does not cover him for supervision by an educator, but an untrained carer at a lower rate which does not fulfil his needs. Did the NDIS' designers consider the needs of people like our son when they slashed funding?

Patti Bradbury, Melbourne

A cause for concern

Disgraceful but not surprising: the government calls in the Australian Federal Police to investigate the leaking of information about Peter Dutton's preferential treatment of requests for visas for au pairs (The Age, 12/10). However, barely an eyebrow was raised at his questionable behaviour in helping out "'mates/acquaintances" in the face of contrary advice from his department. When will we hear about the Home Affairs Minister being called to account?

Alan Bright, Neerim South

Disrespect to our icon

What an insult to Victorian viewers on Thursday (ABC News, 11/10). No finale for Ian Henderson, no sign off. Instead, a pathetic link to Sydney. No explanation or reference to the "fault". I am sure Mr Henderson will take this with good humour. What a story for him. But I wanted to farewell a Victorian icon. Doing what l have done for years: watching him.

Barbara Bereznicki, Dingley

A double standard

Why are we wasting time encouraging students to study STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – when our politicians constantly ignore any recommendations scientists make, all the while cutting funding to scientific bodies?

Aileen Hewat, East Melbourne

Punishing ourselves?

Go ahead and punish the banks (The Age, 12/10), but be mindful that the vast majority of us have shares in them via our superannuation funds and that, ultimately, we will all suffer.

Paul Cook, Yarraville

Laughing, 52 years on...

Ysenda Maxtone Graham's article – "I owe it all to scathing school reports" (Comment, 12/10) – brought memories of my schooldays flooding back. I still have my 1966 school report which bears the headmaster's comment: "A pleasant girl and a useful prefect but no great scholar". My mother was so incensed that she threatened to go "up to that school" and complain. While it may not have spurred me on to become a David Bowie or Peter Ustinov, it has now joined the family vernacular. It's also my standard excuse whenever I am struggling with some obscure spelling, or failing to solve one of DA's pesky crosswords.

June Collini, Diamond Creek

... but the pain can linger

I still remember walking into the classroom of my girls' school in New Zealand in 1964, and the teacher saying: "Margaret, every time I see you, you get fatter than ever". More than 50 years later, the humiliation I felt that day is still with me. However, I had a sensible mother who helped me change my eating habits and I lost weight. Since then, I have never been overweight, so maybe I should be grateful to Mrs Leitch.

Margaret Loadman, Mount Eliza

Stopping all oppression

Lyle Shelton suggests religious freedoms which have been lost in "a post same-sex marriage world" should be restored (The Age, 12/10). He forgets that one person's freedom can be another's oppression. When society chooses to stop oppression, schools which wish to continue it should not be publicly funded to do so.

Tim Watson, Castlemaine

Please explain, Lyle

If Lyle Shelton is going to "allow" gay students to be educated but expel them if they have sex, one can only assume he advocates for all students who have sex to be expelled, as pre-marital sex is forbidden by his book and his church. Will he advocate for teachers who divorce to be fired? For those who consume shellfish, gamble or wear mixed fibres to be stripped of their education or career?

He talks of a confirmation of his worst fears, a changed life in a "post same-sex marriage world". Perhaps he can describe how his life changed when I did it. Surely he can name the date if there were so much commotion? Or perhaps he should be honest and admit he hates gay people.

John Lovett, St Kilda

Freedom and tolerance

Of course the freedom of worship is a major defining feature of a tolerant society. However, that religious freedom does not grant the right to be intolerant. Civil laws and civil liberties must override intolerance in a democratic and tolerant society.

Roger Dunscombe, Richmond

The good and the evil

To declare "religion is good for you" (Opinion, 11/10) is a gross over-simplification. Some religion is good, some is very bad. In many large religious traditions, there are those who believe in inclusivity and espouse compassionate ways of behaving. There are also those who have an excluding faith and advocate actions that can cruelly marginalise, even kill, with presumably a clear conscience.

Freedom of religion in our multi-faith culture does not mean the right to be cruel to any member of the family of humanity because of their gender orientation. Maybe we should keep in mind that ancient, pithy remark "So much good done in the name of religion, so much evil".\

Ian Higgins, retired Uniting Church minister, Mornington

High cost of fine food

The Good Food Guide would be more relevant if the pay and conditions of workers were included as part of the scoring process. If customers knew workers were helping restaurants achieve good reviews by enduring 12-hour shifts without a break, under-payment, disregard for health and safety, and being bullied by owners, then those with a social conscience might find a more palatable alternative.

Susan Russell, Queenscliff

Just a tweak or two

The AFL rules committee (Sport, 12/10)should meet only once a year and that's at Christmas time for drinks, a little tweak of the rules and to fix up the few that they got wrong.

Neil Ashworth, Torquay

AND ANOTHER THING

Politics

Mr Morrison, as a Christian: Where the bloody hell are you for the sick and hopeless children on Nauru?

Elizabeth Meredith, Surrey Hills

When will they be released? It's wicked that they are there, and for so long.

Merle Mitchell, Mount Eliza

This policy is traumatising the already traumatised. No wonder their mental health has suffered.

John Black, Warragul

It's time for Ol' King Coal to abdicate gracefully.

Kristin Knorr, St Andrews

Religious freedom

Don't enshrine into law the right of the delusional to persecute the innocent.

David Main, Lower Plenty

Why should citizens who are discriminated against pay taxes to support institutions which discriminate against them?

Dorothy Waterfield, Seaholme

Will churches have the legal right to turn away gay clergy?

Tony McNally, Melbourne

Is "religious freedom" the latest term for bigotry?

Ian Maddison, Parkdale

Thank you, Denis Dragovic for "Religion is good for you and for your community" (11/10).

Gabriele Richter, East Hawthorn

Hasn't enough damage been done to children under the cloak of religious freedom?

Jerry Koliha, South Melbourne

A kid with the courage to come out in a religious school should be a candidate for captain, not expulsion.

Catherine Haslock, Fitzroy North

Furthermore

Hendo, we'll miss you. Pity someone pulled the plug on you. Good luck.

Les Silverman, Brighton East

High five, LA, for replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. That's an Americanism I'd embrace.

Heather Marsland, Fitzroy North

When the Pope has a uterus, he'll have that right to comment on women's choices re abortion.

Merilyn Tabor, Point Lonsdale

Todd Woodbridge, stop making excuses for Kyrgios' behaviour (10/10). Tennis lovers are well and truly over it.

Alan Muir, Mount Eliza

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