Nearly 30 years on, Dr Hewson agrees at last

John Hewson, a curious sense of deja vu came over me when I read your article. I support your concluding recommendations. Much, but not all (your GST had not come in then!) of the content of your article I covered, if less eloquently, in a letter I wrote to Bob Hawke (then prime minister) and you (then opposition leader) in 1991.When I rang Spring Street to ascertain the postal details, the secretary recommended I also send a copy to Sir Ninian Stephen who was chairing the constitutional law reform committee.

Having lived out of the country for some time, in Britain and New Zealand, it seemed to me that our constitution, drawn up over the 1890s, was inappropriate in the 1990s. I thought that as it was 10 years until 2001, there was enough time for the work for change to be done, to coincide with the centenary of Federation. How naive I was.

I received almost identical, dismissive, rather patronising replies from the offices of the Prime Minister and, ironically, the Leader of the Opposition. No doubt neither you nor Bob Hawke read my letter. Probably those replies were written by staff. From Sir Ninian Stephen, however, I received a most courteous, encouraging and interested reply, acknowledging the validity of several of my ideas. Good luck with your ideas.

Ros de Bruin, Balwyn

Let's start with the Senate and the states

John Hewson is one of our most sensible and rational political commentators. However, reform will be difficult as fewer and fewer Australians are interested in politics, and huge numbers think we live in the best country in the world and that nothing needs to be changed. That "blank piece of paper" sounds like a great idea. We could start by closing down that "unrepresentative swill", the Senate, which gets worse every year and is making the country almost ungovernable. And while we are at it, how about eliminating the states?

John Brennan, Surrey Hills

Scrap the dated constitution and then redraft it

John Hewson does not go far enough in his critique of our federal system. The constitution was written in the 19th century. As a blueprint for government, it is outdated. The next government should commission a constitutional convention in order to allow the Australian people to scrap it and redraft it so that it reflects the 21st century and beyond.

Brian Sanaghan, West Preston

We need to look forward to at least 100 years

John Hewson bemoans the short-term focus of our governments. He suggests we should define "where or what we would want our nation to be in (say) 30 years from now". However, in terms of the nation building that he advocates, this, too, seems very short-term. Unless we are prepared to look forward at least 100years, we might as well continue with the haphazard, "she'll be right" attitude towards planning matters – population size, urban development and environmental protection – which have got us to where we are now.

Rod Wise, Surrey Hills

THE FORUM

My world will narrow

I am a long-term campers at Walkerville and am devastated that the Walkerville Foreshore Reserve Committee has switched from allowing automatic renewals for the next summer to a "first come, first served" booking system (The Age, 4/1). This has been brought in without any consultation.

I suffer from chronic fatigue and my holiday consists of looking out at the beautiful view, watching the happy children cycling along the track, and being a surrogate grandma to the family who camps next door. This will be taken away from me and my world will narrow.

In the 100-metre strip near us, I counted at least eight empty sites on Thursday. This is a time for families and friends scattered across the state to re-bond with each other, something not to be lightly brushed aside. Are there any campers on the committee? No doubt most have holiday houses nearby that they can enjoy each summer with no fear of missing out.

Ann Romain, Sale

Public sites for the public

The decision by the Walkerville Foreshore Reserve Committee is sensible and fair. The public sites should be available to all and not be reserved from year to year. One family has had unfettered access to a "public" campsite for 24 years and yet they complain. I suggest that those who are complaining about the change should go online and select a site, as is required. If they are not prepared to do this, then they should consider renting a property. Or, to be sure of getting what they want, they could purchase a property at Walkerville.

Ian Kerr, Blairgowrie

Dangerous isolation

Clare Boyd-MacRae writes a lovely, romantic article (Comment, 3/1). It is a pity that swimming alone at a deserted beach is the message we do not want to give. Drowning alone beckons.

Rennis Witham, Williamstown

Welcoming the fall

Your headline, "City price falls worst in a decade" (Letters, 3/1) has it upside down. They are the "best" falls in a decade. My wife and I have one house. It is as many as we can live in at the one time. Its value remains much the same over time relative to that of everyone else's house, regardless of changes in prices. Let us hope prices keep falling from their ludicrous levels of recent years. Some inter-generational equity will be restored. Let us hope, too, that Labor does not lose its nerve on reforming the negative gearing provisions on residential property.

Frank Hurley, Alfredton

You can cry me a river

The Liberal Party has a women's problem, but so do its women. Julie Bishop and other Liberal women were complicit in the abuse and sexism that Julia Gillard received as prime minister. I cannot recall her calling out her male colleagues for their appalling behaviour.

While the Liberal women are getting a lot of undeserved sympathy, more attention should be drawn to women who deserve it: those who fight for other women regardless of their political status, beliefs or opinions. The Liberal women only cry "sexism" when it turned against their favour. They shall never receive my sympathy.

Elizabeth O'Connor, Glen Huntly

Will the cowboys get off?

The toxic waste dumps (The Age, 4/1) are further examples of deregulation and self-regulation gone wrong. The scenario will be all too familiar. The business, when called to account, will be found to be bankrupt (standard business practice), leaving the taxpayer with the clean-up bill. The owners, being bankrupt, will be unable to pay any fine.

The situation is a disgrace. At worst, these cowboys should be charged with something like reckless conduct endangering life and, if found guilty, receive the maximum possible prison sentence. Of course, nothing of the like will happen as this is "just doing business".

Ross Hudson, Camberwell

Prepare for toxic fire

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne Water, councils, mobile laboratories, the police, the CSIRO and Department of Human Services need to work together on an operational plan in case there is a fire at an illegal, or legal, toxic site. It needs to be co-ordinated by someone like Workplace Safety Minister Jill Hennessy.

We should look at new ways to handle fires such as the one at the contaminated factory in West Footscray last year, to stop collateral damage to waterways and air pollution. By not pouring water on to the fire, the combustion temperature would rise and help burn off toxic particles. The fire service would be deployed to contain the fire to protect neighbouring structures. The water used for this would not pollute. We need to act now.

Ron Congues, Mount Eliza

To pick up or not pick up

Claire Rodier (Letters, 4/1), as a long-term dog walker and "picker upper" of dog poo and correct disposal of same, I too wonder whether it is better to leave it if one is not going to dispose of it correctly.

Lynette Payne, Richmond

It's actions that matter

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but I do not care what our various "leaders" look like (The Age, 3/1). In the case of sportspeople, for example, I am unlikely to recognise any of them. I care about the policies and programs of "leaders", so I am far more interested in lord mayor Sally Capp's agenda for the City of Melbourne than in her appearance.

Juliet Flesch, Kew

Simple: don't do drugs

Mick Palmer says "a majority of the country" wants pill testing (Comment, 3/1). Please substantiate that statement. And let us teach our young people responsibility. The simple message is: "Don't do drugs. Ignore this advice at your peril." (I was a member of VicPol from 1962 to 1969 and the Australian Federal Police from 1969 until 1980, leaving with the rank of detective inspector.)

Declan Keeghan, Boronia

Personal responsibility

Mick Palmer continues the trend of advocating societal intervention for a problem while failing to attach any responsibility to those who have contributed to it. Individuals who choose to use harmful and unknown substances, despite the mountain of evidence about the dangers, are responsible for the consequences.

You cannot test for everything. Also, given the quality control surrounding illicit drug production, testing one pill or even part of a pill tells you nothing about the next one. As for the reasoning that society's values and sense of responsibility have to change because drug use will always be with us, what's next? Logically, we will see advocates absolving individuals of responsibility for their involvement in all types of antisocial behaviour.

Robert Boffey, Macleod

Show courage, save lives

Mick Palmer cannot understand how the Andrews government supported an injecting room in Richmond yet is opposed to pill testing. However, its support was based on political expediency, not an evidence-based approach to drug policy.

Successive governments' "war on drugs" platform criminalises a health problem and ignores the reality of people's choices to use drugs. Mr Andrews has parliamentary support and a policy template in the Greens' proposals for a harm minimisation approach to drugs, substance use and addiction. I hope he can set aside political animosity for the sake of community health and safety.

Michelle Goldsmith, Eaglehawk

Such a Sydney proposal

Sydney may be considered more low-brow than Melbourne but could anything possibly be built which shrieks grandiose and tacky louder than its proposed W Hotel (Business, 3/1)? It would be better suited to ... on second thoughts, nowhere, really.

Susan Poole, Mildura

My ultimate abstinence

Will Bennett (Letters, 3/1), not making new year resolutions has long been my approach, too. As a kid, when my dear old mum said it was time to give up something for Lent, I always chose abstinence. We were both happy in our ignorance.

Peter O'Keefe, Collingwood

AND ANOTHER THING

Liberals and women

When will The Age understand the Liberal Party doesn't have a "woman problem". It has a man problem.

Beth Wilson, South Yarra

Will Vanstone blame Shorten?

Les Anderson, Woodend

Jenna Price (4/1), thank you for the compelling insights.

John Lehner, Ormond

Environment

All trees have their own beauty, Gerald Delany (4/1), but only Australian trees can give us a "sense of place" here.

Diana Snape, Balwyn

Is there a more useless invention than the noise-polluting leaf blower? A broom is a handy alternative.

John Acott, Sandringham

Precisely, Rod Cripps (3/1). That's the wish of Rye Beach Patrol volunteers. If you see rubbish, please pick it up even if you didn't drop it.

Julie Jame, Rye

Economics

The millionaires' yacht "test" (4/1) doesn't pass the pub test. Who's surprised?

Deb Bain-King, Footscray

Those who rely on fixed term deposits, with low interest rates, have long been forgotten.

Malcolm McDonald, Burwood

The fall in real estate prices (3/1) isn't the "worst in a decade". It's the best. Now people can buy a house without having to sell a kidney.

Mark Hassed, Canterbury

Furthermore

I sigh with relief when I see a six by six Kenken, not the kindergarten level four by four version (Puzzles).

Doug Shapiro, Doncaster East

Cricket Australia has produced few batsmen and no Test level pitches. It's only interested in the One Day and Big Bash League dollar.

Keith Robinson, Glen Waverley

The Barmy Army "lost all its credibility" (3/1)? When did it have any?

James Lane, Hampton East

Test the dills, not the pills.

Paul Custance, Highett

It's not that Queen's music failed to appeal. To me and my mates, the band was really uncool.

Ross Crawford, Frankston

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