Democracy dries up in search of solution to Murray-Darling mess

Jeannette Tsoulos, West Pymble

Australia has water problems. The Murray-Darling system isn't working. Our cotton and rice industries should be phased out: let the southern Asian countries, who depend on these crops, grow them for consumption and sell them to us. Another big problem, in our climate, is evaporation. Years ago I was impressed, driving through Morocco, by the way they solved this; concrete water pipes to divert streams open to the ravaging sunshine.

Adrian Cooper, Queens Park

I have been to Broken Hill a good number of times and love how the place is making every effort to survive. They still have mining interests and a fantastic arts community. My last trip was via Wilcannia, White Cliffs and the Menindee Lakes. The amount of wildlife in this area, and the beauty, is breathtaking. The architecture of Wilcannia is amazing and it was once the third largest inland port in Australia. In 2016, when I was on a motorcycle ride across Australia, the local Indigenous community hosted a BBQ for us, serving freshly killed kangaroo. This is a magnificent area of NSW suffering many hardships and prejudice. In my time I have seen the Darling River flowing and bone dry. Why has every government carried on about the lack of water in the Darling and Menindee lakes, the water entitlements (particularly cotton farms), and consistently failed to address the issue? I don't care what Barnaby Joyce does in his private life but at least address this issue for the people relying on this once-great inland waterway.

Ken Williams, Carlingford

Gittins says "democracy has degenerated into a battle between vested interests". Plus ça change. I learnt a definition of politics as "a competition between vested interests masking as principles".

Carolyn Little, Mortdale

Why is it that Gittins' always salient advice seems to be ignored by our so-called leaders? The time approaches when we should do away with our ineffectual and inept federal politicians and install Gittins as dictator - the sooner the better!

Warren Brown, Inverell

Doctors' exam debacle needs a remedy

I heard with dismay about the debacle of the recent Royal Australasian College of Physicians written examinations ("Bitter pill for trainee doctors", February 21). The college charges young doctors who are training to become specialist physicians or paediatricians thousands of dollars annually to be "trainees" but for this they receive nothing apart from an impression of a cartel enforcing a monopoly from a sandstone edifice of power.

For their "training" fees, the trainees get no formal teaching from the college. Furthermore they do not even get the college's peer-reviewed journal – which they are only deemed worthy of receiving once they pass the gruelling exams. In addition to training fees, the young doctors have to pay almost $2000 for the privilege of sitting exams, the new written component of which the college was incapable of implementing on Monday, causing significant inconvenience and distress to hundreds of candidates.

As a body supposedly committed to educating and supporting its young trainees, the college has failed on many levels. As someone who trained and survived (somewhat scarred) the onerous exam process over 25 years ago, it is very disappointing to see that things have not improved and trainees are still being subjected to a stressful system that is so fundamentally flawed.

Dr Debra Kennedy, Bellevue Hill

As a rural fellow, I pay the same fees as my city counterparts. I receive a monthly journal and a glossy magazine from the college. The latter covers courses that have often happened before the magazine reaches me, and education sessions hosted by the college which, being in the city, I can seldom attend.

I hope that the college administration is prepared for some very frank feedback about its performance at the upcoming congress in May. As a paediatrician, I am looking forward to the launch of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Health in March.

Jo Rainbow, Orange

The debacle of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians examination represents an even greater failure in that this regulatory body appears to have forgotten its public interest advocacy.

Dr Rupert Edwards, Kensington

Professor Ian Kerridge finds it "hard to imagine something more appalling than this act of incompetence", being the need to resit the medical exam due to IT errors. How about up to 18,000 people dying a year due to medical accidents in Australia?

Richard Abram, Marrickville

Your article made me recall a recent conversation with my GP. He told me of the continual and unreasonable pressures young doctors live with and the resultant suicides. Even after having survived the interminable examinations throughout their studies and back-breaking internships, they face regular study and exams on top of their daily duties to patients in their practices. However, the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads is that three failures in these post-qualification examinations will lead to them being disbarred or suffer professional restrictions. Combine that pressure with the way these draconian rules affect their family responsibilities and their daily work life, and it's no wonder so many crack. My GP believes that keeping up with the rapid advances in medicine these days is certainly critical, but he questions the fact that recognition isn't given to the time pressures involved and the harshness of the system's penalties. He grieves for those young doctors who see suicide as the only answer to failure, and for the terrible impacts on their families. We are losing some of our brightest and most altruistic people because of excessive expectations and it has to stop. That is firstly up to the doctors' professional bodies and then our politicians, but something has to happen - urgently. Our front-line doctors have to be treated with more respect, not bullied into submission. It's another medical crisis.

Bert Candy, Glenvale (Qld)

Carr prompts donation debate

Bob Carr touched on, but then conveniently ignored, an issue which has implications beyond our relations with China when he pointed out that a prominent Chinese business figure and property developer who contributed to Tony Burke's campaign has been an Australian citizen for 20 years ("Whitlam had it easier on China policy", February 21). There is no doubt that we in Australia have a problem with undue influence of political donations on government policy. As well, Australian governments have never required those seeking Australian citizenship to renounce any other citizenships they may have, or be entitled to, in order to become Australian citizens. The result is that political donations can come from people who may indeed be Australians but may also be citizens of another country, retain many political and/or business connections and interests within that country, and may desire to influence Australian government policy in accordance with those interests. It's another reason why we should move to public funding of all state and federal elections (perhaps on the Canadian model) as soon as possible.

Norman Carter, Roseville Chase

Paul Keating claims China has the best government in the world (Letters, February 21). Ask the Tibetans! The horror is still going on, with lengthy imprisonment for just saying "Free Tibet". There is still torture, destruction of the Tibetan culture, their monasteries, their people. There are some brave and caring Chinese - in China and here in Australia - trying to stand up for freedom, at the risk of their lives and families.

Joan Wilson, Newport

Joyce's choice clear

The reason Barnaby Joyce has to go, and the reason he can't come back, is he has made himself look ridiculous ("Joyce affair toxic for Coalition", February 21). However trivial his offence in the great scheme of things, no government can afford a frontbencher who is a laughing stock. The best way out for the Nationals? Appoint a woman.

Alex Jones, Kirribilli

Joyce would do well to consider something written by another Joyce just over 100 years ago. I am referring to James Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and in particular to the scene where a furious argument breaks out at a Christmas dinner over the political fate of Charles Stewart Parnell, a man who all Irishmen, Catholic and Protestant alike, believed would bring about Home Rule for Ireland. His affair with Kitty O'Shea bitterly divided Irish public opinion and brought about his undoing and the collapse of the cause of Home Rule for Ireland.

All the indications are that the Nationals are as bitterly divided as the family was over the Christmas dinner table. If Joyce persists and takes with him all those who believe that despite the damage to his personal reputation, he is the best thing they have to promote the interests of the bush, all that he can achieve is the same sort of bitter division that destroyed the movement for Home Rule and led to the creation of the Ulster Separatists. If history were to repeat itself, the Coalition could fall apart and the Turnbull government would collapse. The outcome of Barnaby Joyce's consideration of his position must inevitably be that he will resign.

Peter Tesoriero, Cremorne Point

I had a bad mussel in 1972 and was throwing up within five minutes. I never ate mussels again.

Kate Broadfoot, Bulli

Both my parents were born in 1899. My father became a doctor and my mother a nurse. Both worked at Newcastle Hospital. The very strict rule was no fraternising or socialising between nurses and doctors. It turned out to be a very good way to get them together. My parents married and had three lovely children, of which I am one.

Helen Knott, Riverview

Cannabis questions

Professor Iain McGregor argues we can trust GPs to prescribe medical cannabis ("Cannabis could be just what the doctor ordered", February 21). He suggests it is helping to overcome the opioid crisis in the US. There are some that consider the over-prescribing of pain control medication by doctors in the US as the cause of the opioid epidemic. Please forgive those of us who are reticent to follow in the footsteps of the most drug-addled country in the world. Cannabis use has been shown to contribute to lung cancer in smokers, and apathy, depression and serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia in some users. An advocate must acknowledge the pros and cons of cannabis use for their advice to be taken seriously.

Paul Davies, Crows Nest

Thank you for Professor McGregor's revelation of the clearly amazing benefits of medicinal cannabis over risky pharmaceuticals, of which most doctors are unaware. Please continue to shine a light on Big Pharma's stranglehold over public information and doctor education.

Hayo van der Woude, Mullumbimby

Union division

The revelation that BHP and Thiess wanted to confront a militant section of the mining union so as to sow discord and drive down wages, is another illustration that corporations will do whatever it takes to keep wages low ("BHP, Thiess sought union clash to drive down wages", February 21). The notion that tax cuts will change this scenario is mythology.

Alan Morris, Eastlakes

Veterans grounded

I know I will need a flak jacket after saying this but I do not support the use of taxpayers' money taking 90-plus year-old veterans back to old battlefields (Letters, February 21). Especially as younger veterans, who wish to return to their place of service, have to pay for it themselves. The Department of Veterans Affairs, the RSL or any other veteran organisation should put all resources to the real welfare of veterans, young and old, rather than spending it on sentimental journeys for a few veterans who have been lucky enough to live to a great age. Returning old warriors to battlefields is a very superficial and overly expensive way of honouring our veterans.

Ron Inglis, Strathfield

Too much on the menu

All these restaurants going down like flies ("Naked Chef's empire laid bare", February 21). Has it occurred to the experts there are just far too many of these eateries?

Dimitris Langadinos, Concord West

Taking the high road

A very timely piece by Erin Stewart ("Traveller or tourist: neither gets the real deal", February 20). Tourism is in danger of destroying its own product. I visited Venice last March, thinking I would miss the worst of the crowds, but sadly it was packed. Huge cruise ships offload thousands of passengers who swamp this beautiful city. Tour groups crowd into the major attractions such as the Basilica of San Marco. I wonder how many get to see the beautiful mosaic floor.I was staying with my daughter in an apartment in the part of Venice that houses the University, the prison and a lot of residences. We shopped for our food at supermarkets and the Rialto market and cooked at home. We also enjoyed visits to the local cafes and bars. We didn't queue once. I really got the feeling of what it would be like to live there (without tourists). To get around we walked and caught vaparettos, the local ferries. We also visited a favourite restaurant on Murano, again away from the crowds gawping at the shop windows filled with tacky glass figurines. I won't say what the name of the restaurant is or where you might find it. I will do the right thing and stay away from now on.

Gill Graham, Bowral

You can take away every cat and balloon and all the glitter, but please leave me the delight of travel or there will be nothing left.

Amanda Berry, Scone

Claim to sports fame

I can upstage Ron Field's glory days of playing cricket with Norm O'Neill when they were schoolboys (Letters, February 21). In my glory days, I opened the batting with Arthur Morris - and kept wickets to his bowling. He was a left-arm leggie and he could turn a ball further than Shane Warne.

Ron Elphick, Buff Point

A talented mob, those Bexley O'Neills. I played rep tennis with Norm's baby sister, Lorraine, and Norm played the devoted brother.

Rosemary O'Brien, Georges Hall