Drug Free Australia’s Drug Advisory Council kicks an own goal in calling for “higher penalties for possession and use of cannabis” (letters, Canberra Times, 13 June 2017). Sure, we want to make cannabis less accessible to young Australians but you won’t do that by ramping up the very measures that have ensured the profitability and availability of that drug. The assertion that cannabis is a gateway to harder ones has long been discredited. The link is sociological, not pharmacological. Yes, many if not most users of amphetamines or heroin started with cannabis but to assert that cannabis caused the uptakeContinue reading

Kevin Donnelly’s criticism of the predominant view that Australia is not a Christian country is based on spurious arguments (‘Let’s not deny our Christian roots’, Australian, 15/6). Australia has Christian roots in the sense that it was colonised by a world power, Britain, which called itself Christian.  There was little of Christ’s teaching in British colonial actions around the world where it looted, pillaged and enslaved militarily weak nations to acquire wealth and power.  Contrary to Christ’s message of love and tolerance, avowedly Christian British subjects very nearly wiped out the original inhabitants of this island continent.  Are these the Christian roots that Donnelly is supporting?  Australia is a multiracial,Continue reading

So, three of the idealogical ‘stooges’ of the Turnbull government, ministers Hunt, Sukkar & Tudge, could face hard time in the slammer for contempt of court (“Ministers to be hauled before Supreme Court after criticising terror sentencing”, Canberra Times, 15 June). We can only hope that they won’t find themselves facing sentencing before Victoria has a chance to review & strengthen its probation laws & that they will serve their time in solitary confinement, so as to avoid their fellow inmates becoming ‘radicalised’. – John Richardson, CLA member, Wallagoot NSW

Someone should “politely” suggest to ASIO spooks that they move to Putin’s Russia or Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s Egypt where their requests for coercive powers would be readily granted (“Spies eye broader powers”, June 13, p1-2, Canberra Times). Placing the whole population in “protective” custody would be the ultimate security strategy. – Albert M. White, Queanbeyan, NSW