Your correspondent is right (Letters, September 26), “endless discussions of the detail of a republic ... is just a ruse to extend the status quo”. And the tactic worked superbly for John Howard in 1999. A referendum to simply cut the link between the governor-general (and state governors) and the English monarch, with no other change, should be voted on first. Debating and agreeing on the details can then receive the unhurried focus it deserves. After all, most of us marry without a pre-nup agreement. Michael Britt, Macmasters Beach

I agree with your correspondent that Australians are innately conservative when it comes to constitutional issues; our history of unsuccessful referendums proves that beyond doubt. I would have voted yes in 1967, but have reservations about the current proposals, both the Voice and the republic. It was a simple choice in 1967, one of fairness and equality before the law, hence the strong vote in support. However, I don’t think that’s the case this time. The questions before voters in both proposals are whether they work for the betterment of the whole country, or are they purely emotional and symbolic? I am more concerned about economic improvements for all Australians, whatever their ethnic origin, and social stability. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

I have confidence that the majority of voters would support a fair recognition of our Indigenous citizens in a revised Constitution but finding the balance that will give First Nations people a significant say in national affairs is another matter. Finding a solution to gain the support of a majority of voters in a majority of states is far from a sure thing. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

As for who should be our head of state if Australia is to be a republic, it must be someone impartial without an agenda or barrow to push, together with a comprehensive understanding of our Constitution. No one comes to mind. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill

Tax cuts fly in face of needed reform

As each day passes, the cost of our debt is rising and, as pointed out by Shane Wright (“Jump in rates carves $120b hole in budget”, September 26), that cost is more than the cost of “childcare subsidies, support to carers and public schools combined”. All the while, PM Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers grit their teeth and insist that the stage three tax cuts will proceed, and the opposition indulges in some fantasy about “re-prioritising spending commitments”, conveniently forgetting its own profligacy and failures to observe accepted processes when it held the chequebook. The RBA governor clearly set down the options for the government to begin to manage our debt, and it is obvious that each deserves serious consideration. Structural reform will take time. Cutting services is constrained by years of neglect and inaction, meaning the reverse is what is required in many areas. So to have some immediate impact, the government must raise more revenue. The task ahead of the government is to compellingly argue the case for tax reform that will increase revenue and set us on a path to reduce debt and future budget deficits. Ross Butler, Rodd Point

All Australian taxpayers should be grateful that a Joint House and Senate audit will investigate the Coalition’s “waste, rorts” and “dodgy grants” that have left the federal budget a record $1 trillion in debt. For the non “economic girly-men” (and women) who might mix up their millions and billions, consider this comparison. One million seconds is 12 days; one billion seconds is 31 years; and one trillion seconds is 31,688 years. The magnitude of the economic hole the previous government has left is unprecedented, and the Coalition can never again claim to be “the better economic manager”. Alan Marel, North Curl Curl

Don’t pick on pickleball, Shane Wright (“Car parks and pickleball courts: $7b of Coalition grants in sights”, September 26). Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in Australia. It’s attracting all ages from older, retired to middle-aged and teen players. Schools are introducing it to their sports programs. Three or four pickleball courts can fit in the space of a tennis court. It’s easy to learn and it’s easy on your joints. I know what my budget priority is: a fairer distribution of resources. More pickleball courts to keep us fit and healthy. Beth Hansen, Alstonville

Out of esteem

Transport Minister David Elliott is right when he waxes lyrical about the majesty of Locomotive 3801 under steam (“A ticket to ride on one Aussie icon as it crosses another”, September 26). But good luck to Ajay Negi and his plans to study steam engineering. Elliott’s government is full steam ahead dismantling and scattering the Powerhouse, one of the world’s great industrial heritage museums. What of the museum’s 1785 Boulton and Watt engine and the landmark Steam Revolution exhibition, both run on live steam? Meanwhile, the museum’s signature transport exhibition of trains, planes, automobiles and much more is being disappeared for frock parades and parties. The Powerhouse is being erased, never to be experienced by kids like Ajay again. Debbie Rudder, Maroubra

Those old enough to remember the era of steam trains may feel differently to the enthusiasts of today. Sticking your head out the window meant risking a face covered with gritty soot. Men who worked as stokers had the back-breaking task of feeding the hungry beast. But the passage of time somehow turns negatives into nostalgia. Joan Brown, Orange

Fine flood-flouters

I’m a retired SES leader (Letters, September 26). We got very annoyed at idiots with big 4WDs, showing off their butchness by driving into deepening water and getting stranded, necessitating a retrieval by us, risking volunteers’ lives and over-worked vehicles. It was tempting to leave them to marinate for quite a while. Your correspondent suggests, sensibly, that axle height would be a good measuring stick for the upper limit of drivable floodwater depth. However, one initially drives into shallow water, which then deepens. Once you reach axle depth, you have to reverse out of the water, very likely to force water into your exhaust system and shut down your engine, unless you are in a manual transmission vehicle and you keep the revs very high while riding the clutch. A better solution was the suggestion of a large fine for entering floodwaters, similar to that for lighting a fire on a total fire ban day. Dave Williams, Port Macquarie

Mantel’s next chapter

It is interesting to compare and contrast Sean Kelly’s latest column (“A good word for the write stuff”, September 26) with the obituary for Hilary Mantel (“One of the world’s greatest writers”, September 26). Kelly sees death making “each of us a thing”. By contrast, Mantel believes in an afterlife despite being unable to imagine how it might work. I loved and admired the humility of her reasoning: “The universe is not limited by what I can imagine.” Mark Porter, New Lambton

Bring back G&S

I hope new Opera Australia chair Rod Sims will reintroduce Gilbert and Sullivan to the repertoire (“New chair looks beyond Sydney”, September 26). The long absence of this integral part of our musical culture has forced disappointed locals to look well beyond Sydney to other more enlightened states, who realise that G&S always makes money and often enables previously rusted-on subscribers to introduce children and grandchildren to opera for the firsttime. Bill Lloyd, Denistone

Memory aide

My system does not require consulting calendars (Letters, September 26). I got married the day after my birthday (never forgotten), and my son got married the day after his birthday. Richard Kirby, Campbelltown

Regarding remembering wedding anniversaries and birthdays, it would be much more convenient if they were standardised, like horses’ birthdays and Christmas. Tony Hunt, Gordon

Why, indeed?

I suggest your correspondent’s question (Letters, September 26) could have been simply: “Why are the New Zealand All Blacks allowed?” Warwick Farley, Roseville

Make it our own

In matters of state and many other matters (Letters, September 26), I have found that one Head is sufficient. Ivan Head, Burradoo

Surely, as a republican nation, we should embrace cobber, if a male head of state, or cobbette if female, and we should seek the advice of those of Indigenous heritage as to what an appropriate term would be when we have an Indigenous head of state. Merilyn McClung, Forestville

The digital view
Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
The doctors sleeping under desks because they’re too tired to drive
From geoggrey: 80 hour weeks are not unusual in many fields, including my own. I still do them many weeks. But I am not responsible for people’s life or death. The quality of training and learning these doctors are getting in the 60-80th hours of the week is dubious anyway. If they are barely functioning to apply the knowledge they have, they won’t have the capacity to learn more. And the senior doctors who could teach them aren’t doing the midnight shift, just other junior doctors.

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