Powerhouse demise

Further to Gillian Appleton’s letter about the Art Gallery of NSW (Letters, October 6), it’s sad to note that the same fate awaits the Ultimo Powerhouse. The former government started the plans for the destruction of this award-winning science and technology complex, but they have been taken up with gusto by the Labor government, which plans to demolish the award-winning Wran building and the adjacent large hall housing the Bolton and Watt steam engine. Seventy-five per cent of the existing exhibition floor space will also be removed, creating three cavernous spaces displaying a few “big things” to act as backdrop for functions. Shame. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont

Blueberry blues

The carefully worded statement about blueberries from the NSW EPA and the NSW Food Standards immediately brings to mind the old saying that “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence” (“Growing pains as berry industry under scrutiny”, October 5). Based on my professional experience with residue monitoring, I find it concerning that government agencies are not doing independent sampling and testing. If these agencies expect the public to have confidence in their statements, they should make all the testing methods and results publicly available. This should include details of how many samples were tested and how they were obtained. It should also include details of the laboratory used for testing and full details of the analytical methods. Glib statements without full supporting evidence do not provide much reassurance. Jim Derrick, Florey (ACT)

In these testing times, berries, especially for me, blueberries, were cheering, tasty and presumably, very healthy. Now, I am confused after reading conflicting reports concerning their safety. And your editorial ensures I am now worried about koalas and plastics, apart from “dousing products in toxic chemicals” (“Berry-lovers need protection from pesticides”, October 6). I used to eat heaps – in a day. Please, government regulators, do some definitive research and advise the public where we stand. Jennifer Fergus, Croydon

Presidential overreach

Given the propensity for presidents to become dictators, or in US President Donald Trump’s case, a “wannabe” dictator, remaining a constitutional monarchy at this point is a pretty safe and sensible option for Australia (“Crown now a symbol of our inertia”, October 6). The arguments for becoming a republic always seem to fail to fully explain an Australian president’s role and the powers they would have. Let’s see if we can agree to just change the flag first, before we start thinking about becoming a republic. Warwick Spencer, West Pymble

It’s getting harder by the day to find the right word to describe the American system of government. It’s not a monarchy, and yet it has a president who governs like a king. It’s not anarchy, though there are days and months of chaos, unlawful decisions and declining social order. Plutocracy, government by the wealthy, is a good fit, as is authoritarianism. Sadly, the least appropriate term is democracy. John Bailey, Canterbury

A grand day

Congratulations to Channel 9 for enabling the NRL to provide two grand final attractions, which the AFL seemed unwilling or unable to do: broadcasting the grand final on free-to-air TV, and having the women’s grand final on the same day (and telecast). To those who missed the NRLW game, please view it on catch-up TV – it was every bit the nail-biter that the men’s final was. Lewis Winders, Sheffield (Tas)

The bitter end

Kate Halfpenny has reminded readers of the power of an obituarised life (“Want a guaranteed great funeral? Write your own eulogy”, October 4). It’s a question of balance. If the dearly departed’s family complains about my attempt at avoiding beatitude in my subject, I have been successful in not finding any to exhort. The best death notice I have read was the release of a wise oath. “A misguided labourer who tired solidly in God’s vineyard.” Whom among us has not drunk deeply from the well? Mike Fogarty, Weston (ACT)

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