I quite honestly have never heard of Susan Carter MLC but I fear her push to change euthanasia laws in aged care homes could be just the first step to stop voluntary assisted dying altogether (“The push to change state euthanasia laws”, October 28). It would appear that Ms Carter has certain religious beliefs – which, of course, is fine – but if I don’t have those same beliefs, surely it doesn’t mean I have to follow them, too. Why should dying people, as Ms Carter states, be taken out of their nursing home and “transferred to some other location … for the last stage of their life”? It would surely be disruptive and perhaps painful. I am going through the VAD process myself and I can assure you it is not simple. It is, however, run by extremely professional and caring people. I trust these people over politicians. Janine Burdeu, Mona Vale

Seeing as many nursing homes and retirement villages are run by religious organisations, Susan Carter’s proposal to make residents leave their homes for their last days is preposterous, far-reaching and cruel. I’m not sure how giving “freedom and choice” to a business but depriving its residents of the same can be rationalised. Debbie Ditchfield, Darling Point

The amendment proposed by Susan Carter is really cruel. It would force terminally ill and frail people to be moved out of what has become their permanent home – their aged care facility – to another location to access voluntary assisted dying, just when their suffering is at its greatest. If Christians and others don’t approve of VAD, which is a lawful end-of-life option, it is their right to refuse it for themselves. However, they have no right to stand in the way of those who do want the mercy of an assisted death. Liz Jacka, Marrickville

A person’s home must be a place of safety and freedom for them. Many older Australians face the challenge of leaving the homes they have lived in for decades to move into residential aged care. Some of them may be facing terminal illness, and deserve the same rights as all other Australians to access voluntary assisted dying in their homes. Susan Carter’s bill would deprive these people of this fundamental right. It is effectively kicking an old person when they are down – and dying. Some people may have different views but mine is we must put the dying person first. We must not let the NSW Liberals deny people’s rights and freedoms. To quote their bible: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4). Rowan Huppert, Seaforth

I’ve cared for many dying people during my 45 years of medical practice. More recently I’ve witnessed both friends and patients be able to plan their moment of death where, when and with whom they choose. It can be an extremely positive experience for all, and aid the inevitable grieving process. To deny this choice to those in aged care homes must be seen as a denial of human rights. Contrary to what Liberal MLC Susan Carter says, leaders of aged care facilities would never allow another person in a shared room to be impacted. They would always facilitate a private space. This argument is cruel, and a slur on the management of aged care facilities. Katriona Herborn, Blackheath

To uproot a terminally ill patient and force them to move from the comfort and security of their home is cruel, and demonstrates a lack of respect for the freedom of choice that is the fundamental right of the patient. To my mind it’s also very un-Christian. Carmel Molloy, Balgowlah

Given the high number of faith-based providers in publicly funded residential aged care, it’s misleading for Carter to claim that all residents “chose to live in a faith-based facility and share those faith values”. Samantha Chung, Kensington

More action, less anxiety

Like Katya Zheluk I’ve grown up dealing with the impacts of climate change (“At 12 I saw Australia burn: Now I’ll fly over it with Ley”, October 28). Young people are suffering from climate anxiety as we experience intergenerational injustice caused by poor decisions on tackling the climate crisis. It’s 2025 and still Sussan Ley’s Coalition is arguing about whether to even bother addressing climate change (“Move on from the Howard era, Hastie tells Liberals”, October 28), while Labor can’t seem to move past its own addiction to the coal and gas that fuel the crisis (Letters, October 27). A YouGov poll last year found that 86 per cent of Australians supported stronger nature laws. The majority want climate action. Voters will reward politicians who show courage by standing up to the fossil fuel lobby, especially given that our futures are on the line. Sarah Brennan, Hawthorn (Vic)

No doubt Sussan Ley was well aware that tough challenges lay ahead when she became opposition leader. But she probably didn’t bargain on having a young, passionate and articulate climate campaigner on board her aircraft for a charity flight. Can she turn this happenstance into a golden opportunity? Among the many voices clamouring for her attention, Katya Zheluk’s is one to pay close attention to. Speaking not just for her teenage generation but for all who cherish nature, she presents a compelling case for strong environmental protection legislation. The reformed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act must make “climate a central consideration in all decisions”, enshrine “a credible, planned transition to renewables” and commit “to science-based emissions reductions”. Cockpits, like party rooms, can be very noisy places. Let’s hope Ley listens carefully to her dynamic passenger. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic)

Correspondent Tony Sullivan rightly questions why Sussan Ley put her name forward to head the divided opposition rather than gift it to Angus Taylor, who would have been odds-on to stuff it up, at which time she could have come to the rescue and won unanimous support (Letters, October 28). But the only way she can survive now is to take a more radical approach, follow the advice outlined by 18-year-old Katya Zheluk and ensure that people of her generation inherit a liveable planet, rather than a climate disaster caused by the ineptitude of our major political parties. Peter Nash, Fairlight

Well said, Katya Zheluk. I will certainly be signing your open letter asking the opposition leader to stand with the overwhelming majority of Australians who want stronger climate action. Enjoy your flight, and may I request that you write another opinion piece after your conversation with Ms Ley? David Boyd, Bondi Beach

Premier shanks it

Once again Premier Chris Minns is failing to read the room (“First look at the $50m plan to slice Moore Park golf course in half”, October 28). There is no justification for the plan to halve the historic Moore Park golf course, referred to once by the great Gary Player as “the most beautiful public course in the world”, when there is abundant recreational parkland nearby and in Centennial Parklands. This course is a jewel in the city of Sydney, and its egalitarian inclusivity should be cherished. We used to play the course in summer, after finishing the working day at nearby RPA Hospital, and enjoyed sharing rounds with visitors from all over the world who had come to Sydney and wanted to play this course. If there were no obvious alternatives then the premier might have an argument, but there are 360 hectares across the road. Dale Bailey, St Leonards

Trump’s inner child

Donald Trump is probably the most analysed of all American presidents, at least in recent times. Many have posited that his strange behaviour stems from his obvious narcissism, but maybe it is something else (“Trump, long erratic on the world stage, reaches a new level”, October 28). Perhaps Trump is entering the seventh (and final) age of man that Shakespeare compared to “second childishness”. Just like a baby, Trump claps himself. He surrounds himself with shiny things in the Oval Office. Like toddlers who are fascinated by their own images in a mirror or in a photograph, Trump ensures every one of his actions is captured by the cameras so that he can watch himself on television that night. Like a small school child, he delights in seeing his own name in print and being able to write his own name. In the first nine months of his second term, Trump has signed a record number of executive orders, memoranda and proclamations – many of them superfluous. After each signing, he ensures that the cameras do not miss his large, bold signature. That Trump was prepared this week to fly more than 15,000 kilometres for a photo opportunity in Kuala Lumpur reflects an obsession with his own identity. For the sake of the world, one hopes that a childish temper tantrum does not bring us all undone. Mike Reddy, Vincentia

Correspondent Brian Haisman praises Trump’s “crash-through approach” to getting things done (Letters, October 28). He certainly showed the world that in spades when he incited a violent armed mob to crash through the Capitol building, putting the lives of those inside at risk and causing the deaths of several others. It beggars belief that your correspondent finds that approach admirable. Nick Andrews, Bellevue Hill

Camp conundrums

Tuesday’s editorial highlights many of the problems facing prime NSW national parks (“National park glamping needs more oversight”, October 28). On the coast, overcrowding is definitely a problem, but inland, many parks are virtually empty. With minimal payments made online, patrons often book but fail to arrive, effectively robbing others of an opportunity to camp there. We have visited many parks that look almost fully booked online, only to find nobody there. If national parks in NSW were managed better and refunds guaranteed, more sites would be available and satisfaction would be far higher for all patrons. The privatisation of areas for glamping further alienates the camping fraternity as ensuites, cooking and entertainment areas are expected. Gone will be the quiet of camp-life, camaraderie and small fires. Changes definitely need to be made to booking systems – but not the type of camping available. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer

Slap on the wrist

Wow, the government has brought out the big lettuce leaf to hit the telcos. Increasing the fine for 000 outages from $10 million to $30 million will have Optus and Telstra quaking in their boots – not (“Telcos forced to make network outages public in real time after Optus scandal”, October 27). Both companies had profits of nearly $2.5 billion last year, so even the maximum fine would amount to small change to these companies. The Albanese government is again bending its knee to big business. Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic)

Closure is a blow

With the rapidly approaching closure of yet another post office, this time in Kirribilli, I wish to express my anger at the loss of yet another service. There was a marked lack of community consultation, making it difficult to object to the decision. Kirribilli whingeing, you may say, but we have a large population of special needs people in aged care and social housing who need daily services of banking, secure cash transactions, pension processing and bill paying within easy reach. Until now, our lovely local post office staff have provided these services. I make a plea for our post office relocation decisions to be reversed. As a democratic, humane country, we should always try to care for the vulnerable among us. Clare Sydenham, Kirribilli

Turbine envy

For two centuries, the value of Australian land was primarily determined by soil quality and rainfall. A third attribute has emerged – wind, which is often best on higher land with poorer soil. After decades watching neighbouring properties generate much higher returns because of their natural endowments, owners of land suitable for wind turbines can at last rectify their disadvantage (“Tilting at turbines”, October 26). Owners of traditionally “better” land never dreamed of compensating owners of “poorer” land, but some now insist on compensation if a wind farm is established on ridgeland nearby – for visible transmission lines, even though their own homestead power supply is not underground. Naked envy lies at the heart of many protests and should be called out as such. Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach

Free checks save lives

Dr Jill McDowell’s reminder about regular breast examinations and availability of mammograms to over-75s should be taken seriously, and I speak from experience (Letters, October 27). Shopping in Castle Hill recently, I had a “lightbulb” moment and went into the local breast clinic, believing that at 82 years of age, I was over the prescribed age for a mammogram. I was surprised to be offered a cancellation immediately. Soon after, instead of receiving a comforting letter telling me all was well, I was given an appointment to attend Westmead Hospital, where I had four hours of tests including a biopsy, which revealed that I had a tumour. I was immediately referred to a breast oncologist and underwent surgery. Fortunately, pathology results revealed that the tumour was benign. Ladies, we cannot be complacent about self-examination, as I certainly was, and should all take advantage of free mammograms, no matter what your age. Margot McGuirk, Castle Hill

Blind eye

Susan Connelly reminds us of the achievements of the new ASEAN member Timor-Leste after a difficult history (Letters, October 28). Australia’s initial lack of support for its attempts at independence from Indonesia 50 years ago is being repeated in West Papua. Its people are being crushed by Indonesian armed forces while the world ignores their suffering. When will our government learn from the mistakes with Timor-Leste and raise a voice of protest? Doug Hewitt, Hamilton

Wilde thing

As the Barnaby Joyce saga rolls on, I’m reminded of the Oscar Wilde aphorism: “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about” (“Joyce will take the summer to decide his future”, October 28). Gordon Lambert, Kiama Downs

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