Australia Post taking the wrong approach Figures earlier this year revealed that, at $4.8 million per annum, the salary of Australia Post wonder boy Ahmed Fahour (pictured) for managing his 36,000 employees was some 10times that of the prime minister. On an occupational comparison it is eight times that of the US Post chief executive, who has responsibility for 680,000 employees, and four times greater than the earnings of France's postal director, with 268,000 staff. 
His response to falling basic mail usage - promoting a 40per cent increase in stamp charges and delaying delivery times - echoes that of public transport mandarins who aspire to encourage greater patronage by raising fares and reducing timetable frequencies.
It is claimed that the forecast resultant income will allow Australia's thousands of postal outlets to remain open, but one must ask why should they?
If people are deserting the traditional mailing system, is it necessary to retain so many shopfronts which seem to compete more with mini-markets in offering for sale non-postal baubles, stationery and minor electronic items than stamps or mail services?
It is apparent that the government, by its rollover attitude, does not expect Australia Post to abide by commercially accepted fiduciary practices.
John Murray, Fadden Labelling has a cost I don't care who certifies my food ("Push for clear labelling of halal food when sold in Australia",   December 2, p5). It can be Muslim organisations, Jewish organisations, the Scientologists, or even Kylie Minogue, for all I care.
What I do object to is having no choice but to pay for the privilege!
The certifying religious organisation(s) we are paying, when we buy products, should be made clear; and consumers should be able to buy specific products which have not been the subject of any paid religious certification process.
Gordon Fyfe, Kambah