Waleed Aly, I agree "we're mad as hell and we don't want to take it any more" ("Asylum-seeker policy is a work of fiction",   February 5). Successive Australian governments have built on this work of fiction until our highest legal recourse cannot protect innocent children. Our elected representatives have shown unimaginative conformity to the principle of self-protection.
When a nation reaches rock-bottom, as Australia has, there is nowhere left to hide and the light finds a way in. The people of this land must speak - to each other, to politicians, to the media, and change this untenable situation.
Pam Connor Mollymook Beach 
Waleed Aly as usual writes a very insightful article on the current situation regarding the Australian government's approach to processing of unauthorised boat arrivals. It is hard not to sympathise or to disagree with anything in the article, however, what solution does Aly have that will guarantee that no more boats arrive?
Australia has rule of law, and only within that framework the government can act. Asylum in Australia is such a rich prize for the desperate that they will risk everything to attain it. Only tough and seemingly cruel laws can deter this desperation. Any softening or compromise will once again without doubt open the floodgates; the government has its hands tied.
The message, to be effective, to these desperate people can only be that if you arrive illegally by boat you will never under any circumstances be granted asylum in Australia. This has worked so far but at a cost the country must accept or reject. If we reject the government's tough approach, as many have shown by marching in protest, the inevitable outcome must also be accepted; it is the voters' choice.
Greg Turek Killara
Once again Waleed Aly cuts through to speak the truth to the law, to the government and to the Australian people who are willing to listen. Is this the nation we have become, and want to be, with legal fictions, absent morality and compassion in relation to those seeking refuge and indeed recognised as refugees and confined at our cost but without responsibility?
As Stan Grant put it so eloquently in relation to our troubled area of racism and Aboriginal disadvantage in a land that was and is theirs, we are better that that - or should be.
Judy Cashmore Glebe
Leaders deaf to the cries
of the abused childrenPeter Dutton, the truth about child abuse and rape on Nauru is lapping at your door ("Doctors reveal young children 'expressed intent to self-harm"',   February 5).
Roderick Dewar Murrumbateman
Throughout my life, whenever required to do anything that I consider to be immoral or unfair, I have declined to do it. Whether at school, in the workforce or in my private life, I have simply said no.
There have, of course, been consequences but I know that I am the better human being for so doing.
Peter Dutton, I simply do not understand how you can dodge and weave through the legal hocus pocus to subject other human beings to this cruelty. If there is anything in you at all, then you should walk away from the job now. And back-date it.
Richard Pocock Elizabeth Bay
Malcolm Turnbull says every single one of us is anguished by the prospect, by the reality of children in detention. Never was heard more abject hypocrisy.
John Walsh Watsonia
Perhaps we could start with an amnesty to both onshore and offshore refugees, and then take a long, hard look at our attitude, as a wealthy nation, to the growing global humanitarian crisis.
Lucy Corden Balmain
Any law that enables our High Court to justify the maintaining of children in an abusive environment while circumventing transparency is a law that we must change.
Anne Garvan Chatswood West
That's it. The honeymoon should be well and truly over for Malcolm Turnbull. Nothing but a sad old hypocrite, losing his credibility as he continues on the well worn path of failed leaders. Forgot his principles, his moral compass and his intelligence.
He is looking weak when he could have been so strong.
Wendy Atkins Cooks Hill
Practical Christianity is
behind sanctuary offer
Please, please, all churches and religious institutions, follow the example of the Uniting Church and offer sanctuary to refugees and asylum seekers from Manus Island and Nauru ("Officials could face charges for gesture of hope",   February 5). Reverend Nicole Fleming is a godsend and shows the true spirit of compassion, unlike those morally bankrupt judges and politicians in Canberra.
Llieda Wild Eastwood
Whatever the legality of churches offering "sanctuary" to refugees, it must be said that the brave souls who have taken this action are providing an example of practical Christianity. Surely the relevant test in this situation would be to ask the question: "What would Jesus have done?" I've no doubt that he would have been on the side of the oppressed and disadvantaged. He was never afraid to stand up to officialdom when he thought that this was required by the principles of justice and compassion.
While many so-called Christians are fond of mouthing their commitment to "faith", these few who have offered sanctuary represent Christianity in action.
Derrick Mason Boorowa
While we wait for the churches to provide a full and open apology for their criminal actions of the past century or two, undertaking another illegal action in the form of "sanctuary" to refugees could mark the beginning of their road to redemption, and at the same time exemplify the moral goodness that can come from collective action in the name of faith hope and charity.
Jo-Ann Brown Eastwood
A matter of hygiene
Going by the ever apparent increase in the lack of hygienic behaviour that can be witnessed in public toilets at shopping centres, social clubs and the like, is it any wonder that gastroenteritis runs rampant on cruise ships ("Gastro outbreak puts cruise passengers on 'voyage of the damned"',   February 5). This is a problem that will only get worse until certain people start addressing their hygiene habits and stop putting everyone's health at risk.
Stewart Smith North Kellyville
How about reorganising
our spending priorities?
Suggestions in your editorial "How to raise the GST and avoid the pitfalls" (  February 5) include "compensate low income earners" and "lower personal income tax". Given that low income earners pay very little or even no income tax for very good reasons, how is it proposed to compensate them?
No matter how it is dressed up, the GST is a regressive tax and increasing it by 50 per cent would make it even more regressive.
Keith Parsons Newcastle
Raising the goods and services tax now seems to be the expected mantra of any reasonable person who wants good healthcare and education. What about a reasonable discussion on the priorities of the hundreds of billions of dollars already raised?
If government income is so tight, why not a discussion on the spending on war toys such as submarines and jet fighters that are mainly for displays on New Year's Eve and Anzac Day? That's the healthcare budget fixed. I know what I would choose.
Peter Maher Newtown.
Innocent fun? No, it's just some more Sydney sleaze
The way Matt Barrie describes "fun" makes it sound so innocent, doesn't it ("Night laws 'have made Sydney a joke"',   February 5)? Like a spot of dancing round the maypole, perhaps?
I wonder how long it is since Barrie wandered through Kings Cross late at night, sober? The strip-club touts; young guys in ugly mood, scuffling, looking for aggro; young girls sitting in the gutter, shoe-less; vomit and pissing in doorways? Ah, grand days indeed.
John Christie Oatley
Any particular reason why the Star casino remains exempt from the lock-out laws, Mike Baird?
Peter Mahoney Oatley
Banking needs watchdog
The government calls for a watchdog to stamp out corruption in the building industry but sees no need for similar to oversee banking and business sector fraud ("CBA staff implicated in alleged fraud",   February 5).
One is a bodgie chook raffle compared with the other and the government is at fault when choosing to pursue one while ignoring the other.
Colin Tyson Wilton
Ban coach exports
I think it's high time the government imposed an export ban on Australian Rugby (League and Union) coaches defecting to the "old enemy" ("Tomkins hails Bennett appointment",   February 5). How unpatriotic. No doubt money wins out.
Denis Suttling Newport Beach