What constitutional rights??

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I sincerely hope that John Guyer (letters 26 Sep) was writing tongue in cheek. It is however worth pointing out again that Australia doesn't have any defined ongoing constitutional rights of individuals, except as electors. There are 16 occurrences of "right" (singular or plural, including "copyright", and section headings) in our constitution. No occurence of word "freedom" one of "obligation" (financial), and zippo on "moral".

Apart from the High Court which can only rule on cases brought to it (usually years after enactment), Australians have no constitutional protection from a govt with a slender numerical majority over-riding and undermine any or all historical conventions and "democratic" protections that they wish to dispense with.

Greer v Cousteau

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I know that the election season is over in Qld, but does Mr Beattie want to impose treble levies on future filming projects of M Cousteau now for having the temerity to criticise "Our Steve" on the day of his memorial service? (" Irwin interfered with nature, says Cousteau"). Or is there going to be an apology to Ms Greer.

other Anniversaries

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It's 9/11 and I have not had a single email regarding this 5th anniversary ( that may change once it becomes Sep 9 across the Dateline) but there are at least 10 articles in todays SMH relating to it. A search on the SMH site showed 1 article to mark the 5th anniversary of Tampa (last month). Perhaps the 5th anniversary of SIEV4 (children overboard), and especially SIEV-X (353 drowned humans) next month will be better remembered; or have we all moved on from that?

FOI? U must be joking

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While paraphrased in the article "Scrutinising our political masters just got harder" (SMH 07 Sep), Justices Callinan and Heydon used redundant logic; our senior public servants are already well versed in the art of the non-memo; the public lost faith in the integrity of the decision making process years ago, the Governments of Australia (the States are equally wily) encourage confusion and obfuscation; the Westminster system of government went out the window at the same time as the politicisation and appointment on contract of the senior executives of the public service.

These are the very reason why we need effective access to an FOI system that actually works.

PSA Testing

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It is hard enough to get middle aged males to go to the GP at the best of times; if one does happen to present, surely Tony Abbot is not going to be outraged at the burden to Medicare of $20.50 (according to the current Medicare Schedule) for an annual (non-age limited) PSA test? ("MP attacks Abbott on prostate comments" Online 01 September). This time his defense is (allegedly) the Prostate Cancer Foundation guidelines. Surely this "new" technology would be welcomed by him as it may replace the old fashioned digital-rectal-examination which is probably a theological abomination – especially if a second opinion is called for.