Fire risk: Power poles and overhead wires.

Fire risk: Power poles and overhead wires. Photo: Wayne Taylor

The bushfire threat to 1 million homes comes from the rickety, failure-prone power poles and overhead wires (''1 million homes at risk'', January 19). Yes, there is a cost to bury them, but does that cost less or more than the damage caused when they fail?

Insurance companies and governments should force power companies to bury power cables in the most vulnerable streets - those closest to the bush. Also, make the cable companies share the cost of power, telephone, cable and fibre optic all in the one underground system.

Geoffrey Stewart Springwood


All washed up

It is hardly plausible to claim that the navy of an advanced country such as Australia can blunder around the ocean not knowing where it is (''Echoes of the past as we turn boats back'', January 19). If it is true, it shows a risible technical incompetence. If it is not true, it shows reckless political incompetence, with the navy used as the fall guys. Neither scenario reflects well on us, even if the operation were honourable instead of the inhumane shambles that it is.

Penny Rosier North Epping


Booze long shot

An argument to counter the incidences of alcohol-fuelled violence is to increase the price of alcohol (''The people want their city back'', January 19).

One reason for the abuse is because alcohol is expensive. Alcohol is not tobacco and what worked for tobacco may not apply to alcohol. I have seen young people doing shots to get high quickly, but they also do shots before going out so they don't have to spend as much on drinks at their preferred venue.

They start the night with an unknown quantity of alcohol in their system and they look and sound fine. Then, when out, they quickly add to it. I don't advocate reducing the price, but raising it may not have the desired effect.

Alfred Del-Pin Macgregor (ACT)


Cold cuts

Australia's commitment to the millennium goals, to help the world's poorest people, is rapidly becoming a distant memory (''Bishop axes $650 million in foreign aid'', January 19). The government's latest decision to axe a further $650 million from global initiatives to combat poverty, at a time when programs are already under way, indicates this government's priorities. In seeking to reduce expenditure, it seems to have little compunction in slashing foreign aid and putting at risk the lives of the poorest and most desperate people in our world.

Michael Healy East Maitland


Play continues

I can empathise with Roger Federer when he says, ''I'm just happy to be waking up in the morning and not feeling like an old man'', but he beats me on all counts as, sadly, I'm not him - I'm an old man (''Third-round victory proves there is fight in the old Federer yet'', January 19). Game, set and match, Roger.

Brian Millett Yass


No fashion slaves

Isn't it about time companies guaranteed consumers that no slaves are involved in the supply chain of their products (''The grief and grind behind the glitter'', January 19)? As a female who buys and wears make-up, I want to be assured that nothing I wear is at the expense of a child caught in slavery. That cost is too high. I would rather pay a little more for products and be able to use them with a clear conscience.

Well done, Ben Doherty and Sarah Whyte, for bringing this to our attention. I hope the companies involved take note and work to eliminate slave labour and ensure safe working conditions and proper wages..

Jenny Dundas Blackbutt