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Letters: Your Say Channel vision Editor, Re: ABC 24-hour news: Not what the doctor ordered (PS News Talking Point, 1 February 2010) If it’s a balance to Sky’s pro-Government line, it could be good, but the ABC’s own reputation for pro-Government news and attacks on the Opposition makes it likely that the two channels will complement each other. Mr Scott has said it will be at no additional cost to the budget. He hasn’t said what programs he would cut in order to include a 24 hour news service. But then the journalists on Sky only ask those questions of Opposition members. Neville C Queensland  Editor, Excellent article (I love the PS News!) (Barbie: Political icon or feminists’ nightmare? Talking Point 26 January) BUT... Barbie is a doll. She has less influence than some ascribe to her. Leave her alone (to be furiously acquired by adult collectors like myself). Lynette F Justice Queensland Editor, I was on a training course recently ('Feedback Skills' by CMA) where we learnt a different method to the feedback sandwich (See Make a Feedback Sandwich, PS News 25 January 2010). While the sandwich approach includes the positive, there's the danger of it coming across as a bit contrived/ingenuous and it usually doesn't offer an agreed way forward. The method we were taught was: 1. State the purpose of the feedback clearly. 2. Identify what's working well and what needs to be done differently. 3. Share data and reasoning. 4. Develop and confirm a clear agreed plan of action. Kate Agriculture Victoria Editor, I hear what this article is saying (Car culture: Making casualties of cyclists, Talking Point 18 January 2010) and fully understand as I ride four days a week in peak traffic to Brisbane City for work. Whilst vehicle drivers can be obnoxious to bikes some of the time, unfortunately the actions of quite a few bike riders actually contribute to the car drivers’ attitude. The number of fellow bikers who blatantly go through red lights staggers me. I’m prone to ‘gently’ remind them of the road rules as they pedal away however this has met more than once with the offender wishing to take the discussion further. Red light running is not just the domain of the commuter or occasional rider. I have also witnessed experienced riders rolling through red lights. Would they do this if they were driving a car? If we bike riders wish to be treated as vehicles on the road then we must act like a vehicle and obey all traffic rules. Many a work colleague has pulled out the ‘bikes always run red lights’ argument in defence of their negative attitude towards bike riders. I can also add two to the accident statistics - caused by a vehicle turning in front of me and another rider. No major personal injury but one bike written off and a costly repair for the other...and we had the green light! Paul W Brisbane Editor, Good to see articles concerning the safety of cyclists on the open roads. (Car culture: Making casualties of cyclists, Talking Point 18 January 2010) Imagine how many cars are on the roads every day. The way I do my sums is based on the fact that every day more people hit the roads to drive a car because they’ve got licences to do so. No problem with that. I’ve been a cyclist myself, but I did stop road biking and changed to mountain bike because of the bad behaviour of some motorists. Also, I have to say both groups need educating. Cyclists need to understand that when they are riding in big groups there is no need to block the road (as many times I see 2-3 bikes in parallel) when it is safer and shows more respect, to ride one bike behind the other to avoid frustration to other users of the road. Julio V Primary Industries Victoria Editor, Australia is a mature nation and robust debate on our heritage, symbols and tradition is healthy. That is why I think 26th January should be renamed Arrival Day to mark European settlement and 1st January should instead become Australian Federation Day. Reconciliation Day would honour our country’s Indigenous people and heritage, possibly commemorated on 13th February, the date on which Prime Minister Rudd gave a formal apology to the Stolen Generations. A new national day of unity and celebration for all Australians would then emerge on Republic Day, on a future date to be decided. Replacing the Queen’s Birthday holiday it marks our final transition from British colony to an inclusive, confident, proud and independent nation. To proclaim this evolution we must change our flag and I believe the answer is simple. By removing the Union Jack and enlarging the Federation Star we maintain a strong national symbol and preserve the heritage under which Australian men and women have died in defence of their country. Our country. Andrew H Sydney 
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