The Neocon Party of Australia

John Kotsopoulos writes: Re. “The end of the Right? Really?” (yesterday). Martin Gordon can protest all he wants, but until the Liberal Party starts living up to its name it will wither in the face of declining numbers among the less educated older brigade.

It is a party that is liberal in name only. Control is  in the hands of right-wing individuals who proudly to declare themselves conservatives but demonstrate none of the attributes of the conservative tradition.

A proper liberal party can be a force for good policy outcomes both in government and opposition.  The current neocon version is of no use to anybody.

Slow down, you move too fast

Doug Marmion writes: Re.”Sluggish and antiquated NBN coming soon to a node near you” (yesterday). I think you’ve made a small but vital mistake in the article. In the sixth paragraph (beginning “Last night, however …”) you say that NBN Co has found that HFC overseas is delivering speeds of 500/50 MBps. Surely this is incorrect and much to fast? I’m pretty sure the correct numbers are: 500/50 Mbps (ie megabits, *not* megabytes). This is a common mistake and one that (in my opinion) internet companies know can mislead customers, who think they will get download speeds of many MBps (megabytes per second), whereas the speeds will be 1/8, because the numbers are actually Mbps (megabits per second).

Newman’s days are numbered

Ian Lowe writes: Re. “Rundle: Napthine’s loss the beginning of the end for the Right” (Tuesday). Guy Rundle writes that “The Newman government in Queensland would be in the same boat, were it not for the vast majority it gained on election”. This week’s opinion poll suggests that it is in the very same boat. It might have been thought impossible to lose office from the bloated majority gained at the previous election, but if anyone can do it, the self-styled “Can-do Newman” is the one. The arrogance and blatant disregard for good governance, social cohesion and environmental responsibility are a throw-back to the Bjelke-Petersen days. Queenslanders rejected that approach 25 years ago, and look likely to confirm that rejection next March.