...AND ANOTHER THING

The state

GRAND prix minister Louise Asher abandons the opportunity for Victoria to host the international parks congress because "of the nature of the event . . . and the cost to taxpayers". What concern. No funding worries, however, for the very low-priority New Street rail works.

Peter McNamara, Canterbury

THE government cancels a conservation conference that could have brought in $30 million, but persists with an annual Grand Prix that loses us at least that much every year.

Tony Andrews, Cowes

TED can't go back to Jeff's "Victoria on the move" slogan, Henry Herzog (18/11), because under his stewardship the state seems to have come to a complete standstill.

Walter Valles, Clayton South

HERE'S a safety slogan for number plates: "Back off, you're too #%@$ close."

Kevin Luxford, Mount Waverley

YOU know you're reading The Age when it publishes letters criticising the paper and its readers (18/10), unlike the Herald Sun, which runs editorial rants on the front page when it's caught out.

Andrew McFarland, Doncaster East

Politics

WHAT a sight Tony Abbott using a hammer to build something rather than destroy it.

Peter Rutherford, Barwon Heads

MEN and women turn against Gillard. Is it because she doesn't fit their stereotype "married with children"? But nor was Joan of Arc. She was burnt at the stake, too.

Myra Fisher, Brighton East

Other matters

LIVE to 150? That means the retirement age will need to go up to 130.

Anthony Yapanis, Kew

HOPE our superannuation lasts long enough to buy presents for the great-great-great-grandchildren.

Alison Barr, Rowville

WHAT a shame our vernacular is being superseded by the US's. In The Age (18/10) we find our sheep have been rustled. Once they would have been duffed.

Frank Alizzi, Queenscliff

AN EXECUTIVE on $5 million earns in one year what would take the average wage-earner 100 years. Food for thought.

Joan Peverell, Malvern