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Missing from the otherwise inspirational speeches I heard at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games was any mention of the dedicated work of the occupational therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, psychologists and various doctors involved in the rehabilitation of the wounded servicemen and women. - Anthony Clark, Bowral

Putting the record straight on the true cost of NBN

The claims in Stephen Bartholomeusz’s report about the cost of the NBN (‘‘Telstra is preparing to buy NBN – but not before huge hit to taxpayers’’, October 18) are false and based on an analytically dishonest presentation of the facts.

The article claims that the costs of the Labor-designed NBN blew out from $40.9 billion to $72.6 billion. This claim is incorrect.

The $72.6 billion figure that Bartholomeusz refers to was not a forecast provided in any official NBN plan. The figure emerged from a review of the NBN commissioned by then communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to justify the changes he was proposing. The assumptions supporting this figure were politically motivated and unrealistic.

The most reliable estimate of the cost of the Labor-designed NBN comes from NBN’s corporate plan from September 2013, which put the total funding requirement at $45 billion. However, even this increase was not a cost blowout, but driven mostly by the deal with Optus to acquire its HFC customers – a commercial decision by NBN that raised its short-term funding requirements but increased its long-term returns.

As for the NBN model being ‘‘dreamed up’’ by then minister Conroy and myself, Bartholomeusz should know better than to render uncritically the spin line used by both Turnbull and News Corp – whose commercial self-interest in killing national FTTP broadband to protect their Foxtel entertainment monopoly was crystal clear. The NBN model of the previous government was presented to cabinet by a policy taskforce headed by then Treasury secretary Ken Henry after six months’ technical and financial analysis.

Finally, Bartholomeusz ignores the fact that the original plan for the NBN was to sell it once it was fully operating. This would then have recouped much of the original investment for the taxpayer. - Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister 2007-10; 2013

Why do publishers believe there is an appetite for the petulant observations of Kevin Rudd (‘‘Cry baby, stupid, weak: Rudd unloads on his former colleagues’’, October 22)? What public good can be served by knowing that a young Jim Chalmers cried five years ago?

How revealing that he uses his new book, The PM Years, to label Wayne Swan as gutless and stupid eight years after they last met. A PhD in political treachery for Jason Clare? Really? Time for us all to move on, Kevin. How about a celebrity cookbook? - Lorraine Hickey, Green Point

I’ve voted Labor all my life but for crying out loud, Kevin, could you just please put a cork in it. Turnbull has shown more class in the past two months than you have in eight years. - Mark Wallace, Colo Vale

Extreme right put in their place

If ‘‘having a more credible answer on how we meet our targets’’ is the only message the Liberals got from Saturday’s defeat, clearly they aren’t listening (‘‘A new political climate’’, October 22). How about policy that acknowledges and supports research into sustainable energy sources and allowing Australia to reclaim leadership in this vital area of research. And not leaving their beggar’s cup at the coal lobbyist’s door. - Elizabeth Darton, Lane Cove West

Trent Zimmerman is right to draw attention to negative public opinion about changes of leadership in both the major political parties (‘‘Mistake to dismiss result as one-off’’, October 22). Yet only in the final paragraphs does he mention other issues being voiced, such as climate change. His piece is the response of a politician to power struggles, talking of ‘'multiple bases'’ in the Liberal Party and failing to acknowledge the stranglehold the extreme right has held on government policy.
When will this government listen to the calls for action on refugees, energy and climate change and find some intestinal fortitude to take on the conservative right of the party? - Sue Ingham, Longueville

Zimmerman’s idea that the problems needing fixing in the Liberal Party are stability and a more sensible centre is merely a part of a wider problem. Acting on expert advice and governing for the people, not businesses who support them for starters.

Climate change, which Zimmerman adds in his second last paragraph as an ‘‘other core issue’’ challenge, is somewhat of an understatement as it was clearly a big issue for Wentworth voters alongside the instability. Most Australians want action on climate change, but not our our coal-wielding Prime Minister or our ignorant and very rude Environment Minister.

Australians would like to see another change in politics. Civility. The nastiness and constant electioneering of politicians, is evidenced by the ungracious speech Morrison gave on losing the byelection. A shouting rant at the opposition was all this man could muster. Dave Sharma’s speech by contrast, was friendly and gracious. He should be thankful he lost. - Ingrid Haydon, Long Jetty

Surely one of the most important lessons to be learnt from the Wentworth byelection is that our elected representatives need no longer be afraid of or influenced by the fringe views of the hard right in the media or within their own ranks. The voters of Wentworth have demonstrated mainstream Australia certainly isn’t. Caught up in their own delusions of self-importance, the only power these people have is the power we allow them to have. - Peter Outhwaite, Hawks Nest

Wentworth might think it is representative of the whole wardrobe of Australia but it isn’t. It’s just a tiny plush pocket. - Mary Julian, Glebe

Well done Wentworth. A poke in the eye for the Liberal Party. But no prizes for Labor, or the Greens. You were not the answer. A smart, thinking, progressive electorate has upheld the very best ethos of democracy and avoided the global trend to extremism in reaction to a government not delivering. In fact, in reaction to growing extremism in the mainstream parties, they’ve gone to the centre, to compassion, social responsibility, to a candidate representing old liberal values in the best sense. Thank you. Australia, please note. - Tim Parry, North Turramurra

It beggars belief that Morrison and his gang really expected Malcolm Turnbull to support his replacement. - Anne Ramsay, Kiama

ScoMo? More like Scott No as in Scott No majority, Scott No policy on climate change, Scott No plan to reduce the debt and deficit, Scott No moral compass for refugees or LGBTQ teachers and students and Scott No hope to win any election. - Carol Duddy, Gerringong

Hopefully the Wentworth result will sink into the Prime Ministerial skull and make him lose the nincompoop hat and schoolboy behaviour in favour of a statesmanlike demeanour. - 
Andre Krause, Thirroul

Judith Fleming (Letters, October 22) when the Prime Minister said the Liberal Party is for ‘‘people who get up early in the morning’’ I think he was referring to the host of a certain commercial radio breakfast program. - Stephen Driscoll, Castle Hill

The calls last week by Mr Morrison and senior Liberals to vote for Dave Sharma in the interests of stability fly in the face of recent history. It can be validly argued the Gillard government that relied on crossbenchers to maintain its agenda and incumbency meant a greater degree of consultation and a reliance on community views.

The best example, however, was the NSW Liberal minority government of 1991-95. This was the period in which the cross-benchers of the day drove significant reforms in government accountability and in particular the fixed four-year term. Short of corruption or gross maladministration, supply and confidence were guaranteed. Assuming Dr Phelps gets across the line as expected, the current crossbenchers have a real opportunity for some progress towards similar improvements in the federal sphere. - Bill Irvine, Goulburn

The Liberals are always banging on about their base, usually referring to the Abbott lovers. Well on Saturday they lost their real base, liberals who believe in liberalism not conservatives. - Greg Loder, Springwood

Young ‘‘politicians-in-training’’ might care to note the goodwill many of us have extended to the ‘‘non-politicians’’ vying for Wentworth; those who have who have had real jobs as preparation for public service.  Thank you, Dave, Kerryn and others so brave. - Trevor Kruger, Blue Bay

Who said the Liberals were incapable of putting a female into parliament? - Paul McLean, Hawks Nest

Good news for the Warringah voters (‘‘Vote triggers alarm bells for Abbott’’, October 22). Jane Caro is considering running as a candidate to replace ‘‘wrecker’’ Abbott. Jane, in spite of her advertising background, the candidate for no spin and for commonsense. - John Colussi, Wahroonga

Expect a little wait

Peter Mudd (Letters, October 22) has a point about the royals apologising for Britain’s invasion of Australia but apologies are often tardy. Britons have waited fruitlessly for 1975 years for an apology from Italy for the Roman invasion of their country ‘‘and subsequent state terrorism against [their] sovereign First Nation people’’. - Derek Parker, Mosman

They will settle the issue when they receive their reparations from the Normans and Vikings but won’t accept responsibility for anything after January 1, 1901. - Barrington Salter, Neutral Bay

I am in my late 60s and hope Australia will be a republic before I leave this mortal coil. With every visit by the young royals and every new addition to their clan, my hopes fade. It seems as though whenever there is a new addition, monarchists and others’ minds are influenced by their ‘‘baby brains’’, swooning over their royal cuties ignoring the fact that our own republican cuties can never become our head of state. While that mindset persists, we will not move to becoming a truly independent country with an Australian head of state. (We will still remain in the Commonwealth of Nations along with its 31 other republics.) - Mila Yates, Valentine