Letter of the Week

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ON the subject of quotas for women in parliament, a recent research paper looked at variability within the sexes and found males vary more widely in type than do females. In other words, more geniuses and more idiots, more millionaires and more homeless etc among men.

This was already well-known to biologists and is found across a wide range of species.

Females are built to tighter specifications because of the exacting requirements of reproduction.

Males, being more expendable, vary more widely to facilitate the exploration of new evolutionary opportunities.

When quotas exist to select individuals statistically closer to a median value it will be at the expense of individuals more likely to be exceptional.

Yes, there are idiots of both sexes in our parliaments but to get more geniuses in parliament we should abandon quotas and pre-selectors and instead thoroughly test political aspirants for intellectual capacity and emotional maturity prior to accepting their nominations. PETER CAMPION

ONE has to laugh at some politicians, especially the Greens, who even though they can’t get the simple things right, still promise to stop the climate from changing.

Then I suppose those that believe them are just as entertaining. ROD WATSON SURFERS PARADISE

LEADING marine conservation officer Andrew Fox is correct.

It is totally irresponsible of people to swim in shark infested waters anywhere irrespective of the infrequency of attacks.

As he said, no one would walk or allow a child to walk in a game park where Lions roamed wild.

It is absolutely senseless stupidity to enter the habitat of sharks.

They are magnificent creatures who should be allowed to move freely in their own environment.

The pressure put on authorities and others is not necessary.

To me, those who dare to risk their lives in this way don’t deserve any sympathy whatsoever.

> Let commonsense prevail not carefree abandon! KEN JOHNSTON ROCHEDALE SOUTH

I THINK I smell a rat over the issue of a survey conducted over of the extension of the trams to Burleigh (GCB 21 Sept).

The result as shown in the Bulletin is hardly conclusive with 540 participants and 25,000 newsletters delivered and 500 surveyed by telephone and the population of the Coast some 500,000.

Where was this survey conducted? I suspect most of the survey would be from along and near the route of the proposed extension to Burleigh. If this is so, then of course it would be popular but it then also makes the survey invalid as I am sure that the residents living in such areas as Nerang, Carrara, Mudgeeraba, Robina and other western suburbs or even as far out as Hope Island and Coomera will gain no benefit from this space taking tram system.

It will service only those who live along the tram route.

Once installed, the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Burleigh will be reduced to either one lane of traffic each way with parking, or two lanes of traffic with no parking together with several more sets of traffic lights.

If after the extension gets to Burleigh then the decision is taken to go even further South through Palm Beach, I cannot even imagine what the traffic snarls will be like then. Buses are the better option as at least if a bus breaks down, another bus can take over.

If a tram comes to grief, that zone of the track shuts down. With buses, the routing can be varied according to needs. Trams also still need electricity generated to keep them running. PETER JOHNSON, ROBINA.

I POSTED a birthday card on September 13 on the Gold Coast and it was received in Dee Why, Sydney on September 20 – seven days.

Australia Post should advertise now their “latest posting dates” for Christmas cards throughout Australia so mail will arrive before Christmas. PAK WILLIAMS, NERANG

RED light means go! Who was the lunatic that designed the intersection of Ashmore Road with Bundall Road?

If you are turning right on a green light off Ashmore Road, you immediately hit a red light which you are supposed to go through!

Unbelievable! Many cars stop at the red light, naturally, and cars behind are blasting horns at them and pulling out trying to go round them in order to go through the red light!

If something isn’t done about it, there will be a massive accident there soon. JENNIFER HORSBURGH ELANORA

TO help the farmers, I have been consuming a punnet of strawberries a day after washing and slicing them up.

Recently l was listening to a debate in the lower house in Canberra on stiffer penalties.

One MP told us it would be “un-Australian” not to go and buy six punnets of strawberries.

Does he not know that strawberries can develop mould after a few days if not consumed quickly?

You don’t buy more of any kind of food than you need.

Gosh, there are some absolute morons in politics. DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH