Dual citizenship: So being true-blue is all that matters?

In 1999 the High Court deemed British citizenship as foreign citizenship. Our head of state is therefore a wholly foreign citizen, not of dual nationality. Our acts of Parliament are signed into law, by the representative of a foreign power. However our parliamentarians must be singularly Australian. Was Welsh-born prime minister Julia Gillard a dual citizen? Are the acts passed by parliaments with ineligible MPs or senators still valid? Monty Python resurrected?

Bruce Graham, Beaumaris

My heart lies with Italy and Australia

It is not all negative. The great thing about being a dual national is that you are not trapped by the jingoistic, xenophobic patriotism that many sole citizens exhibit. Italy and Australia have positives and negatives about their cultures, traditions and values and I can be, and am, critical of both. So I cannot be told to "go back to where you came from" because I come from both Italy and Australia.

Luigi Soccio, Daylesford

The senator's very inconvenient truth

So Malcolm Roberts (pictured), the great climate change denier, "considers" he was never a citizen of another country. Why should we be surprised? Yet another awkward truth just wished away. And I thought "de Nile" was just a river in Egypt.

Peter Samers, Brunswick East

Many benefits in 'choosing' what to believe

Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts is choosing not to believe he was ever British. As a New South Welshman, I am choosing not to believe that NSW has not lost yet another rugby league State of Origin series to Queensland. I am glad that one has been sorted out.

John Murphy, Aberfeldie

A question of MPs' true loyalty

The real concern with politicians' allegiances is not to other countries, but to get them to stick with their own public promises for longer than three weeks after winning an election. However, disregard for clear rules and sloppy paper work is the slippery slope to corruption.

Rob Ward, Lake Tyers Beach

THE FORUM

Was I a citizen or not?

I migrated with my parents from Britain in 1959 at the age of 11. We (like many migrants at that time) believed we were Australian citizens as soon as we arrived. In 1968 I was drafted into the army and served in Vietnam. Again, we assumed that meant I was an Australian citizen. However, when I returned home and sought war pension entitlements, I was told I was not eligible because I was not a citizen – even though I had fought for the country. My parents were livid and sent many letters to the government, but to no avail. I went through the process of citizenship to get what I was entitled to as a veteran (although I am now a proud Aussie).

Michael Butler, Blackburn

Italian generosity

Could the international powers of Matt Canavan's mum be directed towards solving our offshore processing disgrace? I am sure the Italians would not notice a tiny increase in their generous refugee program.

Ken Machin, East Geelong

Enlightened Europe

With so many European bloodlines in our parliament, I am surprised that we do not have more enlightened "European-style" policies regarding aged care, housing, industry policy, health and education.

John Goodman, Williamstown

Dubious citizenship

There is no need to worry about North Korea's nuclear weapons (The Age, 28/7). Kim Jong-un can simply declare all members of our Parliament to be honorary citizens of North Korea and thus overthrow our government.

Suzanne Kirton, Doncaster

Playing with danger

Cricket Australia is an employer. The cricketers are very generously paid employees. Why would I ever think I was justified in ordering my employer around, particularly given I would be interfering with/challenging administrative procedures over which I possess no knowledge, theoretical training nor accountability? I would soon be left sitting on the couch, watching cartoons with the kids. I would also be very wary about losing playing form. The Cricket Australia-employed selectors might be less forgiving than otherwise.

Chris O'Callaghan, Kew

The joy of Japan

Ben Groundwater's "Lessons we can learn from the Japanese" (Comment, 27/7) were spot on. I came back from the country a week ago and would add that at no stage during my trip did I: see a piece of graffiti; hear a car horn; or see a beggar/streetperson. So the country may be repressive but it definitely has a positive ambience.

Elizabeth McCrae, Canterbury

Cry me a river, banks

Macquarie Bank's top three executives, between them, are paid more than $50million per year. Now Macquarie will possibly go offshore to avoid paying the government's bank levy of about $66million in pre-tax earnings. Morality in the bank sector is dead and buried. Bring on the royal commission immediately.

John Johnson, Richmond

What do banks fear?

Australian Bankers' Association chief Anna Bligh argues that a royal commission into banks would harm their international reputation, as well as hurt customers and investors (BusinessDay, 27/7). Surely their Australian reputation is far more important, and they appear to have trashed that with a seemingly endless series of scandals. On the other hand, if a royal commission finds that they have behaved impeccably, their reputation would surely improve.

Ray Pilbeam, Canterbury

We're in this together

Anna Bligh clearly articulates that if we lose trust in banks (one of the four pillars of a civil society), then we are in big trouble. It is easy to jump on the bandwagon in attacking them. (I was very pleased when another tax was slugged on them in the budget.)

However, banks are our largest taxpayer, make a massive contribution to gross domestic product and employment, and are at the forefront of embracing new technology. They have recognised they made mistakes and these are being addressed. They are mindful of the importance of the public, hence the creation of a new position of Customer Advocate. We (the public) are the largest stakeholder, whether it be as shareholders, lendees, investors or retirees. If the banks go down, we will too.

Carolyn Garvey, Kingston

War's sexual violence

Michael Bachelard's report on the nature and extent of sexual assault in the conflict-ridden South Sudan (The Age, 24/7) was truly shocking. I felt extremely distressed just reading about the violence inflicted on children, women and men, and the resulting devastating effects. We can help by donating to charities that are working in Africa.

Diana Yallop, Surrey Hills

A question of safety

Angus Kidman says it is a waste of money to keep our landlines (The Age, 27/7). More alarming is that future landlines connected to the National Broadband Network will not work if the electricity is off, and that we need to keep our mobile phones charged.

Should we ensure a supply of fully charged mobile phones for such emergencies, as who knows how long a power supply might be cut? In the rush to install the latest technology, does anyone consider the risks to health and wellbeing of what seem to be simple changes to how it will work? How advantageous is new technology if it cannot include safety features, along with innovations? How well informed is the public who are waiting for the NBN to come to their area?

Heather D'Cruz, Geelong

Think of the residents

The Premier says the new Chandler Highway bridge is "the best engineering solution" (The Age, 27/7). Bravo. What about the best solution for the community and the state (as required by the Transport Integration Act)? Engineering is important but aren't there other considerations – particularly how the massive six-lane roadway, and the increased pollution, traffic and noise, will affect local residents?

Peter Doughty, Alphington

A family's journey

Thank you, Benison O'Reilly – "How giving my autistic son a 'loving push' paid off", Comment, 27/7 – for sharing your family's story. It makes one reflect on how people develop socially and emotionally from such experiences outside their comfort zone, whether they are on the autism spectrum or not.

Jan Simpson, Malvern

Stuck in no man's land

National Mental Health Commission chairman Allan Fels has expressed serious concerns about the number of people with a mental illness or psychosocial disability who will not be eligible for support in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (The Age, 26/7).

In my world, replete with disability and mental health networks, I do not know a single friend with mental illness who is using the NDIS. My accessibility friends are arming themselves with thousands of rightful dollars in physical aids and services so they can live their lives.

People with mental illness are stuck in no man's land. We are either life-threateningly unwell and jammed into sicker psych wards on a community treatment order. Or we are too "high functioning" (read, independent) to qualify for support. It is an unfair contradiction to champion independence for people with a seen/known disability, but those with mental illness must be overly dependent to qualify for assistance.

Heidi Everett, Heidelberg

No to indoctrination

Greg Clarke – "At risk of ignorance if we remove religion from schools" (Comment, 27/7) – is right. You cannot understand a great deal about what is going on in the world, or much of your own history, if you know nothing about religions. It is also true that religions claim to have answers to some important questions that elude other approaches to knowledge. So, is there a place in schools for teaching religion or teaching about religion? Whatever we do, there is no place in schools for any kind of indoctrination. There should be no teaching of religion until children are mature and confident enough to think for themselves and to question the opinions of others.

Reverend Keith Pickett, Mirboo North

The master tweeter

Trumpism 101: When it gets too hot in the kitchen, tweet a wrong foot and change the media agenda whilst playing to your base.

Bill Cleveland, Kew

AND ANOTHER THING

Dual citizenship

Our most "influential" politician renounced Australian citizenship for US citizenship 32 years ago, so what's the problem?

Brian Meldrum, Chadstone

It's time for Malcolm Roberts to release his source documents.

Loraine Shatin, Middle Park

Does Roberts stops before he gets to a red light or just take "all reasonable steps"?

Ron Slamowicz, Caulfield North

The empirical evidence is clear. Malcolm Roberts was ineligible to sit as a senator when elected.

Chris Davis, Pascoe Vale

If only Roberts could produce empirical evidence to confirm his citizenship change. One hopes not.

Philip Brough, Newtown

I always thought Malcolm Roberts was so ... un-Australian.

Anthony van Loon, Point Lonsdale

Canavan resigned from Cabinet, which implies there's an issue, but stayed in Parliament, implying no problem exists.

Wendy Knight, Little River

Canavan could stay at Nauru for the time it takes the courts to determine his nationality.

Glenn Peters, Windsor

The difference between Waters and Canavan – integrity.

Ian Maddison, Parkdale

There's no need to change the constitution. Just a need to adhere to it.

Stephen Dinham, Surrey Hills

Furthermore

Farewell Dr G.Yunupingu. You made my heart sing. Thank you.

Margaret Collings, Anglesea

My view of extremely well paid cricketers who want more has been set back 70 years, and I'm only 71.

Bob Graham, Yarragon

Why another "gentle" sudoku (27/7)? Thursday is when I get to grips with the "diabolical" one..

Don Jordan, Mount Waverley