Whatever the reason for Donald Trump's decision to axe the livestreaming of the execution of Nadal Hasan, I celebrate that decision.

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Rational objections to the death penalty include its finality, citing examples of people who've been found innocent after the event, the cruel barbarity exemplified by the recent botched attempt to execute Christa Pike, and not to mention its well-attested ineffectiveness as a deterrent.

But for me, the most significant argument against the death penalty is the immense damage it does to the society that demands it and carries it out.

Pete Hegseth's decision to live stream it was in keeping with his barbaric testosterone-poisoned view of a world where might makes right, a view clearly shared by his boss.

Hegseth and his supporters provide us with excellent examples of that damage, as does the current state of the US.

I suppose the world should be grateful to the US for providing us with so many superb examples of what not to do.

Two hectares of land at Regatta Place would be an ideal spot for "missing middle" housing. Ready access to Commonwealth Park, public transport and the city makes it particularly suitable for public and affordable housing. Some think it would be an ideal spot for a swimming pool or a stadium.

The government can spend our rates and taxes to buy that land at a fair price, consult with us on the best use of the land, and use the land to serve our best interests.

Alternatively, the government can let the Catholic Church make a windfall profit by selling the land to some rich people, who want the government to spend hundreds of millions of our dollars building a stadium for them, so that they can make further profits.

Leon Arundell, Downer

Am I the only person in Australia old enough to remember that, in the early days of credit cards, the Australian government prohibited merchants adding a surcharge to the bill when a customer paid by credit card?

This prohibition was removed by the Reserve Bank in 2003. Since then, credit card surcharges have become more and more common. What did small businesses do about their tax payments then?

We made provision in our budgets for paying the tax from cash reserves when it fell due. As for paying my tax bill by credit card, I had no idea that was possible.

One aspect of the proposal for a new lakeside stadium which has not yet entered the arena, so to speak, is a proposed naming.

While not being so bold as to suggest a name for the whole stadium, it is possible to suggest the end at or near the location of the Archbishop's House could become known as "The Godzone End". Teams winning the toss could feel an advantage could be gained by choosing to start the game at that end.

Peter Baskett, Murrumbateman, NSW

It is exciting that more than 25 per cent of new cars purchased in Australia are now electric ("One area holding back electric cars", October 15). Australians have done the maths: EVs cost far less to run than petrol or diesel cars, saving drivers about $3000 a year, while generating zero tailpipe pollution.

But our charging network isn't keeping up. The Albanese government deserves credit for its National Electric Vehicle Strategy.

Adding the national EV charging roadmap is the next important part of the EV puzzle.

Drivers are making the switch. Now it's the........

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