Last Post, April 17

A ghastly event on the Seine that will unite the French and in all likelihood save the Macron presidency.

Kim Keogh, East Fremantle, WA

While the fire-damaged Notre Dame cathedral is a tragedy. I must admit that the suggestion by Malcolm Turnbull to encourage Australians to donate to its reconstruction is a little over the top. Surely such a wealthy institution as the Catholic Church would have had adequate fire insurance based on reinstatement and replacement conditions?

Rob Park, Surrey Hills, Vic

There may well be people happy to contribute to funding for a new Notre Dame cathedral but many Australians are just managing to pay their utility and other bills. Perhaps Malcolm Turnbull might instead prefer to kick in whatever amount he had originally put aside to help him fight this federal election?

Claire Jolliffe, Buderim, Qld

Bill Shorten, I get free blood tests now and I’m not even a pensioner (“Free blood tests: Labor raises health pressure”, 16/4).

Sheila Duke, Balmoral, Qld

I’m nearly 80. For the past seven years, through a private clinic, I’ve been having blood tests and taking medication for leukemia. I have never paid a cent for pathology. Please explain, Bill Shorten?

Nigel Benjamin, Indooroopilly, Qld

Rugby Australia and its sponsors should be thanked for doing what Billy Graham did in Australia exactly 60 years ago. They have made the New Testament and the gospel of Jesus Christ a talking point across the nation. Hallelujah!

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

While it’s acceptable to be openly gay (and rightly so), it seems that if you are religious then you’re best staying in the closet. These are sad days, indeed.

Carl Forsey, Bassendean, WA

You can’t discriminate against homosexuals, but you can discriminate against Christians. Will someone lay out the rules so it’s clear who we can put the boot in?

Francis Smith, Caulfield Nth, Vic

Karen Nettleton has been relentless in the pursuit of her grandchildren, who are trapped in a Syrian refugee camp. She has shown enormous courage and perseverance and f anyone deserves an Order of Australia on the basis of caring for children in distress it is certainly this compassionate woman.

Ed Sianski, West Moonah, Tas

A letter in The Australian yesterday (“Anti-Semitism in Labor”) referred to Melissa Price as the former Labor candidate for Curtin. The letter should, of course, have referred to Melissa Parke. Price is the Coalition’s Environment Minister.