Last Post, February 6

Laughing all the way to the bank

I enjoy the daily Johannes Leak cartoon but yesterday I did a Liberace and laughed all the way to the bank.

Ken Johnston, Rochedale South, Qld

On the ABC’s 7.30 program, Leigh Sales asked Josh Frydenberg if the Government had been mistaken in resisting a royal commission into the banking industry. Instead of evading the question, the Treasurer would have gained far more respect had he simply, and honestly, answered “Yes”.

Tony Barnett, Kangaroo Valley, NSW

I'm stunned Malcolm Turnbull has acknowledged he should have called for the banking inquiry earlier. It would have been so easy to blame his then treasurer. Hmm.

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW

Who do you trust? Good question. I've only ever trusted my little piggy bank, but on recent closer inspection even that has a crack in it.

Martin Klavins, Crafers West, SA

The royal commission has got my bank shares up, now to try and hang on to their franking credits.

Jeff Stokes, Largs Bay, SA

Can someone explain to me why the bosses of the big banks are not arrested tomorrow? If I stole money from a dead man’s wallet, I would expect to be prosecuted.

Victor Branson, Waterloo, NSW

While the royal commission may have exposed what we’ve all long suspected not much mention has been made of the financial illiteracy and, indeed, naivety of some of the complainants. It seems to me the basic premise of the financial management of your own affairs has been lost in our affluent lives, viz: when it comes to money don’t trust anyone and always be prepared to be disappointed.

Terry Walmsley, Benowa, Qld

The royal commission will go down in history as a fizzer unless someone goes to jail. If no banker goes to jail they will be at it again as soon as the dust settles.

Robert Harcourt, Hahndorf, SA

The royal commission report takes a long time to read so a quick summary of the recommendations or what they should be follows: Don't be scum. Don't rip off your customers, especially the dead ones.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill, Vic

The media is full of hope that implementation of Kenneth Hayne’s recommendations will go some way towards restoring public trust in the financial sector. Fat chance. Trust is a bit like virginity. Once it’s gone it’s gone.

John McHarg, Marylands, WA

Kenneth Hayne for Australian of the Year.

Arthur Giannopoulos, Mitcham, SA