Last Post: Hard work should be rewarded, not punished by super tax

Hard work should be rewarded, not punished by a tax system that treats imaginary profits like real income. Under the current super proposals, Australians could be taxed on unrealised gains – money they haven’t earned, profits they haven’t pocketed and success they haven’t seen. This isn’t taxation. That’s confiscation.

Andrew Strauss, Darling Point, NSW

These days, $3m in super does not constitute “wealth’’. For many taxpayers it represents the end result of a lifetime of hard work and saving.

Donald Portbury, Tewantin, Qld

I regret to say our Treasurer who wishes to be prime minister believes he has an economy degree.

LM Silbert, West Leederville, WA

Why are new taxes described by governments as tax reforms?

Keith Britton, Mt Eliza, Vic

That the tax on unrealised capital gains is the recommendation of the Treasury tells us more about the calibre of the Treasury than it does about the merit of the tax.

Shane Hughes, Shenton Park, WA

Judith Sloan’s article casts my mind back to my youth (“Ground control to Doctor Jim: not decent”, 5/6). I was introduced to the maxim: “Oh what a web we weave, when first we practise to deceive.” Obviously, Dr Jim is still practising.

John Bicknell, Bargo, NSW

It was disappointing to see Deputy Liberal leader Ted O’Brien standing in front of three flags during a recent speech. The Australian flag is all that’s necessary. At least Peter Dutton got that right.

Julie Winzar, Palm Beach, Qld

Elon Musk was mistaken when called Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” a “disgusting abomination”. The description is more fitting to the President himself.

Rowan Scotcake, Fremantle, WA

A “freedom boat” is sailing to Gaza with aid and with extensive worldwide media publicity. Could freedom boats be launched to the Sudan, due to the war there? It is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis: 11 million displaced; a severe famine, and; up to 150,000 dead. Do they matter? Or are some humanitarian crises more important than others?

Pia Brous, Armadale, Vic

Having sorted climate change, Greta Thunberg now heads for Gaza with a single boatload of food to feed two million Palestinians, as well as her own appetite for publicity. What’s the cargo, Greta, loaves and fishes?

Trevor Farrant, Hackney, SA