Last Post: Lights out, Peter Dutton, Jim Chalmers

I was having a glass in a pub with a farmer mate and another mate who works in a factory in the big smoke. We were as one with our admiration of the ability of the just-left-us-government and the just-joined-us-Government, and the bureaucracy that runs them, to address the important issues of gender neutrality and the use of correct pronouns. These are critical issues on a farm and in a factory. We were about to address the issue of why they always choose military equipment on the basis of its manufacturability in marginal seats, rather than its effectiveness and suitability, when the lights went out.

John Colebatch, Kelso, NSW

Based on the management of our power supply, we should hope that there is intelligent life out in space because there’s no evidence of any down here on earth.

M. McMurray, St Ives, NSW

It appears Jim Chalmers has a bad case of what the real estate market would call buyer’s remorse. Sorry Jim, but the “auction” on May 21 was unconditional and you had plenty of time to do your due diligence. Stop blaming the previous owners and just get on with business.

John Pohlman, Leopold, Vic

Careful Malcolm. Too much carping on Peter Dutton and you’ll have us liking him.

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld

Jane Bieger, you and Peta Credlin are gems. It is time for the Liberal Party to wake up and heed the wise words of these two ladies.

Michael Seymour, Castle Hill, NSW

Jenny Goldie (Letters, 14/6) has put into words the alarm I felt at reading about Allegra Spender’s policy preference for a huge boost to immigration and housing. Wildlife numbers have declined 68 per cent over the last 50 years. This is in direct proportion to the increase in the Australian human population. My hope is that Tanya Plibersek understands this connection and recognises its relevance to her portfolio.

Mary Marlow, Blackheath, NSW

Even though I have always had great sympathy for Christian Porter’s plight, I have equal admiration for Jo Dyer’s description of their past intimate encounter as “entirely inconsequential and statistically insignificant”. The putdown of the century.

Oleh Butchatsky, Castlecrag, NSW

After 58 years can Victorians dare to dream of another Collingwood v Melbourne grand final?

Brian Sanaghan, West Preston, Vic