Last Post, March 29

Bill Shorten and his colleagues constantly rail against “the big end of town”. The billionaire, Anthony Pratt, was kind enough to throw a fundraiser for Labor. Probably the only thing that Malcolm Turnbull got right was Shorten’s propensity for getting his knees under the dining tables at the top end of town.

Annette James, Beauty Point, Tas

Why does Bill Shorten entering Raheen via the stable doors remind me of the Charles Dickens character Uriah Heep?

P. J. Grant, Ipswich, Qld

Jason Thomas is correct (“Traitors would kill us; it’s in their nature”, 28/3). Islam has undergone no reformation and the notion that the Koranic edicts cannot be altered is fundamental to a theology that denigrates Western values.

Robert Bright, Yorkeys Knob, Qld

Jason Thomas’s assessment of the dangers of repatriating (for want of a better word) Islamist sympathisers to Australia is profoundly incisive, calm and intelligent. Any chance of a secure future for our children now hinges on whether Australia’s leaders can be similarly decisive, calm and intelligent.

Mark Dyer, Rockingham, WA

Considering how often Pauline Hanson and her bumbling lieutenants have shot themselves in their feet, it’s a wonder they have any feet left to put in their mouths.

Crispin Walters, Chapel Hill, Qld

My conspiracy theory is that Pauline Hanson went into politics to make the hard Right look bad.

Henry Herzog, St Kilda East, Vic

Pauline Hanson has been shooting her mouth off for years but keeps missing the target.

Ken Johnston, Rochedale South, Qld

While dealing with the US National Rifle Association, a legal organisation, is probably naive for a political party, I wonder what deals have been offered to outfits such as GetUp in return for the overseas dollars it receives.

P. Edwards, Safety Bay, WA

A tale of two universities and all you need to know about the postmodern academic world of alternative facts. James Cook University sacks Peter Ridd for telling the truth about the Great Barrier Reef. Murdoch University stands by lecturer Dean Aszkie­lowicz for wrongly calling the Anzacs killers.

Jim Ball, Narrabeen, NSW

Bruce Yardley wasn’t Australia’s greatest off spinner, lower order batsman or gully fielder. He was, a wonderful ambassador of the great game and his country. He played cricket in the right spirit. I will always remember his unbridled enthusiasm and infectious smile.

Paul de Young, Marmion, WA