Last Post, May 2

Sympathy for the less fortunate is admirable, but policy focused on this is destructive. Productivity is always the key to growth. Raising taxes, robbing retirees, and redistributing wealth is in no way going to grow an economy. Wealth generation has been ignored by Labor, and the only result is economic decline.

Alexander Kallas, Somers, Vic

To paraphrase Bill Shorten: “I don’t know what it will cost, but whatever it costs I agree with it.”

Chris Lloyd-Bostock,
Connellys Marsh, Tas

By 2007, John Howard had made us sufficiently relaxed and comfortable that we could see no reason not to accept Labor’s options. The Liberals and Nationals were considered to be irrelevant and would not be needed until we again felt tense and uncomfortable. Are we sufficiently tense and uncomfortable?

Alex Campbell, Taringa, Qld

I have no doubt that when Kevin Rudd made his visit to a New York strip club he behaved like a perfect gentleman. Still, he is probably glad that a media organisation did not release, two weeks before an election, a recording of that visit.

Terry Ward, Kingsley, WA

One Nation candidate Steve Dickson’s actions at the strip club were little more than providing a working girl with some undeclared income (“I’ve been let down, says teary Hanson”, 1/5).

Warren Lilleyman, Claremont, WA

How come Steve Dickson’s effort to overturn the nation’s gun laws using foreign funds is not a sackable offence but fondling a stripper is?

John Carson, Chapel Hill, Qld

To help Bill Shorten in his search for motherhood issues, I suggest the least rewarded sector in society, volunteers, encourage government to set up a register whereby a taxpayer-funded volunteer reward system could be established based on an hourly rate determined by the Fair Work Commission.

David Lion, Bondi, NSW

Wayne Smith says Israel Folau has committed the sin of putting himself above the game (“Boycott threat if Folau wins case”, 1/5). Rugby union has put hurt feelings above the game.

Martin Fitzgerald, Pennant Hills, NSW

I support all Christian Pacific Island rugby players who are being censored from expressing their religious beliefs publicly and risk being penalised. Full respect to Taniela Tupou for supporting Israel Folau at great personal and financial risk for doing so. We could very well be seeing the end of Australian rugby, unless Rugby Australia reverses its authoritarian and exclusive policy, which has no place in a free Australia.

Mitchell Beston, Woy Woy, NSW