Last Post: Polling campaign of fast promises rolling on

Critics of Peter Dutton’s proposal to substantially increase the defence budget could do well to be mindful of the adage: no one loves a warrior until the enemy is at the gate.

Roy Stall, Mount Claremont, WA

This election campaign promises bread and circuses. Unfortunately, the price of bread is rising and the circuses are moving offshore to get a reliable supply of cheaper power.

Brian McGregor, Mount Claremont, WA

As a letter writer points out, during World War II we had the concept of the Brisbane Line, with the notion that lands north of that were considered indefensible (Letters, 24/4). With today’s military capability, perhaps we should have a Bass Strait concept and make Tasmania a hard nut to crack.

Frans Bieber, Arana Hills, Qld

As we ponder Anzac Day and the real threat of China and Russia on our doorstep, it may be timely to ask ourselves: who would we rather be in the trenches with: Albanese, Marles and Burke; or Dutton, Hastie and Paterson?

Gabrielle Baker, Carina, Qld

I have never quite understood why we ask the voter who didn’t vote for the initial winner in the first-past-the -post voting who they would vote for second. They had their vote, why give them another vote?

Murray Horne, Cressy, Vic

With the practice of conducting exit polls on increasing numbers of pre-polls, does this skew or influence the result of the actual poll? It’s often said the only poll that counts is on election day (as opposed to opinion polls) but is this the case any more?

Roseanne Schneider, Toowoomba, Qld

With more than a million people having voted as pre-polling opened, why do we need an election day on May 3? There may not be many people left to vote. There was a long queue for pre-polling the next day as well.

Alison Copeman, Palm Beach, NSW

Donald Trump has done so many twists and turns and backflips with his tariff policies that surely his true calling upon his presidential term ending would be to join the US gymnastics team.

Shaun Miller, Prahran, Vic

Peter Dutton is getting so good at backflips he is now in contention for a diving medal at the upcoming world championships in Beijing. While there, he could get some tips from Xi Jinping on how to win an election.

Ben Jenke, Darling Point, NSW