Last Post: Treasurer’s pre-election ‘drunken sailor spree’

The Treasurer’s $58bn pre-election drunken sailor spree (“Chalmers’ legacy a decade of deficits”, 19/12) brings a sober economic reminder that “the future starts today, not tomorrow”.

Steve Ngeow, Chatswood, NSW

Labor’s spending splurge: Cluster’s Last Stand?

W. Reid, Crace, ACT

Judith Sloan is right to not compare Jim Chalmers’ profligate spending with that of drunken sailors. But inebriated sailors are spending their own money; Chalmers is spending ours.

Doug Hurst, Chapman, ACT

I saw the title doctor applied to the Treasurer in The Australian. Having now prescribed 10 years of budget deficits, could he please staunch the bleeding?

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld

“The consistent tone and trajectory” of the Albanese government’s criticism of Israel is now impossible to miss. Labor has certainly chosen the right attack dog in its desire to alienate a special friend that single-handedly holds the Middle East together for the free world.

Alan Chipp, Hawthorn East, Vic

Madeleine King says gas is vital insurance as we proceed to decarbonise our economy. She states the world needs gas as the vital backup for renewables as we phase out coal. If that’s the case, why doesn’t she stop stupid state governments banning gas from new residential projects?

Evatt Furney, Gordon, NSW

Years ago, when we drove as a family across the border into Queensland or Victoria, someone would ask “How do you feel?” and someone else would answer “I’m in an awful state”. In those days it was just a weak “Dad joke” but in recent years Labor has done its best to make it a reality.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

If Mr Pesutto is finding it a bit hard to pay out $300,000 to Moira Deeming, he should set up a GoFundMe account. But I think even Victorians would baulk at that.

Ed Turner, Sinnamon Park, Qld

Let’s get this right: a foreign country that hasn’t had hostile military action on its own border for three generations gives advice to Israel. Israel points out the realities of its situation and the futility of the advice offered by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Murray Horne, Cressy, Vic

The prediction of the demise of Justin Trudeau is heartwarming. I just hope the poll wasn’t done by Ann Selzer.

Leo Oostveen, Chippendale, NSW