Last Post: Victorian Libs, drovers dogs, and knowing when your turkey is cooked

A drover’s dog could probably win the next Victorian state election, but I’m not sure about John Pesutto.

Shaun Miller, Prahran, Vic

The constitution of the Victorian Liberal Party should be amended to include a Deeming provision: when the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven.

Murray Alder, Canning Vale, WA

What the Pesutto-Deeming episode has highlighted is that Victorian Liberal Party powerbrokers such as the Krogers and the Kennetts and the Baillieus need to get a different hobby. Give the Liberal Party to the young and go fishing. Get out of the way.

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld

The budget mess in Victoria has some silver lining. After John Cain and Joan Kirner had virtually bankrupted the state by the early 1990s, the next premier, Jeff Kennett, had the imprimatur to undertake major reforms, some of which were replicated in the rest of Australia.

Ken Clarke, Tweed Heads, NSW

After reading on your front page that Tony Burke’s office declined to answer your questions (“Detention drama: they can’t keep inmates in … or drugs out”, 23/12), I ask this question: who is paying his and their wages? I believe it is us, the taxpayers.

LM Silbert, West Leederville, WA

Michael Leunig’s detractors criticise him because he upset some people. I say: So what? So did Jesus, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa. Prophets expressing passionate convictions wouldn’t be doing their job if some people weren’t offended.

Fr Kevin Burke, Sandringham, Vic

Will the Albanese government soon be issuing health travel warnings to Australians intending to visit countries that have nuclear power?

Tom Barry, Jindabyne, NSW

At airport check-in yesterday I was given directions after security to turn far right. I replied: I’ve already done that.

Leo Oostveen, Spring Hill, Qld

One sleep until Christmas and 28 sleeps until the second coming on January 20.

George Fishman, Vaucluse, NSW

Along with this inveterate letter writer who had his first letter to a paper published 60 years ago, I’m sure all correspondents would wish to return John Sheldrick’s wish of a happy Christmas (Last Post, 23/12). Letters pages are priority reading for me and it’s good to be part of the merry throng that makes them happen.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW