The nation can’t afford to lose politicians of integrity

If the spoilers succeed in bringing down Josh Frydenberg and Christian Porter at this election, the nation will be the poorer for it. Both are highly capable men destined to rise to the top. They are prepared to surrender their privacy and make considerable sacrifices. Whether in government or opposition they have the potential to make a significant contribution to the growth and development of Australia.

If MPs are to regain the trust and respect of the electorate we cannot afford to lose men and women of high calibre, integrity and vision.

Jim Dickson, Mt Eliza, Vic

The removal of Malcolm Turnbull should be debated. In the 2016 election campaign Turnbull as leader lost 14 seats almost resulting in the loss of government (“The worst possible outcome awaits us all”, 11/5). Scott Morrison’s campaigning is far superior to Turnbull and he is a demonstrably more unifying leader.

Peter van Onselen hopes that there is a good Labor majority because it would give the Coalition a chance to effectively reinvigorate, referencing John Howard’s rise to prime minister. But van Onselen forgets that after Bob Hawke’s 1983 landslide win, the Coalition was out of government for 13 years. If the Coalition loses by a narrow margin, Labor will have to argue its policy agenda to the people rather than rubber stamping legislation through parliament. This has to be good for the country.

Riley Brown, Bondi Beach, NSW

As Peter van Onselen rightly points out, a narrow Labor win on Saturday could be disastrous for Australia. The thought of a Labor government reliant on the Greens to pass the numerous promises Bill Shorten has made is frightening. Each one would be the opportunity for the Greens to blackmail and bully a Labor-dominant lower house into submission and acceptance of their dictates.

Any Labor failure to submit to the Greens’ demented demands would generate future reciprocation. Forgiveness has not been one the Greens’ most obvious traits.

Peter Curlewis, Yass, NSW

What a splendid comment by Peter van Onselen. His rational and unbiased analysis has been the highlight of this campaign.

The Coalition would be in a much better position if it showed some loyalty and support for the leader it put in place only a short time ago. Like the man from Snowy River, Scott Morrison seems to be the only one to leap down the steep descent and to have a go. If the Coalition wins, all the deserters will be quick to claim credit. If it loses, they would have a scapegoat.

Mick Hawkins, Warradale, SA

The Labor Party claims it is giving Australians a fair go, but their poorly thought out tax changes seem to have missed that goal. The increased tax take to fund Labor’s extravagant $387 billion social welfare program will severely reduce the actual income of almost a million retirees and low-income investors. The worst policy is the removal of cash franking credits. It is highly discriminatory, not grandfathered, and will hardly affect the top-end-of-towners because they continue to increase their net income by offsetting the credits against tax obligations. Among those worst affected by this $58bn tax grab over the next decade are retired couples. The proposed pensioner guarantee will add to the inequality by paying the credits if one of them gets a government pension. The policy may lead to significant complications for the commercial funds if they have to declare differential pension rates that depend on the tax liabilities of each member. The legality of this policy will probably be tested in the High Court.

Ian Wilson, Chapel Hill, Qld

Chris Kenny is unhappy at the manner in which this election has been run and reported (“A black and white decision falls hostage to grey debate”, 11/5). There is no doubt that important policies, mainly from Labor, have not been analysed and costed. For example, Labor wants to double the refugee intake that, with the uncapped parents’ visas, will cost a billion or two. But it’s only peanuts, according to the Left, and there are many more. The uncosted policy on climate change is a joke to thinking voters and could be the final straw for the undecided.

This election is the most important for many years. We have an opposition composed of the same people from the Rudd and Gillard governments — the political model for chaos and ineptitude

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan, NSW