That’s nearly as much as an aged pensioner couple get a year to live on, and most pensioners have worked and paid tax for many years to earn their pension.

When did this insidious middle-class welfare sneak in? 

When I wore a younger man’s shoes, we had to think carefully before adding to our family – cost was a major factor. 

Not any more it seems. The more kids, the merrier (and richer) you become.

I think the Treasurer may have been right. Too many leaners. 

Apart from that, vaccination should be mandatory for all children, with no conscientious or religious exceptions allowed. For the better good.

 David Taylor, Horsley

With the Abbott government’s attitude to Australia’s pensioners sinking faster than an undertaker’s lowering device, I never cease to be amazed at the lack of fresh initiatives that would easily lower the costs of helping our low-income battlers get through the never-ending minefield of hardships in their lives.

Pensions should be paid monthly instead of fortnightly, for those persons who seldom have any changes to their circumstances.

There should be 50 free prescriptions at the start of the Medicare year. 

All local phone calls should be free.

There should be no sales taxes or GST on replacement of major household appliances once every six years.

 It is time for Australia to give back something to those who have worked forit.

Dave Cox, Corrimal

Having endured the most toxic, non-performing and financially inept  Labor government led by Rudd/Gillard/Rudd, we now have an equal in Abbott and Hockey. Since the announcement of last year’s budget, there has been no improvement in our financial status, the exact opposite is occurring and not all of it the fault of these two politicians but a bunch of looney senators who are holding this country to ransom by not passing much-needed legislation.

  Abbott promised us no surprises yet we are hearing constant rumours of changes to the pensions, changes to the Centrelink asset rules, changes to the GST, changes to the superannuation rules, and changes to the ‘‘negative gearing’’ tax breaks. 

   The reality is that the government has no idea how to govern, they make and suggest policy on the run, spend money like drunken sailors and the opposition is no better. Why are large corporations allowed to  operate and trade here and minimise their tax obligations? I would think that this type of tax minimisation rort would be easily stopped and still make Australia a good country to trade and manufacture in. Stop trying to screw the ordinary Australian and tax those that should pay their fair share and we would all be better off.

John Ernst, Kanahooka

In recent correspondence from Adrian Devlin, he seeks to associate socialists and unionists with sharia (Islamic law).

As no political party in Australia is advocating the introduction of this legal system, his comments could be construed as xenophobic. Please explain.

Bob Fulton, Darkes Forest