Rather than holding military alliances and trade agreements up as holy grails, we need to be asking what, if anything, their benefits are to the people of Australia.

Ben Morris, Wollongong

All we have endured throughout  this week is an endless production of political crap. None sticks out as much as the Backpacker Tax Opera.

This is designed to encourage overseas labour to Australia. We have millions of physically active Australians known as pensioners, who undoubtedly would be more than happy to be able to have a working holiday picking fruit and other produce for farmers.

Many have cars and caravans with all the comforts of home. Why doesn't the government let them earn totally tax free dollars picking the crops?

No tax is a great encouragement to get our pensioners back on the active list. As for the inevitable claims of cheap labour, remember that many of these unfortunates are paid a pension well below the poverty line anyway.

A case of apples a day keeps poverty away.

Dave Cox, Corrimal

Instead of squabbling about how much tax backpackers and other low paid workers should contribute, politicians of all stripes would do well to concentrate on changing laws that allow millions of dollars to be lost to the budget bottom line through the tax minimisation practices of the big end of town and companies.

Jennie Morris, Wollongong

International Volunteer Day is a time for us to reflect on the immense contribution volunteers make to our society and thank them for all that they do.

Red Cross is an organisation built on voluntary service, made up of 17 million volunteers worldwide.

Volunteers help us save lives, build resilient communities, support people in disaster, and prevent and alleviate human suffering in times of war and conflict.

Every day throughout the year our 35,000 members and volunteers in Australia improve the wellbeing of those who are experiencing extreme vulnerability.

I can’t thank them enough for their time, energy and commitment, and I feel privileged to work alongside them.

Voluntary service not only helps the recipients, but also the volunteers whose lives are enriched by the act of giving.

We aim to build an inclusive, diverse and active humanitarian movement based on voluntary service. I strongly urge you to join our humanitarian movement and help your community by visiting redross.org.au/volunteering.

Penny Harrison, Director, Volunteering, Australian Red Cross

Here is an Indication of Donald Trump’s thoughts on the future of the US economy. 

He has picked Steven Mnuchin, a hedge fund manager, to run Treasury and Wilbur L. Ross Jr, a billionaire investor, to head the Commerce Department.

John Macleod,  Berry

Thank you Wilcox for your brilliant piece on Monday, November 28. It needs to be said that today's  youth and young adults have forgotten the english language.

There are sooooo many brilliant words available if only they would stop the rot and do a "Paul Keating". Brilliant wordsmith. Good luck Wilcox!

Linda Politis, Towradgi