I think this is wonderful news and I sincerly look forward to Ms Banks showing us all how this is done.

I look forward to her releasing a detailed budget and her practical demonstration of how she can be so frugal.

I will be delighted to watch her educate all Australians who struggle to make ends meet.

Doug Steley, Heyfield

My dear old Dad always taught me to pay my way & live within my means,only spend what you can afford & don’t borrow monies,My beef is if Australia is so far in debt (multi millions),WHY are we giving monies away to other countries, Am I missing something & was dear old Dad Wrong in his wisdom. Peter Tornaros , Oak Flats

For over 50 years, The Salvation Army and the Australian community have united to bring hope where it’s needed most through the annual Red Shield Appeal.

The Red Shield Appeal is the lifeblood of The Salvation Army. It ensures that we can continue to support the women and children who are fleeing domestic violence, the people trapped in drug and alcohol addiction, the youth who are sleeping on our streets, and so much more.

It is the Salvos’ main fundraiser, helping keep the doors open to our many support services. But with more and more people from all walks of life turning to us for assistance, this year we will need as much help as we can get.

So we are calling on community groups, sporting clubs, workplaces, families and individuals to get on board and volunteer for the Red Shield Appeal during the month May.

And we are asking people across the country to please donate to this year’s appeal. Even just a small contribution can make an immeasurable difference in someone’s life.

Every day, the Salvos live, love and fight for the needs of our community.

We can only do this because, year after year, Australians come together to give hope where it's needed most.

So please, get involved in this year’s Red Shield Appeal by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or by visiting salvos.org.au, because no one should have to go it alone.

Lieut- Colonel Neil Venables,

My dear old Dad always taught me to pay my way & live within my means,only spend what you can afford & don’t borrow monies.

My beef is if Australia is so far in debt (multi millions).

Why are we giving monies away to other countries?

Am I missing something? And was dear old Dad wrong in his wisdom? 

Peter Tornaros , Oak Flats

One of Aesop’s Fables written around 600 BC provided an adage that serves to invoke caution and the consideration of the long-term consequences from greed-based actions.

This pearl of wisdom is from the fable that warns against “killing the goose that lays the golden eggs”.

 There was a man who owned a goose who laid one little golden egg each day, however, this wasn’t enough for the man.

He wanted more.

He convinced himself the inside of the goose was all gold and he should get all of it in one lump sum. So, he slaughtered the bird expecting finish up with one great big chunk of gold.

Well, we all know how that story ended.

Over the thousands of years since, communities have sometimes lost sight of the important lesson this little story imparts.

However, there has always been some who have constantly ignored it – the greedy and the fools.

Richard Burnett, Wollongong