I know it's not his fault but our illustrious unelected, unrepresentative ex sacked advertising Pentecostal Christian prime minister who by the way gave himself a nick name of “Scomo” should be ashamed that the government he purports to lead can let society come to this.

Hungry kids living in cars and parents working at jobs where they don't even earn enough to pay their rent. Both sides of parliament should be ashamed of themselves the Australian fair go is long gone.

Matty Ryan, Fairy Meadow

Socialist governments, if run properly are good governments. They are not only fair and just for the workers but also those in business. In all, tax is paid at a scaled rate, according to income. Hence the determining factor in economic growth is the working population.

The upside of the socialist system is that the economy is dependent on worker and business success. For instance, the power plant worker, of the current hour, may be working for the solar panel manufacturer tomorrow, and by the same token, today’s fossil-fuelled car manufacturers will, if they want stay in business, enter the future and build electric or hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. By contrast, conservative governments, since the youthful days of ‘privatisation’ have abandoned the democratic process.

The outcome of privatisation: cash interest rates have been flat—1.5 per cent since August 2016, residential mortgages in Australia exceed $1.5 trillion, credit card debt is now in excess of $45 billion. To our economic woes add the LNP’s denial of climate change.

The effect of “full” privatisation, is responsible for a rise in homelessness a decline in health, education and social services a rise in the cost of health, education and social services and a rise in the price of electricity and gas. Privatisation is an affront, an insidious disease, plague of the wealthy that destroys the fabric of democracy –  there is no respite.

John Macleod, Berry

I noticed a small item among some political commentary recently that  invites a prediction. The item reported that Liberal backbencher Julie Bishop would seek to remain in parliament at the next federal election and that she had not ruled out leadership ambitions.

My prediction is that the Liberal/National Party Coalition will be decimated at the May election next year and that Scott Morrison will resign as leader.

Despite Julie Bishop's lack of factional support, her public support will outweigh the factional support for people like Abbott or Dutton, to the extent that the Coalition will come to its senses and she will be elected Liberal Leader in 2019.

What are the odds? Surely even Labor supporters would welcome an end to the Muppet Show.

John Martin, Woonona