Greed is obviously king - especially in trying to rip off the taxation system.

If a small number of people insist on using franked credits to claim refunds on tax they never paid, then perhaps the problem requires a simple policy change.

I realise this would be an imposition on the majority of investors, but the fault would lie with a greedy minority who want to rort the system. - Patrick Russell, Sanctuary Point

Everyone should read Dillon's excellent explanation of why Labor's plan to not pay franking credits to people who earn no other income is unfair.

Another reason it is unjust is that many people chose to reinvest their dividends and franking credits. In other words they receive no cash, but are given more shares by the company issuing the franking credits. I presume Labor is not going to prevent this reinvestment? - Gillian Baldwin, Windradyne

The Labor proposal does take away a benefit we have become used to, but we should all have looked on this as a lovely government grant that was never going to last because it never made sense as good policy. - Warren King, Hornsby Heights

Labor's diabolical plan of not allowing low-income retirees a franking refund for the tax already deducted from their modest dividends has shown this party's monstrous contempt for older Australians.

They reject the principle of a "fair go for all" including our taxation system. They will be forcing low-income, older, retired Australians to pay tax when previously there had been a sensible, equitable law that they be exempt. - Jennifer Austin, Seaforth

The alternative view is that, under existing arrangements, 75 per cent of the value of these tax benefits go to people in the top 10 per cent income earners, most of whom are actually below normal retirement age and still working.

Further, no OECD country other than Australia allows this generous and anomalous tax break. - John Slidziunas, Woonona ​

There are no complex issues here.

Voters simply have to decide whether it is better to give some of the tax that has been collected specifically to shareholders with no "taxable" income (and who may have prudently planned for this), or perhaps give it to others without either shares or taxable income, or to use it for schools, hospitals or whatever. - Paul Compton, Randwick

Beware self-interested brokers' warnings of doom

Coalition and Labor back-peddling on wiping out upfront commissions for mortgage brokers will deliver unintended consequences Hayne warned about ("Why you're better off paying a mortgage broker yourself", February 7).

The lobbyists are already in full flight with tales of doom but we should see the self-interest every time.

Banks pay brokers trailing commissions to "encourage" the broker not to churn their customers.

It's easy money for the broker. Retaining upfront commissions will mean brokers are incentivised to churn existing customers – a bit more work for them but more money, too. - Denis Curran, Oatley

If, as reported, going through a broker means a larger mortgage and a higher default rate, what are they actually paid for?

It seems they are a totally unnecessary middleman, taking a cut for no added value. - Andrew Taubman, Queens Park

Within all the talk and fallout from the banking Royal Commission, one sad truth emerged with bank share prices going up, even as their odious conduct was being dealt with by a token tap on the wrist.

It's pretty clear that our materialistic and egocentric society worships one god – money. - Judy Finch, Cedar Party

How disappointing not to learn until my twilight years that the downside of conducting organised, widespread, systematic and lucrative crime is to have to spend a few days being subjected to a legal tongue lashing and having to repay just a small percentage of the crime proceeds. What a missed opportunity.

The commission will impact Australian society for generations to come with our attitude to white collar crime becoming increasingly benign. - David Warburton, Maclean

Why not go back to the system of the 1930s and have a bank owned by the federal government which would be followed by state-owned and private banks.

The federal government bank would set the standard, as the Commonwealth Bank did up until it was privatised by the Hawke government and all the strange activities of the banks started and became worse. - Brian Sewell, Dulwich Hill

If I'm raised on the wrong side of the fence, poorly educated, living hand-to- mouth and rob a bank there's a strong chance I'll do time.

If I'm well-educated and raised in a life of privilege with an overly generous salary and bonuses and do an "inside job'' I'll most likely get a slap on the wrist. We have lost our moral compass. - Peter Singer, Arrawarra Headland

I want to know if the advice the banks charged the dead folks for was any better than the advice they charged me for. - Stephen Driscoll, Castle Hill

Promising contenders

"Promises": the word for 2019 (Letters, January 7). I shall say this more than once: "Promises, promises, promises". - Joy Cooksey, Harrington

What about the old favourite "raft"? There were rafts of policies, rafts of new initiatives ... you name it. The only raft I ever saw on the harbour was built by my young son and his mate, from an old door and some polystyrene, paddled with a bit of plank. - Robyn Cashman, Fernhill

I gather all these early recommendations for word of the year is part of "moving forward". - Brian Collins, Cronulla

I was going to suggest "iconic " as 2019 word of the year, but it is so 2018. However, there's always "impacted" as another front runner. - Claire Edmonds, Floraville

The big sleep

I always love watching Midsomer Murders because of its lovely scenery and delightful characters (Letters, February 7). Admittedly, I sleep through most of it, and now you tell me it includes violence? - Rosemary O'Brien, Georges Hall

Good grief, Jean Stiller, this is much worse than we thought. A whole county is dead? - George Manojlovic, Mangerton

Friends of stadium deserve our thanks

My thanks and congratulations to those brave individuals who had the courage and resources to mount the legal action to stop the Premier and her developer mates from proceeding with the demolition of a perfectly good stadium ("Last gasp legal bid to save stadium", February 7). Hopefully they can delay the bulldozers until after the election next month and groups like Rugby Australia can hang their heads in shame for accepting the 30 pieces of silver. - David Hawkins, Bilgola

Ask and you'll receive

You do not need to wait for the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates to get a better deal from your bank ("Election interest rate cut on cards", February 7). With the banking sector currently on the nose, they have nowhere to hide. Just ring them up and demand it. - Michael Blissenden, Dural

Premier attacks democracy

Gladys Berejiklian announced that the government would allocate funds for a sports stadium in Orange but only if the Liberal Party's representative is elected to that seat in the election ("Berejiklian accused of $25m 'bribe' to regain seat", February 7).

This is not just blackmail but an attack on our democracy. This is not Liberal Party funds, but state taxpayer funds to be allocated by our government for the benefit of our state.

It is disgusting that our premier feels it is acceptable to make such an announcement. - Ana Robson, Coonamble

Premier, does Orange need $25 million of tax payer money, or not? Either it does, or it doesn't, regardless of who the local MP is. This NSW LNP government is going to keep ICAC busy for years to come. - Peter Newberry, Randwick

I live in the state electorate of Goulburn and I'm wondering what kind of 'bribe' the Premier might come up with here to improve the chances of the candidate the government favours, as she has in Orange. Would I be right in thinking that a much needed new water supply system for our small community might hinge on us voting according to the Premier's preference? Makes you pretty cynical. - Derrick Mason, Boorowa

Voters in Orange should still get their fair share no matter who is their sitting member as it is the job of the Parliament to be fair to all. This is a clear case of blackmail. - Christine Pulley, Armidale

Risking patients' lives

As a doctor who has worked with the helicopter rescue services, I was regularly met with looks of astonishment from pilots when they learned the hours that junior doctors are forced to work in the NSW public hospital system ("Exhausted surgeon dismissed as 'emotional female' ", February 6).

Like medicine, aviation is a high stakes profession where mistakes can cost lives. Unlike medicine, the working hours of pilots are strictly regulated and enforced.

NSW Health blatantly ignores its own Safe Working Hours policy, largely because following it would cost millions of dollars in overtime payments and additional staff to reduce workload.

I applaud Dr Kadota for speaking out on this practice. Junior doctors are well aware that speaking out in this fashion can place their careers in jeopardy – thus their dangerously irresponsible working hours are allowed to continue. - Andrew Hill, Dulwich Hill

Speech hides real Trump

Well done to the language experts who wrote Trump's State of the Union speech, using literary devices like alliteration, internal rhymes and the emotive rule of three. Plaudits to the tireless team who coached him in using the teleprompter to produce a fluent delivery ("Call for unity on divisive issues", February 7).

Oh so different from the bumbling, stumbling, disjointed talk of the real Trump. - Joan Brown, Orange

Women lead the way

What a wonderful response by Democrat Stacy Abrams to Trump's pathetic State of the Union address.

What a brilliant effort by lawyer Rowena Orr in the Banking Royal Commission.

How humane of NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to offer to house refugees who really are Australia's responsibility.

And how great to see Nancy Pelosi at 78 constantly shine.

If only we could enlist these magnificent women to sort out Australia's ongoing lack of leadership, perhaps with the assistance of our new Independents. In my dreams. - Lynne Poleson, Kingsford

NAPLAN not all bad

In defence of NAPLAN, as a parent, the test has provided me with the only objective results I have received in my child's four years of schooling (Letters, February 7).

The school report gives a one word assessment of ability in each subject. In my child's case, last year, the same assessment label was given across all subjects.

In contrast, the NAPLAN results gave a clear distinction between ability in various subjects.

NAPLAN results showed that my child (who has learning difficulties) achieved state average result in maths but was well below state average in language and literacy. The results gave a further statistical breakdown of ability within more specific skills in the subjects.

This has been invaluable in enabling me to support my child where it is most needed.

Despite the assertions of correspondents, neither my child, my child's teacher, nor myself were "traumatised" by the NAPLAN.

At the start of the year, my child's teacher advised that she did not "teach to the NAPLAN". This is as it should be.

As a parent, I don't construe the results as measuring the capability of the teacher or school. - Jane Wilkie, Gymea

A message to all beginning teachers. After 30 years in school education I retired exhausted and burnt-out following an extraordinarily interesting, varied and rewarding career working with children and families.

Always remember, the children come first, the political hoo haa last, and keep challenging 'the system' with your questions. - Elizabeth Starr, Chiswick

Deceived by appearance

Your correspondent writes of the ridiculous nature of dress by the PM (Letters, February 7).

Her views highlight a more serious issue, being the judgment of a person based on their appearance.

I will listen to ideas presented by a person wearing a clown suit if they provide progress to a more thoughtful, caring nation.

Let's move on from appearance-based judgments. - Patrick Raftery, Clothiers Creek