• September 18

Golding's cartoon aptly wraps up what must have been the worst week encountered by Senator Sam Dastyari in his Mr Bean impersonator's life (Editorial toon, September 11). At least Rowan Atkinson's character could (eventually) drive away in his Mini.

• SEPTEMBER 17

Peter Martin argues that many non-working 65 to 74-year-old people could not make extra contributions to superannuation.

• COMMENT

Pauline, you are a one-track pony and it is time for a stewards' inquiry into how you run.

• SEPTEMBER 15

Turnbull has not ruled out a future vote on gay marriage in Parliament.

• SEPTEMBER 14

This time they're wasting taxpayers' time and money on a same-sex marriage plebiscite. Most Australians just want this to happen with no fuss and bother. There is nothing to debate.

• SEPTEMBER 13

Congratulations Clover on a well deserved victory over that disgraceful gerrymander ("Moore storms back stronger than ever", September 12).

• SEP12

We have multiple workers compensation systems, multiple systems for injury compensation in the public and product liability areas, and different systems across Australia for injury caused in a motor accident. The result is a virtual lottery.

• SEPTEMBER 11

Delightful article about fathers and grandfathers at playgroup ("Look who's coming to playgroup: it's daddy daycare", September 4).

• SEPTEMBER 10

Renewable energy will resolve energy poverty, not exacerbate it. After all, energy from the sun and wind is free.

Jessica Irvine again demonstrates why we need economists in her article "How economics can make your dinner taste better" (September 9). Thanks to award winning economic research, we now know that if you don't want to pay too much for a meal, stay away from tourist areas. Bob Eggleton Neutral Bay  

• SEPTEMBER 9

I would be the first to admit that it can sometimes be a challenge being a primary caregiver and a parliamentarian. Tanya Plibersek, deputy leader of the opposition

• SEPTEMBER 8

Sam Dastyari. Another NSW political operative demonstrating that we have the best politicians that money can buy.

• SEPTEMBER 7

It's time to ban political donations so as to avoid any inference of fear or favour.

• SEPTEMBER 6

Ross Gittins makes the important distinction between capital and recurrent expenditure accounts in the budget ("Super tax fairness is the key to getting the budget back on track, September 5). He points out that the nation's recurrent expenditure is close to being in balance, and that it is legitimate for the capital cost of long-lasting infrastructure to carry the burden of debt.

• COMMENT

The Dastyari affair has shown the creeping risk soft power's influence poses to our country's politics and economy. ("Riding the red dragon express is an insult", September 3-4.)However, this concern shouldn't stop with China. Businesses in the country are equally guilty of using donations to buy influence. From favourable re-zonings and tax exemptions, to labour reform and market regulation, Peter Hartcher's observation that "it is a polite fiction that donors will give money to politicians without expectation of a return on investment" rung true long before the Yuhu Group got involved.

• SEPTEMBER 4



• SEPTEMBER 3

If the Turnbull government cannot manage its own MPs in order to field a team in the House of Representatives, then how will it manage the economy?

• SEP2

The article by John Watkins on Alzheimer's disease highlights many of the problems for carers and their charges. Carers of relatives with dementia deserve our unreserved admiration.

• SEPTEMBER 2

The state government has jumped the shark. Having half built one rail line, it is drawing lines on maps like they are spaghetti strings.

• SEPTEMBER 1

The revelation and subsequent admission by Senator Sam Dastyari makes it quite clear he has no moral authority to remain in the Senate.

• AUGUST 31

The announcement of the same-sex marriage plebiscite brought Tim Wilson to tears. Now he's pushing for it. This neatly encapsulates the mess that is Australian political leadership.

• AUGUST 30

I would have expected that someone with the political experience of Vanstone would know that "lost" in the context of politics, is a relative term, like "promise" and "mandate". Perhaps she should have indicated whether or not the loss was core, or non-core.

• AUGUST 29

It's no wonder Mike Baird has seen his popularity slip ("Baird crashes back to Earth", August 27-28). Since he won the election he has ridden roughshod over not only the voters of NSW but his own party. 

• AUGUST 28

It is glaringly obvious that not only have the Olympic Games failed in their mission ("Games must chart a fresh path", August 21) but the obsession of elevating sporting individuals to hero status is clearly counter-productive and dishonest.

• AUGUST 27

The French approach to banning burkinis on beaches raises a few issues. Let me deal with just one. I am offended by the sight of Tony Abbott parading in his budgy smugglers but I have no desire to infringe upon his right to look like an idiot.

• AUGUST 26

I was thrilled to hear that in Scott Morrison's "economic headland" speech he will address the problem of the "taxed and taxed-nots".

• AUGUST 25

Should two people of the same gender who love each other be legally permitted to marry?

• AUGUST 24

If it's right to hold a plebiscite on gay marriage, why not hold plebiscites on other issues that upset people, like the niqab, circumcision, abortion or the right to die?

• AUGUST 23

Sports and playing games may not be the cake, but they are the icing.