Our illustrious Prime Minister – with all that power, prestige, money, the vanquishing of lesser opponents and the highest position in the land. And yet ... he just looks so sad, defeated, ineffectual and uninspiring. All that potential gone to waste. Such a Faustian pact he entered in to. "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his soul?" (Mark 8:36). Terribly disappointing.
Michael Slocum, Ascot Vale
A hollow man ...
Mr Turnbull was once revered even by lifelong Labor voters like me. How anyone can now call him a leader is a joke. He is a hollow man, bereft of principles he once held dear. If Theresa May can find a way to get her point across about Trump's SS-like airport round-ups, surely our PM could do the same. There are so many similarities between Trump's rise and the "democratic" ascent of Hitler in 1933. Facebook posts have unmasked many who would gladly have shown the Nazis where Anne Frank was hiding. How I wish for a Prime Minister like Canada's Justin Trudeau.
Louis Blitsas, Middle Park
... who is a prisoner of Abbott's right wing
We need to remember that Mr Turnbull is a prisoner of Tony Abbott's extreme right wing. The views he espouses are actually their views forced upon him by threat of losing the prime ministership. Not only is he gutless in standing up to them, he is exposing the whole Coalition as a bunch of craven cowards, with no principles or moral fibre, only a lust for power and its perks.
Roy Anderson, South Melbourne
Where's the moral courage?
"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality," said Jeff Bleich, former US ambassador to Australia (The Age, 31/1). Malcolm, it is your job to uphold human rights and non-discrimination. Trading refugees on Manus and Nauru for your silence lacks moral courage and conviction. Bring them here; there are no guarantees these refugees will be settled in the US.
Kate Jeffery, Fitzroy North
'Running commentary' a dodge
"It's not my job as Prime Minister of Australia to run a commentary on the domestic policies of other countries," says Mr Turnbull. This "running commentary" dodge and weave has become the Coalition's standard response. The PM and his ministers resort to it even when asked for a single response to a single question. Trotted out as a smooth and clever response, its overuse is now seen as a cowardly mantra for secrecy and deception.
Peter King, Gisborne
A lickspittle and hypocrite
Mr Turnbull hasn't hesitated to provide commentary on the domestic politics of: the Philippines (describing Duterte's remarks about Obama as "intemperate"), the UK (over Brexit), Russia (saying Australia "will not be bullied" over the MH17 investigation) and North Korea (for its "dangerous and provocative" ballistic missile tests). But when it comes to the US it's "not his job". The word "lickspittle" first comes to mind, followed quickly by "hypocrite".
Lachlan Walter, Reservoir
Another scare campaign
I wondered over the summer what vision and reason for being our innovative, forward-looking PM Mr Turnbull would present to us in the new year. Now we finally know – another dishonest scare campaign on electricity prices. Oh, for inspiring leadership.
Kevin Morton, Aberfeldie
THE FORUM
Lessons of history
My daughter started school for the first time this week. I wonder what history she will be taught when she reaches high school? Will it be that Turnbull's government was first silent, then supportive of an emerging fascist government in the US? Or will it be that the Australian public shouted a resounding "no" to this and demanded we stand up against the marginalisation of minorities, against racist immigration policies and demanded human rights because we had already learnt our history lessons.
Andrea Wegner, Reservoir
Might is right
While many in the US and globally are shocked by Trump's fascist actions, half of Americans either support him or don't care what he does. And this is the half that own guns. Trump may be using the immigration issue to force a confrontation with the checks and balances that supposedly exist in the US system.
A firm believer in the "might is right" principle, Trump thinks he can just crash through and become, in effect, a dictator. After all, he is the commander-in-chief, and the armed forces will support Trump, especially as many individual members share Trump's views.
Mike Puleston, Brunswick
Outrage is selective
The international outrage at Trump's temporary entry ban of citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries is interesting. Western leaders, as well as leaders from some of these specific countries, whom themselves deny citizens basic human rights, have denounced this act as illegal and mean-spirited.
Meanwhile, for years Israeli citizens have been banned from entering 16 Muslim countries. Furthermore, of those 16, eight disallow entry to any person whose passport shows evidence that they have travelled to Israel. No international outrage there. Yet another example, on a global scale, of different rules for some.
Rosie Elsass, Brighton
Errors can't be edited
Does Trump realise he is no longer host of a TV reality show where clever editors can edit out mistakes? He is now in the real world with real people. He may have clever script writers, but ultimately, he is in charge of his mouth and his brain. For heaven's sake, Mr Trump, stop acting like the world is your plaything.
Ron Noonan, Lake Wendouree
Opposite result
Nick Toovey (Letters, 31/1), the founding fathers' mistrust of the potential of the hoi polloi to embrace demagoguery led to the "collegiate voting" system. Ironically, that system has now produced a demagogic president, who lost the popular vote by the largest margin in history.
John Topal, South Yarra
The sly old Fox
Australians need to think very, very carefully about the enormous role of Rupert Murdoch's Fox News channel and the "alternative facts" it presents that played in the rise of Trump. Is this what we want for Australia?
April Baragwanath, Geelong
Drawing a fine line
Trump signs with a "thick, black indelible marker pen" (Letters, 1/2), because he hasn't had much practice writing – having only a 77-word vocabulary, inclusive of his name. A child first uses a thick crayon, then moves on to a finer instrument as fine motor skills develop. But not Donald, who is incapable of drawing a fine line.
Sue Lockwood, Eltham
Stump up, ScoMo
The Coalition tells us constantly about the sanctity of the taxpayer's dollar and how we must get value for money. Treasurer Scott Morrison's careless language towards Save the Children employees has now cost taxpayers at least $1 million, not to mention the distress this bully has caused employees (The Age, 1/2). As Morrison is responsible, why doesn't he have to pay the $1 million from his own pocket?
Kim van den Berghe, Highton
Coming late to party
Ian Macfarlane's comments on the need to tackle Australia Day issues highlight all that is wrong with modern-day conservative politicians. No guts. Now retired, Mr Macfarlane has a pique of conscience after the fact, so to speak, regarding what is surely the most disturbing issue to date in this young country. I'm tired of the hate and hypocrisy that has been thrown up since John Howard came to power.
Sean Bowler, Wattle Glen
Robbing Peter ...
The Abbott government withdrew subsidies for the car industry because then leader of the Nationals Warren Truss wanted budget offsets for yet another support program for farmers. The thousands of unemployed car workers thank you, Mr Abbott.
Patricia Green, Glen Waverley
... to pay Paul
I am sad to see the car industry closing. So many other businesses will also fold or struggle to survive. It is a pity many cannot be nimble, agile or innovative, leaving "Jobson Growth" to depart Australia. Where is my new job? I am sure Joe Hockey will not be included in the traditional photo of the last car off the production line. I can only guess he will be busy heavy lifting somewhere in America at our very heavy expense.
Ian Scott, Hamlyn Heights
Labor's dumping ground
It is time safe Labor seats were not used as dumping grounds for facilities such as the new youth justice centre (The Age, 1/2). Liberal governments would never put such facilities in their electorates or swinging seats. It is time Labor treated their safe seats with the same respect.
Raelee Hunter, Keilor Downs
Questions answered
As a retired teacher I love it when someone asks and then answers the "why" questions. Thanks, Paul McDonald (Comment, 31/1), for clarifying the complexities of our juvenile justice system and why it is failing, and coming up with some big-picture ideas. No knee-jerk reaction. Let's hope our government is listening to the experts.
Marie Douglas, Camberwell
Spend money to save
I work in a state secondary school with about 600 students. If we can pay $250million for a new youth detention centre for 250 inmates, can we have a $600million school for 600 students? I thought not. But investing a little more in education might mean not having to spend so much on youth detention.
Anthony Hitchman, St Andrews
Invest in preschool
At the Press Club yesterday, Mr Turnbull said increased Commonwealth spending on education had not been matched by results. However, it is the divisive policy of federal investment in elite private schools that is letting us down. Money must be redirected to public schools to deliver targeted programs that cater for resource-intensive, local educational needs. This includes quality teachers. Furthermore, funding should be delivered at the earliest stage possible. Preschoolers should be guaranteed at least 20 hours a week of quality educational play. There should be no more money for polo fields and rowing teams.
Paul Dingle, Essendon
Pathways are closing
Those committed to socially just education should note recent personal accounts. First was the report of thousands of graduates left with worthless hairdressing qualifications (The Age, 29/1). Compare that distressing story with two other reports (30/1): the new Chief Justice of the High Court left school at 15 and studied at night while working as a legal secretary. And the Tax Commissioner, formerly a policeman, studied at night to gain accounting qualifications.
The establishment of pathways between learning on the job, vocational education and higher education is the greatest contribution in the 50 years to educational change. But the outsourcing of vocational education to the private sector, whose interest is profit and not student good, has crippled opportunities.
Tony Kruger, Fitzroy
Graduates not at fault
I was studying when the new compulsory test was implemented ("New teachers fail basics", 31/1). It only became a requirement for registration when I was in my final semester. It was impossible to sit the test in the allotted time while juggling assessments and compulsory school placements. A six-month exemption had to be granted because otherwise hundreds of graduates would not be registered through no fault of their own.
Further, the slow transfer of results to the Victorian Institute of Teaching left successful students unregistered. Instead of blaming students who overwhelmingly passed the tests, look at the responsibility of the state government, which didn't communicate in a timely way with universities or students about the test requirements.
Vincent Paul, Surrey Hills
Overheads at play
As with all businesses, dentists have overheads such as rent, which varies greatly in different localities and obviously affects costs (The Age, 1/2). Scaling and cleaning is important for teeth health, but some dentists employ hygienists to do this work, which can take up to an hour. Thus the cost can vary even in the same locality. Finally, there are different types of radiographs, and while the OPG radiograph can be bulk billed, it may not show early decay as well as a bitewing radiograph.
George Olstein, Prahran
AND ANOTHER THING...
Malcolm Turnbull
No, Solomon Bender (Letters, 31/1), Mexico cannot be the 51st state of America. Our PM has already claimed that honour for Australia.
Sigbert Muysers, East Ballarat
If you were adrift at sea in a life raft, the PM would be the ideal companion. He'd never rock the boat.
Bill Trestrail, St Kilda
Malcolm – just hold tight and don't listen to all the whingeing.
Barrie Dempster, Balwyn
He had gone to water; now he's evaporating.
Michael McNeill, Bendigo
Donald Trump
Americans voted for a President and ended up with a dictator.
Penny Garnett, Castlemaine
The 10-second grab for TV is silly enough, but Trump has paddled to new shallows with his simplistic tweets.
Barrie Bales, Woorinen North
I doubt he's read Shakespeare's Henry VI, but it didn't take "Old Caligula" long to kill his first lawyer's career.
James Gaffey, Ivanhoe East
Oh dear. It is like Celebrity Apprentice for the acting US Attorney General. "You're fired!"
Debora Mendelson, Toorak
"Super Callous Fascist Racist XtraBraggat Docius" read the truth in a protest banner at Miami International Airport.
Jan Hale, Torquay
Remember "All the way with LBJ"? Now it's "Pump for Trump" and "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours".
Lorraine Bull, Morwell
Finally
Will the member for Warringah please resume his seat?
John Bye, Elwood
Could all decent blokes called Frank and Earnest please stand up and defend your names from misuse by politicians. Your names are used in vain.
Keri Chater, Williamstown
I'm sure that if the Australian team embraces the Indian culture, as Adam Gilchrist suggests, some of them will get the runs.
Robin Jensen, Castlemaine