One or the other

THE Australian public should not want the Federal Government to offer a plebiscite to decide the fate of same-sex marriage. The Government is not bound to act on a plebiscite — the result is only an indication of what the public wants. A constitutional referendum is needed to bring same-sex marriage into law. Any changes to the Australian Constitution can only be amended by the voters by a referendum not a plebiscite. If the proposed plebiscite shows a majority of Australians want same-sex marriage and the Government agrees to change the Constitution to bring it into law, a referendum would then have to be held. Therefore, economically, have a referendum only, not both.

Fat cats

WHY do we have advisers, managers and department secretaries that earn twice as much as the general manager of South Korea’s Samsung shipyards’ $US150000 — and that’s both state and federal. If the age of entitlement is over then perhaps we need to rein in some wages.

Good and bad debt

MANY contributors to the Letters pages erroneously equate government borrowing with private company borrowing. They are totally different. A private company can only borrow money for specific ventures, with typically at least a 30 per cent return on investment and generally only if that company can show a history of positive cash flow. Our Federal Government is borrowing money to meet recurrent expenditure as the country has done A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website.

Tine for a resolution

A RECENT Galaxy poll showed the Government will potentially lose office if it does not allow a free vote on marriage equality (Letters, June 27). This is indicative of the manner in which this campaign is orchestrated and is intimidating. The Prime Minister, bearing in mind his party has a number of gay members, is to be commended on his stance for a plebiscite. This debacle has been on the agenda for too long but the ultimate decision on the outcome must rest with the Australian voter and not within the walls of parliament.

Tax a winner

WHAT a clever job Turnbull and Morrison have done for crafting a tax on the Australian taxpayer. They knew exactly what they were doing by imposing this tax levy on the banks; they knew very well it would be passed on to bank customers. They get the tax and we blame the banks, perfect.

We have a winner

THE trouble with comparing Boris Johnson and Donald Trump is that there is no comparison. Boris wins hands down.

Values ignored

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was fist pumping in church and once again singing from his favourite song sheet. Not a mention of equality, inclusion or compassion.

Fruit of the same vine

TO eliminate man-made temporary climate change, we’ve got to eliminate evil moral change.