It’s about time that major parties should “kiss and make up” so we benefit from legislation for all Australians, instead of wooing minor parties or individual senators.

The single issue independents would not have the power to block legislation, as they do now.  

The Turnbull government wants to rob the poor and give to the rich and misses the point. Where is the money coming from to make tax cuts? How about putting an end to the muliti-billion-dollar Turnbull refugee program which is going to cost taxpayers billions of dollars for years to come.

End that and there will be savings found straight away as it was never funded in any budget. An increase in taxes means an increase in wages and everything else .

I do not wish to take any side in the ongoing CFA dispute or defend any aspects of the recent Fair Work Australia decision regarding some interim decisions in the CFA career firefighters enterprise agreement negotiations.

I would, however, prefer that local member Bill Tilley and The Border Mail get their facts straight.

The CFA agreement is still in the negotiation stage and so there cannot be any agreement on pay increases yet, as quoted by Mr Tilley (The Border Mail, February 16).

The dollar cost difference between a 19 per cent pay increase versus a 19 per cent increase in bonus payments may be quite significant for the longer term bottom line.

Reporting misleading statements by politicians about controversial and divisive issues like this one will not promote reasoned community discussion.

I am disturbed with the inconsiderate decision making of The Border Mail in publishing the graphic photograph of the poor young man being placed by stretcher into an ambulance out the front of a Wodonga school (‘Student injured in school conflict’, The Border Mail, February 14).

Were the feelings of the victim's family members considered? Clearly not. More thought must be placed for our youths and their close ones instead of seeking the most sensationalist images. Our local paper needs to be better than this.

I was impressed with the article by Mick McGlone and the letter by Sumner Berg in Saturday’s Border Mail – they did raise my faith in people.

Other letters also show that the Australian electorate is getting well and truly fed up with the antics of our present crop of politicians who are now copying Donald Trump in denigrating the media.

It would be nice to get rid of extreme right and left and use commonsense in governing this country, but the pollies seem to think they are a species of show ponies who believe in words and barbs more than action. Maybe we should ban all members of the legal profession from entering politics.

On Wednesday I was part of a group of 24 Probus members who had morning tea at the Retro Lane Cafe. What a wonderful spot, the decor was bright and airy with colourful artwork done by the youth of Albury.

The coffee and cake was well made, delicious and beautifully presented by the young workers. Ben gave us an insight into the workings and programs – well done all.