Tony Abbott will never learn. His harsh and inhumane policies on refugees, young people, the unemployed and so on have already (and deservedly) earned him acute unpopularity. Now he appoints his henchman Morrison to apply his blowtorch to all social welfare recipients. One thing he can be sure of – he heads a one-term government. The untrustworthy Bill Shorten, of all people, is destined to become our next prime minister by absolute default. Having once been NSW and federal president of the Liberal Party I have to say shame on you Abbott, Morrison and Hockey. You three may get your just desserts. But in the process you will have dumped on the entire Liberal Party community. John Valder Bayview Would it be too outrageous to appoint a disabled person as minister in charge of social services? Such a person would be able to bring a level of understanding and insight to the responsibilities of looking after the welfare and interests of the disabled.

James Prior Sylvania Waters Your numerous correspondents concerned that minister Morrison's elevation to social services will result in an increasingly brutal regime will never know. One assumes that he will apply the principle of "no discussion of on-dole matters" for "operational reasons". Nick Hendel Roseville Unlike the naysayers, I would suggest that Kevin Andrews for defence, is an inspired choice. All those $200 relationship counselling vouchers that went begging from his previous posting could be put to good use. Imagine a mailout to all the world's trouble spots. Long-time combatants sitting down and discussing the old days, and all that they really still had in common. Another example of, and I use the term advisedly, Australia punching above its weight. Rod Hughes Epping

Great to see the government cracking down on the welfare bludgers. What about the corporate bludgers? The companies that earn billions and pay merely thousands in tax? Too tough or too risky? Matt Luxford Wamberal Appalling priorities Following the failure of its budget it seems the Abbott government has found a new way of attacking those well-known, privileged leaners the poor and distressed by quietly removing funds to support groups ("Social Services scraps funding for homeless and housing groups", December 23). Meanwhile, the $244 million chaplains in schools program will continue to receive federal funding despite the High Court's invalidation of same and private religious teaching institutions will be able to share in the $820 million taxpayer largesse available under the government's proposed higher education reforms. Followers of faith ought to be appalled at the hypocrisy. Jon Stirzaker Latham (ACT)

Savings will be what matters to Morrison I notice there has been a significant change to the way in which Tony Abbott refers to the repeal of the carbon tax ("Bishop defends Abbott's claim the best thing he's done for women is scrapping carbon tax", December 23). Each time he has previously referred to the matter, he has stated that the repeal will provide "every household" with savings of $550. This has now become "…a $550 a year benefit for the average family". Living alone, I cannot claim "average family" status, but the Prime Minister's new phraseology does explain why the only "benefit" I am likely to receive is the $156 that Energy Australia (my sole energy provider) have advised me I will save as a consequence of the carbon tax repeal. Laurel Francis Heathcote The letters page on Tuesday was interesting. Scott Morrison is already being judged on his performance in his future portfolio, with comments varying from thoughtful to inane. Tony Abbott is still being ridiculed for suggesting that women might do the ironing and there is the continuing thought that increasing the number of women in cabinet would miraculously improve the government. I do sympathise with those whose electricity bills have increased or not decreased by much. Our last bill was far lower than it has been for years. And I vote conservative anyway. Happy Christmas.

David Morrison Springwood Surely that Tony Abbott's biggest achievement for women is reducing their families'y's electricity bills is something his supporters and critics can agree on? Gordon Drennan Burton (SA) Resignation no gift for Premier Baird John Robertson's resignation is not really the Christmas present Mike Baird was looking for ("NSW opposition Leader John Robertson resigns", smh.com.au, December 23). It's a bit like the scented handkerchief and three bars of soap from Grandma to a 10-year-old grandson - all recycled, of course.

Janet Abraham Coal Point Punk repertoire handy for MP Give me someone who's an ex-punk rocker, aviatrix, and farmer any day – it beats another lawyer in a sharp suit with a suitcase full of weasel words or a faceless union crony ("Ley was a punk rocker but now she is the PM's healthy choice", December 23). Who knows, perhaps she hums Anarchy in the UK,Teenage Lobotomy, and I wanna be sedated during parliamentary orations by Albo. Eric Viana Denistone Looking at Sussan Ley's background, I am struggling to find the anti-establishment thread that ran through true punks of the era. Born in Nigeria, grew up in the United Arab Emirates, sent to an English boarding school, did stints in conservative Joh-heartland Toowoomba and then Canberra. If coloured hair is all that qualified her as a punk, I am swapping the foot spa and getting my nana a Ramones T-shirt for Christmas.

Paul Taylor Murwillumbah Who ruled Sunday is not a day of rest? Australian business is attempting to make a significant social change ("Unions warn workers could lose penalty rates in review", December 23). Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer Kate Carnell✓ wants Sunday penalty rates to be similar to Saturday rates. "We think there should be penalty rates but Sundays should be in line with Saturdays," she said. "Sunday is no longer the day of rest. It's a day we go shopping just as we do on Saturdays." Who decided Sunday is no longer a day of rest? Does Carnell think that all we do in our free time is shop? Business is pressing for people to work all public holidays except Christmas. It has consistently put profits before people, degrading time for families and relationships. Our values have gone out of kilter. Working is not the most important thing we do, relationships are, families are. Time to be human with other humans.

David Ashton Katoomba Drug rehab essential Stephen Odgers raises some good points about the problems of illegal drugs in our society ("Drug control needs radical rethink", December 23). Unfortunately, he only uses one paragraph to mention the need to provide rehab/drug treatment facilities for those who are drug addicted. Given the addictiveness of ice and its widespread use in country and city areas, unless we provide more locally established rehabilitation centres for people with drug problems, we have little chance of of reducing the terrible cost to society that illegal drugs create. Rehab/drug treatment facilities must be as accessible as any other medical care. This should be as much a part of our new flashy state infrastructure as light rail, new roads and tunnels. For all the state income due to the housing boom, there is no excuse, but unfortunately drug treatment centres seem to be off the radar for our politicians. What a pity.

Virginia Hastings Thirroul Burying the railways Part of the Sydney-Newcastle rail line is to be demolished ("Fight is on to stop closure of train line into Newcastle", December 23). If the people of Newcastle don't want this, why don't the unions place a ban on it? Demolition on Boxing Day looks like a very grubby move from a cynical state government. Peter West Bondi Junction The yes/no campaigns over the Newcastle train line closure have been around for years. There is a simple solution: bury the line, retain trains to central Newcastle, regain the city connection to the waterfront, and sell the land over the tracks for new buildings.

Howard Tanner Queens Park A bouquet for Sydney On Monday I travelled from the Gold Coast to Sydney for a Christmas break. Since the day of the terrible tragedy in Martin Place, I have had an overwhelming desire to place flowers at the shrine that has sprung up there and did so on Monday night. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones but, through flowers, I also wanted to make a statement on behalf of my non-Sydney family: that no matter what evil and madness in the world, we will not accept it, we will not let it consume us, and people who use religion or cultural and political differences to try to change our views and way of life can get out of my way. Georgie Brown Main beach (Qld) Hats off to Mike Baird in his dealing with the aftermath of the Martin Place tragedy. Like most Australians, my heart bleeds for the two heroes who gave their lives to save others. They should be given posthumous awards for bravery.

Mainak Gupta Croydon Park Laws are no obstacle Seven innocents were massacred in Cairns. That is precisely the same number killed in the Milperra massacre, the Hoddle Street massacre and the Strathfield massacre. All of these resulted in the usual activists demanding more gun laws. The difference is the Cairns massacre, arguably more tragic than any of them, involved a knife. So will we be hearing calls for a ban on knives? Of course not. To do so would highlight the absurdity of expecting laws to have an impact on people who would ignore them anyway. Whether its it's using a gun or a knife, a balcony or drugs, murderers will still murder and imposing endless laws on other law-abiding citizens won't have any affect effect on those who will ignore the most basic of laws.

Daniel Lewis Rushcutters Bay Best to Peter Greste Peter Greste, after a week of gentle solidarity in this town, your words about the importance of freedom help us recognise the goodness, optimism and courage we find among each other in times of sadness and political adversity ("Greetings from a cell in Cairo", December 23). Let's hope you are home with us soon. Jo-Ann Brown Eastwood The Vatican's critic

It's amazing to see the Pope speaking honestly about his Vatican colleagues ("Pope says Vatican administration is sick with power and greed", December 23). The person with the most dangerous job in Rome at the moment is whoever has to taste his meals for him. Tim Wilson Lapstone Children bring cheer Oh, Paul Cunningham, or should I say Ebenezer, is the Christmas season just too much for you? The merry sound of children laughing driving you to distraction? The traffic on the northern beaches clogged with frolicking families seeking festive cheer? Accept a visit from the ghost of Christmas Future, and glimpse a time when all those children to come are paying taxes just so your retirement home can put on a cheery Christmas concert for you.

Time to retire the "bah humbug" and celebrate family. Susan Bridge Ermington