AND ANOTHER THING

The economy

WHAT a brave new world we live in. Wayne Swan cuts government handouts and Tony Abbott says this is a bad thing ("Gillard's juggling act", The Age, 30/11).

John Galt, Frankston

A LABOR government may actually be set to deliver a surplus next year! All it took was a monstrous-sized carbon tax. Congratulations, Julia Gillard.

Philip Rothschild, Caulfield North

MR SWAN, I would respect your management more if you weren't so fixated on being able to pen a number in the black by year X, even if this means damaging a weakened economy.

David Williams, Ivanhoe

I'M STILL looking for the cuts to MPs' rorts such as generous superannuation, lifetime gold travel pass, allowances, etc.

Lindsay Cooper, Brighton East

Transport

SO, APRIL Baragwanath lost her myki credit after 90 days of inactivity (Letters, 29/11)? On a recent visit to London, I used my Oyster card after almost four years of inactivity.

David Muggleton, Mornington

IF CYCLISTS want overtaking motorists to give them a metre's clearance, they could start by using the taxpayer-funded cycle paths that run alongside many roads.

Tony O'Brien, South Melbourne

SILLY me, I thought the raised tram stops were to enable the disabled easier access to trams. And cyclists giving way to pedestrians? Now there's a novel idea.

Megan Peniston-Bird, Hawthorn

Other matters

SHOULD loss of memory be named the Murdoch Syndrome?

Robert Graham, Yarragon

WHY don't parents band together and just say "no" to schoolies week?

Jan Rudelbach, Dingley Village

THE tackiest item on sale this Christmas season? The winner must be the AFL team Advent calendars.

Peter Hepburn, Claremont, Tas