Julie Bishop's resignation completes the ravage inflicted on the Liberal Party by the ambition of Peter Dutton, the revenge demanded by Tony Abbott and the short-sightedness of their supporters. I hope they are proud of the enormous gift they have provided to Labor.

George McGregor, Malvern

First there was a female prime minister ...

Julie Bishop, in her measured farewell speech to Parliament, said it had been "an immense honour" to be Australia's first female foreign minister. It is a real pity that she could not extend that pride to Julia Gillard when she was our first female prime minister.

Elvira Sammut, Toorak

What role will Bishop seek after she retires?

The symbol of Julie Bishop's white dress – flag of surrender or mourning in China – spoke volumes during her departure speech. She spent 21 years in Federal Parliament, 11 of them as deputy prime minister and five as foreign minister. She will retire in full confidence she did her bit to see the re-election of the Liberal Party in the coming election.

Her 21-year parliamentary legacy has left Australians with larger personal debt, loss of job security, a dirtier environment, two invasions (Afghanistan and Iraq) and a greatly unsettled Middle East. In retirement, will Ms Bishop live the values she espoused – entrepreneurship – and start a thriving business to employ us Australians? Or will she follow suit of many ex-politicians and land a diplomatic post or directorship?

Leon Zembekis, Reservoir

The perfect role: ambassador to the US

Julie Bishop has signalled her intention to resign following a distinguished and honourable career. Scott Morrison now has the opportunity to relieve Australia's biggest leaner, Joe Hockey, from his role as ambassador to the US and replace him with someone who has always acted with dignity and grace. Ms Bishop would be more highly respected in that role, not only in the US but also on the international stage.

Frank Stipic, Mentone

People behind the scenes who support ministers

They say behind every great man there is a successful woman. In Julie Bishop's case, she also has some very smart public servants who worked diligently behind the scenes and who helped her enormously, throughout her career, with complex negotiations and diplomacy. The public never know their names as they do not attract media by wearing nice designer clothes and attending social events for publicity. It is these quiet achievers who make many politicians look smarter than they really are, and more professional, to a global audience.

Pamela Papadopoulos, South Yarra

If only all our leaders were exemplary

The role of foreign minister requires immense patience and respectful diplomacy towards foreign counterparts and nations. He or she has to show leadership and stay calm while de-escalating foreign tensions in pursuit of a co-operative outcome. In my opinion, we have had some very capable foreign ministers, on both sides of politics, who have exhibited these characteristics, I would include Julie Bishop in that cohort.

It would be great if most of the political class could exhibit the characteristics required of a foreign minister. Maybe then we would see inspiration and exemplary behaviour coming out of the highest office in the land, instead of the venomous, self-interested environment that is on show day after day.

Paul Miller, Box Hill South

THE FORUM

Truly great ministers

Leaving aside Julie Bishop's ineffectual, "softly, softly" dealings with the egregious Sri Lanka and Myanmar regimes, her diplomatic and people skills, as seen in her exemplary response to the MH 17 tragedy, deserve recognition.

However, Scott Morrison's praise of her as "a great foreign minister" makes one wonder if he has heard of Dr ("Doc") H.V.Evatt, the Labor minister for external affairs who presided over the adoption of the watershed UN Declaration of Human Rights. Or of Gareth Evans who, as foreign minister, spearheaded the UN Peace Plan for Cambodia, Chemical Weapons Convention and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Jon McMillan, Mount Eliza

Bishop, scandal-free

Such a dignified exit. No stain of self-indulgent travel, no wails that she is vital to good government, no jobs for the girls, no failed pub-test, credit card deals, no debts to anyone. The white dress symbolised it all. Despite leaving her loyal colleagues and supporters, Julie Bishop goes with head high, gleaming red shoes and a reputation which shines – in contrast to many.

Margaret Ady, Avondale Heights

Speak up, speak out

Pope Francis has labelled critics of the Catholic Church as "friends, cousins, relatives of the devil". This type of rhetoric demonstrates the level of intellectual rigour applied to the issues currently facing the church. A meeting of 100 bishops next week to discuss church "policy" on sexual abuse will no doubt put forth similar rhetoric. What is needed to redeem the church is for prominent Catholics to stand up, on pews, in the media, at rallies, to demand change.

Julian Guy, Mount Eliza

Foster, a true champion

By its nature, soccer brings together people from many nations and many cultures. It breaks down the barriers, fosters acceptance of difference and promotes teamwork. If ever our nation needed a good dose of this, it is now. It has taken former Socceroo and television presenter Craig Foster to say what our prime minister will not – not because the sentiment is wrong but because it will not win him an election. Back to basics, please. Good on you, Fossie.

Pam Sandon, Sandhurst

My obligation to pay

John Taylor asks whether we would follow up a missing charge on our credit card statements or keep quiet (Letters, 22/2). Last year I took my family to an upmarket eatery and, when paying the bill by EFTPOS, felt the transaction may not have been processed completely. I checked my online statements for a few days and no charge appeared. I contacted the restaurant and asked if they'd had a shortfall that night. They said yes and it was the same amount as my bill. I returned to the restaurant and paid.

I did not have to as they had no way of tracking me, but I entered into an agreement with them: my money for their food. They supplied their part of the agreement and I met my obligation.

Dale Allen, Emerald

Very different cases

John Taylor is probably correct when he suggests most of us would "keep quiet" about a fairly large purchase that failed to appear on our credit card statement. However, most of us would have made that purchase through the normal channels, rather than going directly to the chief executive of the business.

Jo Bond, South Melbourne

Fairer, but a long wait

Margaret Toyas (Letters, 21/2) is spot on. The waiting times for home care packages under the My Aged Care system are ridiculously long. The system, brought in two years ago, was supposed to make the system fairer. And it did. Now everyone is equally disadvantaged.

More funds need to be provided for the much needed, and expensive, high care packages (the waiting list for the less urgent, low care packages is marginally shorter), and fewer resources directed to wasteful, bureaucratic processes. Whoever designed the tediously long and disjointed assessment tools inflicted on older people and assessors had no regard for those who have to endure them and the professionals who have to administer them. At the end of which, people are told they will have to wait 12 to 18 months.

Terry Kelly, North Fitzroy

So what else is new?

Waiting times are not new. My father, post-World War II, sought help for his depression. Result: none. Ten years after his death, he was accepted. If you can survive long enough, you may be surprised. But don't hold your breath.

Bruce Dudon, Woodend

Right to a fair day's pay

Let us hope the people who will be employed in the new restaurant that will "serve up a new standard" (The Age, 22/2). will receive the correct pay, terms and conditions. Too many of their their colleagues in other high-profile restaurants have not.

Mary Hoffmann, Richmond

A generous 'punishment'

So Andrew Thorburn will leave NAB with a $1million golden handshake (Business, 21/2) when he should have been fined a similar amount. No wonder mere workers and pensioners are cynical and angry at the "system".

Geof Carne, Moonee Ponds

Customers come last

Once a measure of a bank's success was how many branches it opened. Now it is how many they can close. Indicative of their disregard for communities.

Jillian Stevenson, Big Hill

For the greater good

Waste disposal and (even more so) waste creation should be a federal concern. Each of us is directly or indirectly responsible for an increasing amount of indestructible material.

Once, bottles were made of glass and were recycled. Now if I go to the supermarket, unwilling to accept waste other than a recyclable paper bag or box, there is not much I can buy except bread and veggies.

Manufacturers will not stop using plastic which is cheap, effective and prettifies the product. However, when uncontrolled, it has disastrous effects. Government is not only about buying subs and trade agreements. It is about how we live our lives and care for the planet. Government must act in the interest of the greater good.

Georgina Batterham, Richmond

Reaping what we sowed

Over the last few decades, Australia has become greedy with small regard to the future. The government turned its back on the car industry and a substantial part of our manufacturing. It did not keep the banks and financial sector in check, with devastating outcomes. We have become increasingly dependent on mining as a major part of our income. We ignored the wise words of "never put all your eggs in the one basket". Today the Chinese say: "Come in spinner".

Garry Richards, Knoxfield

Suspend weapon sales

Tony Wright's excellent commentary (The Age, 21/2) bemoaning lack of ethics highlights a critical government theme. When elected, the Coalition government replaced the standards of ministerial ethics with a statement of ministerial standards.

This lack of ethics is illustrated by our weapons sales to the Saudis, when they stand accused of war crimes and are leading the blockade of Yemen which has caused the death of more than 85,000 children. Arms sales to Saudi Arabia have been suspended by Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark, and condemned by the UK House of Lords and the US Congress. Australia should suspend sales.

Margaret Beavis, Medical Association for Prevention of War, Carlton

Labor's path to victory

I have some ideas to help Bill Shorten's team prepare its victory speech: "I will govern fairly for all Australians except self-funded retirees and those who are saving for a self-funded retirement. Their activities are un-Australian and must, and will, be stopped by this government".Terry Rankin,

Murrumbeena

Follow Mathias' example

Can I have Alan Joyce's mobile number, please? I need to book a flight.

Stephen Baldwin, Frankston

AND ANOTHER THING

Julie Bishop

Could the last woman to leave the Liberal Party turn off the lights.

Andy Wain, Rosebud

If the Liberals were playing chess, one could say they've lost their Bishop.

Phillip Roberts, Box Hill North

Captain Morrison's crew are jumping ship. It looks like a watery grave.

Margaret Skeen, Point Lonsdale

Party spoiler. Where was Bishop during the "ditch the witch" episode?

Maree Williams, Kew

"The coalition will win the next election"? Hello, Joe, Julie and Helloworld.

Ian Dale, Rosebud

Bishop won't be forgotten as a legal advocate for asbestos companies.

Max Sargent, Thornbury

Naughty Joe may have to give up his Washington sinecure to make way for Julie.

John Walsh, Watsonia

Helloworld

We should all leave poor Mathias alone. The same thing happens to me all the time.

Chris O'Connor, St Kilda

Hallowed-world be thy game, not.

Molly Hanrahan, Maldon

Joe, you "owe" me and 25 million Australians. Please pay up.

Linelle Gibson, Williamstown

I'm just a mug punter, so Mathias can pull the other one. Somebody, give him and Joe another cigar.

Kevin Luxford, Mount Waverley

Bring back Paddington Bear (21/2). Ministers are competing in the "bottom of the harbour race".

Peta Colebatch, Swan Reach

Cormann and Hockey should check their bank statements as there's been an increase in cigar sales.

Les Lambert, Wangaratta

Surely it's time for a royal commission into politicians' rorts.

Richard Morris, Drouin

Furthermore

Dan Andrews could negate the need for tolls if he put speed cameras on the Tulla Freeway.

Kuno Mikkor, Melbourne

Julian Assange can "resolve" the situation he created by coming out of the embassy and facing the law.

Chris Curtis, Hurstbridge

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