WHAT a sorry state of affairs the Federal Government is in.
Conservative voters would be disappointed to learn that the latest poll figures match the Coalition with Labor 50/50 (C-M, Feb 22). 
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's personal popularity is still 2.5 times better than that of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
But an election run along party lines now could result in Shorten being our next prime minister.
The minor players are the Greens, who have recently announced their support for the legalisation of ice, among other wacky ideas. At the same time, Senator Nick Xenophon is seeking new members to grow his party. Then we have Clive Palmer and his PUP, both of which are rapidly slipping into the dark annals of obscurity.
So as a non-aligned voter, may I suggest to Turnbull (pictured) that he is our best chance of making Australia great. He should get a grip on his team, put policies into action, do something impressive, and lead.
Richard K. Tiainen, Holland Park West
HOW must those Liberal ingrates who voted to depose Tony Abbott be feeling now that Newspoll has Labor and the Coalition level-pegging?
Some of them must surely be wishing they had kept Abbott as leader and whatever passes for honour and principle in the political trade.
Terry Birchley, Bundaberg
IT IS astonishing that in five short months, Malcolm Turnbull has achieved the rare distinction of making Bill Shorten almost look good.
Roseanne Schneider, Yeronga
PRACTICALLY no one I have canvassed in recent months thinks Bill Shorten will prevail over the Turnbull Government at this year's federal election.
The latest Newspoll showing the Coalition and Labor are neck and neck on a two-party-preferred basis might give the Opposition a glimmer of hope, but Malcolm Turnbull still prevails over Shorten by a large margin as preferred national leader.
If the ALP hasn't got the message by now that Shorten is electoral poison in the minds of a majority of the electorate, it will not stand a snowball's chance in hell of winning the election.
Eric Palm, Gympie
THE Federal Government should call a double dissolution election as soon as possible so the electorate's misery is not prolonged.
The electorate is dying a death from a thousand cuts and cannot put up with this torture any longer.
We need to get on with our lives with certainty in a politically stable environment.Bruce Strang, Burleigh Waters