PRESENT times are worrying - we are now on high alert, but it is hard not to be cynical given the current state of Australian politics.

For the past three or four years, Mr Abbott and Mr Hockey have been running around the country crying about the "budget emergency", and now that they are in control of the purse strings we find they have doubled the deficit and brought down an unfair and unpopular budget.

Among their big spending decisions is the outlay of $74 million on dubious Royal Commissions.

Former PM John Howard questions the necessity of the Royal Commissions into the home insulation program and the trade unions, saying they smack of "using the law for narrow, targeted political purposes."

Now, while crying poor, Mr Abbott has committed support for our allies in the Middle East to the tune of half a billion dollars for six months at least.

Because of dwindling trust and plummeting polls this Abbott Liberal National government, in the face of a national terror threat, lacks credibility, and people question whether it is all to do with political spin and not genuine.

It is hoped that this doesn't lead to a tragedy because we are not alert to a danger in our midst.

Your editorial (Daily, September 19) is worth repeating: "The heightened security warning, however, should not make us more fearful, but more aware and more measured."

- ROBYN DEANE

Bli Bli