There is a huge accumulation of shoulder-high dry grass and undergrowth that has built up on reserves like Farrer Ridge; I would guess partly as a result of ACT government indolence.

But another strong factor has to be the enormous diminution in the local kangaroo population, thanks to the regular kangaroo massacres marketed as "culls" or euphemistically, as "harvests". As we all know, most of the carcasses finish up buried at the local rubbish tips. Farrer Ridge is now almost totally devoid of any kangaroo population and the result is there for all to see.

But what goes around comes around. We reap as we sow. The kangaroos have a natural built-in reproductive physiology which allows them to slow or stop their normal breeding cycle during lean times. They do not need us humans to help them regulate their population. But we need them; they are the only animals in the reserves that serve to reduce flammable material and thus help break the inferno-cycle, and to prevent the devastation of the city when we face catastrophic fire conditions again.

We are due for our next one. Residents with properties backing onto reserves can be justified in feeling very alarmed.

Mr Albanese followed up his gaffe at the Tasmanian news conference where he couldn't say what the unemployment and Reserve Bank cash rates were by saying he owned up to the error and didn't blame anyone else.

The truth of the matter was that he could not blame anyone else because there was no one else to blame.

The Canberra Times editorial of April 11 ("The 2022 federal election is too close to call" ) was blatant propaganda. Every reference to Morrison was positive; he's confident with a good story to tell.

Albanese, from the left wing of the ALP is accused of rebadging himself as a moderate. Marles wouldn't commit to an arbitrary cap on tax, hence Labor will raise taxes. How will Labor find money to reform aged care and why won't Labor tell voters?

The money wasted by the high-taxing LNP on pork barrelling doesn't get a mention. When is the LNP challenged to explain how their policies will be funded?

If this is the quality of political commentary we can expect it is time I stopped reading The Canberra Times. I will miss Mark Kenny. But I will cancel my subscription.

Mr Albanese showed honesty and esteem by apologising that he did not know the figures asked of him.

When has Mr Morrison ever admitted on the spot to the mistakes he has made?

Mr Morrison meanwhile appears with a brand name can of beer in his hand.

I wonder what the health authorities think of his crass actions as an example to the youth of Australia?

Further to your excellent editorial recommending fixed federal parliamentary terms and resulting fixed caretaker periods ("It's time to have fixed federal terms", April 9, p44), another reason for implementing fixed terms is that it will give business more certainty. In the current situation, business will know sooner if budget measures affecting it that need to be legislated will be proceeded with if there is a change of government. It'll also know sooner, for example, if an ALP government will provide funds to upgrade the AIS Arena and can factor that into their works program.

In policy areas where there will be a distinct change of direction, for example in the area of a Voice to Parliament, the public service will experience less of a hiatus. When I worked in the APS, in one department we set up an "Awaiting the Incoming Government" drawer for proposals that could not proceed because of the caretaker period or the likelihood of a change of policy resulting from a change of government. The long quasi caretaker period experienced currently may hold up significant bodies of work, for example Defence projects, and result in many public servants on stand-by.

In view of the fact that Senator Seselja keeps finding money which was mysteriously hidden in the budget it's clear we need a much longer election campaign. Overnight we had another $11.4 million announced for a revamp of the AIS Arena. Sadly with less than six weeks to go we appear to be running out of time for funding announcements.

If we hold the election in December Tuggeranong may end up with light rail and a proposal to replicate the Hanging Gardens of Babylon on Lake Tuggeranong foreshore.

The only problem with a longer campaign period is the prospect of more Gotcha moments. Mr Albanese, a man with an economics degree, didn't know the unemployment rate. How many Australians know that the definition of employed is working one hour per week. What is the real rate of unemployment in Australia?

Whilst driving along Tuggeranong Parkway I pondered whether I should base my vote on the 797,236 corflutes conveniently placed by Senator Seselja's staffers or whether I should use logic, common sense and factor in the woeful record of the Morrison government. I'm still deciding on that one.

The question is do corflutes have an impact? Obviously political parties and candidates believe they work.

So Zed thinks our votes can be bought for $25 a head. No policies, just tarting up a tired old stadium. Sorry Zed. I want billions of dollars committed to action on climate change, the right to be assisted to die with dignity and integrity in politics.

Pork barrelling corrupts our democracy. Little bits and pieces of infrastructure scattered across the country to win votes does not equal any kind of vision for the future nor competent economic management.

I want to express my dismay at the announcement that the ACT government plans for even more e-scooters across the territory.

These scooters currently litter the sidewalks and bicycle lanes all around the city and surrounding suburbs, and nobody seems to be responsible for cleaning these up or moving them.

It would be one thing if they were easy to move but they are remarkably heavy and awkward to lift.

Then there are the safety concerns.

Riders are rarely seen with a helmet for fear of lice.

There don't appear to be any bells to alert pedestrians or cyclists of their passing.

Before we introduce hundreds more of these irksome and cumbersome vehicles perhaps these flaws should be rectified.

Additional responsibilities could be placed on the operators such as creating parking stations or lots to reduce clutter in our central district.

While I appreciate the value people get out of these devices I think a lot more work needs to be done on the design and delivery before we clutter the territory even further.

It bothers me that I have heard more than a few people remark, "Oh, I'll vote for Morrison - he did OK handling the pandemic, bush fires and so on. Tough jobs."

No serious consideration was evident of how competent the government really is. Just read Crispin Hull ("Coalition's 'strengths' overblown", canberratimes.com.au, April 12).

Here's my how-to-vote guide.

The likelihood of a hung parliament outcome seems high.

The election will yield (minority?) government by a major party anointed according to seats won in the House of Representatives and alliances struck with "teal" independents. This is the important outcome of the reps vote. Votes for minor parties and independents in the reps are therefore probably largely wasted.

A reps vote should be based primarily on the characters of the major parties, including coalition partners. Other considerations are the characters of party leaders (who could be changed by the parties at any time) and those of their local candidates (who will very likely vote in the house as their party dictates).

Senate considerations are different. There, the balance of power will rest with the crossbench.

Party candidates will probably vote as their parties dictate whereas individual independents (notwithstanding that each might be registered as a party) are just that - independent. Characters of parties and all Senate candidates, indicated by past behaviour, are the guide.

So the tone of the election has been set on day one by the "howling gaffe" by Anthony Albanese. For once I applaud John Howard who, when asked by the media what he thought about Albanese's error, said "So what?"

It is simply unbelievable Mr Albanese did not know the current unemployment rate. Where has this man been for the last month or so? The PM has been telling everyone in the nation what it is, every day in the media and in Parliament, right across the desk from him.

It's natural to forget numbers and names but let's hope Albo doesn't think he's running for office in Austria.

So now we all know that the official cash rate is 0.1 per cent; but who actually knows what that number means and who, if anyone, actually borrows or lends at that rate?

Is it worthwhile for anyone to remember the unemployment rate which is widely believed to be fudged?

By being unable to answer two questions Albanese has made the public aware of his lack of knowledge about the economy; not what one would expect from an alternative PM. Divine intervention will be needed should he succeed .

Why should the taxpayers be funding the payment to Rachelle Miller that has been linked to allegations of abuse made against Alan Tudge?

On Monday I was at the AIS vaccine hub having just had my COVID booster. The place was empty. I urge all those eligible, including children who are now on school holidays, to present for this important vaccine without delay. Case numbers in the ACT are unsatisfactory.

High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, excused India's refusal to condemn Russia as a mere difference of opinion. Anyone who can equate murdering civilians with "supporting different football teams" has no place representing Australia.

The election has barely been officially called and already senate candidates' corflutes are sprouting in Tuggeranong like mushrooms after rain. One candidate in particular - the incumbent with the initials ZS - seems to have at least 10 times the number of his competitors, suggesting he is worried about his re-election chances.

The sight of Morrison's female colleagues lining up to deny he's a bully reminds me of the old army sergeant-major joke: "I want three volunteers - you, you and you."