David Elliott has added petrol to the fire with his bully boy commentary about John Barilaro (Cabinet splits as Libs turn on Bara, 14/9). As a strong supporter of the farming community and critic of the cappuccino-sipping cafe elite city greenies, Mr Barilaro does well to highlight the red tape over-reaction of the government to land clearing. Koalas need protection, but they are selective in their gum tree consumption. Mr Elliott’s ridiculous comments calling for people not to bring a knife to a gun fight might be melodrama. But, using a line like “make sure your first punch is a knockout” in another interview rekindled memories of the coward punch epidemic. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 15Sep2020.