Last Friday, the 1.31pm train from Melbourne could only be described as a sauna. As the temperature outside topped 30 degrees, the air conditioning in two carriages failed. It may seem precious to be complaining about air conditioning, but there was absolutely no air-flow, the train was full and there were a number of elderly people on board - which is what I was most concerned about.

This comes during the peak tourist season. What sort of impression does an experience like last Friday leave on those visiting regional Victoria?

The staff did their best, but it was clear there was no plan or policy for such an event. As the train approached Geelong, we were told a bus would run alongside the train to Warrnambool in an effort to make the journey more comfortable for those in the carriages without air conditioning.

While it was appreciated, I couldn’t help but question the cost to taxpayers of these constant delays, maintenance and coach replacements.

Taxpayers are footing the bill for government incompetence and their failure to effectively manage a business. It’s not the first time I’ve had experiences like this.

On other occasions the toilets have not been working or the train has been replaced by buses with no notice, meaning the four-hour trip to Melbourne is done without access to food and drink.

Every time my son has come home on the train this year, it has been late.

The Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan needs to address the constant issues on the Warrnambool line as a matter of priority to stop the cash hemorrhage.

Roma Britnell, South West Coast MP

In regards to the Susan Ley situation. This incident is all about entitlements. Politicians from both sides of the fence make claims for expenses all the time under the title of "entitlements". And therein is the problem. John Hewson at the time of the Bronwyn Bishop fiasco spoke of how the problem lay in the use of the term entitlement. It conveyed a sense of entitlement to make maximum use of the public purse. When he was leader of the opposition he explained how he declined the use of Commonwealth cars to get from the airport into Canberra and upset many in his party. However he responded why should he use a much more expensive form of transport when he could just use a taxi. He suggested that instead of the word entitlement the Parliament and politicians should use the word "business expense".

If the expense was a legitimate cost of being a politician then it most likely could be claimable, and the Department of Finance could be asked for a ruling.

This problem is just not confined to one party. And both parties have members who have been guilty of rorting the system and it must stop now. Joe Hockey in 2014 said ''the age of entitlement is over, and the age of personal responsibility has begun''. Oh right, it's over for all but the politicians, they who can impose draconian measures on the aged and unemployed from their ivory tower insulated from it all. Maybe now we can look forward to an overhaul of how and under what rules politicians can claim expenses.

Charles Cowell, Wangoom​

The promise to make available $50 million to carry out works on south-west roads plus a comment that this total included works in Geelong and Southern Grampians. When combined with a promise to spend over $40 million lately announced on road works along the Great Ocean Road, will any funds actually be made available to fix roads at sites mentioned or is it just spending the same funds multiple times?

James Judd, Colac