FEW cities are blessed with both a several kilometre waterfront along a working harbour and the corresponding walkways and parklands to make it all so accessible. Why does Newcastle not make this their major attraction to attract visitors and tourists?
It would seem the city is remiss in not capitalising on its unique asset. The obvious event that should be held annually is a grand regatta. Such is the scope and attraction of these events, they require much more than a day or two. I think the Easter four-day public holiday is the logical time. That period is famed for great weather in this part of the world. With such a large population in the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney it would be well supported even without tourism. The publicity would result in it becoming known both nationally and internationally. It might well be called The Royal Newcastle Easter Regatta; the palace would surely be delighted to cooperate.
Regattas are not just marine attractions but include a major festival associated. Newcastle and the Hunter are well able to handle all aspects. I believe Port of Newcastle should be the major sponsor. They could put on a great tugboat race.
Fred Whitaker, Newcastle
No vote of confidence in system
IT is interesting to note the doubling in informal votes due to COVID rules at the recent elections, ("Informal vote 'ridiculous'", Newcastle Herald 6/12). Unfortunately, it was not helped by the electoral commission's refusal to allow how to vote cards to be displayed inside the individual voting booths or the flaws of the iVote platform.
I manned a local booth and was surprised by the number of new voters mainly prompted to go on the register by the November 2017 Marriage Equality vote, a simple yes or no ballot paper.
Previously many had stayed off the register, disinterested in politics and politicians in general. This was the first time they encountered a preferential voting system, let alone two ballot papers.
As a volunteer for a community/business group, Newcastle Partnerships, we had our post informing people regarding the voting process rejected by Facebook's censorship bots three times, deemed election material, even though it had no specific political leanings or recommendation for any party.
It is a pity that many people seem unaware of how the voting process works. It may not have changed any results, and perhaps many Informals were a statement in and of themselves. Let's hope when the federal election rolls around the voter has taken the time to research what is a fundamental human right afforded to Australians and that the electoral commission moves into the 20th century. I know it's the 21st, but let's just go one century at a time when dealing with bureaucracy, shall we?
Kevin Coffey, Cooks Hill
Our republic need not be theirs
SUSAN Ayre, (Short Takes, 8/12), thinks that the American system of government is a "corrupt circus" and she does not want to see Australia follow a similar path. No doubt she will be delighted to learn that the republic proposed for Australia bears it not the slightest resemblance. In fact the system that it most closely resembles is the current Australian system. There are just two small changes: firstly a president would replace the Governor General and would have precisely the same role except that there would be no formal link with the British monarchy. Secondly, the president would be elected by the Parliament and would require substantial support from both government and opposition members to be chosen.
This would be only a very small change from the present system and I can see nothing to fear coming from it.
Ian Roach, New Lambton
Workplace laws to blame for mess
THE recent survey on wage inequality, reduced possibility of home ownership, poverty and what I would call a targeted redistribution of wealth over the last two decades ('Income inequality holds steady', Herald 8/12) happens to coincide with the re-engineering of society by industrial relations and taxation laws introduced and or supported by both major political parties. Casualisation, job insecurity and wage stagnation are current headlines. I cannot see how industrial and taxation laws can be labelled as progressive, modern reforms when they reflect on conditions of the 19th century. This situation only degenerates with attempts to cut red and green tape.
Marvyn Smith, Heddon Greta
Tram jam was something new
SEEING the problems that recently forced the complete halt of the trams in Newcastle to the point where the services had to be suspended until repairs were done started me thinking. I seem to remember when the train was running into Newcastle, train failures were not common. It's true I remember having issues on a few occasions when I was driving the 620 and 660 class railmotors. However, we didn't see any episodes where the entire service had to be shut down because of a certain problem with the trains. So how were the problems with the trams allowed to occur to this extent?
Peter Sansom, Kahibah
Virus variants won't go anywhere
I SOMETIMES wonder if politicians and media people even look up details on COVID-19 and normal Influenza virus. Influenza virus has sub-types, H (haemagglutinin) and N (neuraminidase). Hence H1N1 type A is the common one. There are 18 type H and 11 type N and all combinations possible. Why then, does a new strain of COVID-19 cause so much panic? Dozens, or maybe hundreds, of variations of COVID-19 will occur over the coming years. Every year the normal flu vaccine has four, sometimes five new strains incorporated in the vaccine. Sometimes normal flu vaccines are only 30 to 40 per cent effective. We have a COVID vaccine that is over 90 per cent effective in keeping people out of hospital. Get vaccinated and we can return to normal, if the politicians and the media do not blow up every new strain that will surely come.
John Hollingsworth, Hamilton
Stop reporting COVID numbers
WHEN will media stop the continuing reporting of case numbers, hospitalisation and deaths from COVID?. The NSW Government made it clear that at 95 per cent vaccinated they were no longer interested in reporting on deaths or case numbers, only in hospitalisations. There will continue to be new strains and variants, and it's time for the media to get on board and stop the tedious everyday reporting.
Tony Mansfield, Lambton
Yes, minister, it was my mistake
IN a letter published on this page, ("Community outweighs conscience", Letters, 6/12), I assigned a pejorative phrase used in the NSW Parliament in September, concerning the voluntary assisted dying legislation, to Police Minister David Elliott. I was relying on a news item published in the Sydney Morning Herald on September 26. On referring back, I have found that the phrase was actually reported as being used by another NSW government minister, not Mr Elliott. It is entirely my error and I apologise to Mr Elliott.
John Ure, Mount Hutton
SHORT TAKES
CRICKET for sale! Cricket Australia has announced that the fifth Test will not be played in Perth ('Perth men's Ashes Test set to be shifted', Newcastle Herald 1/12). Now they are calling for tenders from cities interested in hosting the fifth test. Cricket Australia should do the right thing and allow Hobart the privilege as Tasmanians don't often get the chance to attend a top class event such as an Ashes Test. I know the MCG would get more bums on seats but so what? Cricket should be about fair play, not how many dollars they can rake-in.
Stan Keifer, Arakoon
I CAN'T believe Perth's brazen bid to swap tests with Adelaide, in the knowledge that their fifth test hosting rights were already dead in the water; talk about hypocrisy.
David Davies, Blackalls Park
ONCE again, Australia has followed America's lead to offend China. Each time this happens, I believe American exports to China go up to replace banned Australian goods. China responds only weakly to American provocation, because America is too strong. Instead, it punishes the less powerful deputy sheriff, the designated cannon fodder. In my opinion this will keep happening as long as we have a Prime Minister who has no understanding of diplomacy.
Peter Moylan, Glendale
I'M concerned that some sections of the community are taking sea life including crustaceans, shellfish, octopus and small fish from pools at low tide. I witnessed several people collecting sea life with white industrial buckets between Nobbys and the Cowrie Hole. Surely this has to stop otherwise there will be nothing left. I wouldn't be surprised if they then cooked the contents in a hot water jug.
Tony Kearney, Newcastle
NEWCASTLE is a beautiful place; the beaches and Newcastle baths. People with dogs, can you just pick up your dog poo please? It's disgusting.
Bruce Hardy, Mayfield
NO surprise, party houses are being destroyed by schoolies. The owners get what they deserve, in my opinion. Good on the schoolies; fight for your right to party. Too many investors have destroyed places like the bay by evicting long term residents in favour of a bigger return from Airbnb party homes. I believe that is the main reason we have a worker shortage in the bay, that the workers have left because they have no long term accommodation, so I encourage monster parties in Airbnb accommodation.
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
SUSAN Ayre (Short Takes, 8/12): so the Governor General is "only used for ceremonial duties"? Perhaps you are too young to remember the dismissal of the Whitlam government, by the then Governor General John Kerr.
