I EXPECT some would ask if it is safe to gamble our future on renewable energy solar farms that only work on average a six-hour day, and when favourable winds are present, in a world that works 24 hours a day without rest.
The propaganda put out there has people actually believing that six hours of sunlight and unreliable wind will power everything, plus charge all the batteries needed to keep electric trains, subways, houses, office blocks and heavy industry all running for the other 18 hours at the same time.
The only possible, and sensible conclusion, is to meet this debate halfway with the introduction of nuclear power stations for the heavy industry, and affordable renewable products for part of the domestic market.
The practice of using nuclear energy is nothing new for Australia. We have been successfully processing medical equipment and replenishing spent nuclear rods since 1958 at both Hunters Hill and the Lucas Heights facilities without incident.
To be still stuck in a 20th century time warp, believing nuclear energy is dangerous, is ridiculous, but to expect batteries to do the job of massive power stations is insane.
Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Coalition's wasted opportunity
WHAT I have witnessed this week is the most blatant, calculated attempt by the Federal Government to buy votes to keep their government in power. It is painfully obvious where they think their voter base is.
Almost $690 million to be allocated in $25,000 amounts for home renovations costing between $150,000 and $750,000 for homes valued up to $1.5 million. Owners means tested with singles earning up to $125,000, couples earning not in excess of $200,000. New homes costing up to $750,000.
Not $688 million to be spread around the states for building social housing for thousands of low income families and homeless people on waiting lists.
This is a wasted opportunity which would not only benefit hundreds of jobs for the construction industry, one of the main objects of this stimulus package, but also make great inroads into helping give a hand-up to the less fortunate who have been left behind in this "lucky country" and dare I say, possibly do not vote Liberal.
As usual I guess, to those who have much, much will be given.
Pamela Clark, Newcastle
$1 billion ideological crusade
AT last Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised for the damage caused by Robodebt. Well, he said he "would apologise" and "would regret" as if it were conditional, as if the harm done isn't already abundantly clear.
An illegal $15,000 debt notice was sent to an intellectually disabled epileptic man, which was a 'miscalculated' overestimate by $10,000. A mother was sent a debt demand notice for $6000 allegedly owed by her disability pensioner son six months after he died. The scheme was not only immoral and illegal, it was incompetently and insensitively administered.
THIS WEEK'S LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
- Figures show need for new way of thinking
- New purpose must be found for building
- Embracing first Australians will help us all
- Part of the solution, or part of the problem
-
Hunter can lead way in aged care revamp
Maybe Mr Morrison's apology is because he was the Minister for Social Services when the idea was developed. Or maybe because he was the Treasurer who gleefully announced the details in the budget. Or maybe because he was the Prime Minister who gave responsibility for executing the scheme to one of his closest mates and most staunch supporters, albeit one with a reputation for incompetence.
Whichever, at least it no longer operates and an apology to the victims of the government has been forthcoming.
An apology to the taxpayer is also in order for the $721 million the government has had to pay back, the cost of administering the scheme, and now administering the reimbursements, and all the court costs so far, and the many millions of dollars compensation they might yet be liable for in the forthcoming class action, and those court costs too.
What a waste of at least $1 billion on an ideological crusade with the primary outcome of our government illegally hurting our poorest and most vulnerable citizens.
Michael Jameson, New Lambton
Uncertainty surrounds Port action
THE competition watchdog is taking court action against Port Botany operator NSW Ports for making an agreement with the government in 2013 that penalises container traffic at the Port of Newcastle. But the ACCC is not taking court action against the government because the government announced a decision in 2012 not to develop a container terminal at Newcastle.
The government's contractually binding terms for developing a container terminal prove that what the government has been saying about deciding not to develop a container terminal is incorrect. It explains why the terms were kept secret until they were exposed by the Newcastle Herald in 2016.
A deal between the government and Port of Newcastle Investments ("Seeking terminal velocity", June 12) that results in the ACCC dropping its action, will prevent the government's incorrect statements from being exposed in the Federal Court. But dropping the action will bring on Mayfield Development Corporation's parallel action against NSW Ports, which is almost identical to the ACCC's. Mayfield's action touches all parties.
NSW Ports is 80 per cent owned by industry super funds. By definition, a national interest test applies: what outcome is in the national interest? That remains unclear.
Greg Cameron, Wamboin
Rules in place for everyone
TONY Morley (Letters, 12/6), I think we are discussing two separate issues. You talk about music venues being penalised when new units are built near them and new residents move into these units. I am discussing mixed use long term developments in Newcastle that have by law, appropriate DAs in place to protect both venue and residents.
I don't believe "Johnny-come-latelys" have all the power and should have to move to the country to accommodate those who just want loud live music until early hours of the morning in every venue.
The checks and balances, as mentioned by Tony, are in place and these need to be adhered to by all.
Denise Pollock, Newcastle
Grab a copy before it's gone
A US streaming service has dumped the movie classic "Gone with the Wind" for its 'racist content'.
The film received 10 Oscars and remains the highest grossing movie of all time, adjusting its takings for inflation.
Hattie McDaniel became the first black actress to be nominated for, and win, an Oscar. It was the all-time favourite film of movie buff and critic the late Bill Collins.
It has been in the top ten of the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 American films since the list's inception in 1998.
In 1989, the US Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.
I'm glad I have my DVD copy. Get yours before it's too late.
Peter Dolan, Lambton
SHORT TAKES
I WOULD like to concur with the thoughts and views of former Newcastle Knights winger Ashley Gordon (Herald, 12/6). As a shearer for the biggest part of my working life, working and living in the far west of the NSW, including Brewarrina, I have seen the discrimination against Aboriginal people first hand. For people to say that racism is not an issue in Australia, I say those people choose to be blind to what has and is still happening. I also support his view that the anthem should be changed to include the first inhabitants, and that the song "we are one but we are many" would be ideal with a little tweak to acknowledge the original people of this land.
Fred McInerney, Karuah
"EVERY record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right." - George Orwell, 1984
Alan Hamilton, Hamilton East
REMOVING prominent statues, banning movies and books. And Australia jumps on the bandwagon; a statue in Port Macquarie causing offence, really? I'm just glad we went to Egypt 10 years ago and saw the pyramids. The will be knocked down shortly - after all they were built by slaves.
Geoff Smith, Mount Hutton
IT amazes me that the conservative government seems to only care about Australian's health when it suits them. They didn't appear to be too concerned during the nuclear tests in the 50s, in the 60s when I was old enough to fight in Vietnam, but not old enough to vote; or as recently as the contamination in Williamtown. I went to the protests on the weekend, and I think our politicians are missing the point. Stop the rot that you're pretending to care about us, and start listening.
Ross Greig, New Lambton
OUR council got a $500,000 grant to renovate Nobbys Surf Club and look at the result. Well done council, especially the top two.
Bruce Cook, Adamstown
PLEASE, please stop defunding our ABC. I rely on it for great investigative journalism, (royal commissions) comedy and critical analysis of daily news. Australia relies on our ABC to tell us the truth. Keep up the required funding for this to happen.
Joan Steele, Toronto
WE must stand against the disgraceful treatment of any institution that might, with very good reason, question government policy from time to time. The attacks on the ABC are a threat to our right to hear valid criticism and useful discussion of public policy.
