IT was good to see Carl Stevenson sticking up for residents of the CBD (Letters, 10/3). He says "Newcastle's inner city entertainment has had its day, and like most things in life it's now time to move on to more suitable places." But Mr Stevenson, if you look at a map, you will see all roads lead to the city. There is a reason for this.
The city is the centre of many things, including entertainment. When Sydney Council was conducting its war on Kings Cross, it surveyed local residents and was miffed to find that only 16 per cent wanted fewer clubs and pubs. This was ignored, of course, but could it be that most people moving into an entertainment precinct actually like being close to the action, and do so with their eyes open? As for a "more suitable place", I imagine Mr Stevenson does not mean Dora Creek.
Michael Gormly, Islington
Trial is best way to disprove terror
ACCORDING to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians ("Doctors step up lockout warning", Herald, 8/3), there is "robust evidence" that increasing venues' trading hours will lead to more violence.
But what exactly is this evidence of which they speak? It seems to me that throughout countless documents over several years, the only "evidence" that the supposed experts present in favour of the lockout laws is that, in their opinion, things may revert to the way things were if the laws were removed.
Not only is an opinion not just automatically a fact, but such a notion relies very heavily on the theoretical. There are many "what if" scenarios put forth by those championing the lockout laws, seemingly based on nothing more than looking back at the conditions in Newcastle before the lockout laws were introduced a whole 13 years ago. So far though, none of their theories have actually been put into practice. As CEO of the City of Newcastle Jeremy Bath said ("Review only way to measure lockout impact", 14/1): "A trial that incrementally removes local lockout conditions will give us the evidence to put this debate to bed, once and for all."
Adz Carter, Newcastle
Lack of action creates a vacuum
THE criminal case against Christian Porter is non-existent. What remains active is whether Mr Porter is fit to remain as Australia's first law officer in the eyes of the voters. The alleged historic rape accusation against him has given oxygen to a range of alleged indiscretions by him. Four Corners has reported that then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had discussions with Mr Porter over the latter allegedly acting inappropriately with a young woman at a Canberra bar.
I believe Scott Morrison declaring Porter has become a victim of a media campaign, or arguing that the rule of law is under threat from "mob rule" is pollywaffle. I believe this saga indicates Australian politics have become more toxic due in great measure to a leadership vacuum. Mr Morrison's almost grovelling endorsement of President Trump's whacky policies resulted in Morrison receiving an American military award. Hopefully Morrison will follow the lead of the current US President Joe Biden who said: "I am not joking when I say: if you work for me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, or talk down to someone, I will fire you on the spot. No ifs, and, or buts".
Now that's leadership.
Barry Swan, Balgownie
Women have enriched the church
IN response to Julie Robinson (Letters, 9/3) I assure her that I support her wholeheartedly. I also answer her that I know many other men who have spoken out and are still speaking out calling on men and boys to declare the vital importance of respecting women to the extent of ruling out completely any form of violence; physical, mental, emotional.
Society still has a long way to go before women can feel safe; both at home and abroad, day and night, before they have equal opportunities to attain any job and to receive equal pay with men for equal work.
The Anglican Church now ordains women to the office of deacon, priest and bishop. Women; both lay and ordained, have enriched the church and community with their ministry. But with the recent appalling revelations of women suffering violence at the hands of men, I call for a degree of empathy which is lacking to an unacceptable extent in our political leadership.
The Reverend Dr George Garnsey, Morpeth
Weigh all costs of nuclear options
TEN years ago this week the world held its breath, crossed its fingers and learnt a new word. Fukushima went from being the name of a provincial Japanese city to global shorthand for a costly, contaminating and continuing nuclear disaster.
Japanese and international nuclear authorities have confirmed it will take at least three more decades to stabilise radioactive and waste issues at the site, including the pressing issue of how to manage the large volumes of contaminated water that are growing daily. The lessons of Fukushima are directly relevant to Australia as a small group of federal politicians once more puts enthusiasm ahead of evidence and spruiks the nuclear option. The current push for domestic nuclear power promotes the promises of the nuclear industry but ignores its high-cost, high-risk reality. In October 2011 the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's nuclear bureau confirmed that Australian uranium was fuelling the Fukushima complex at the time of the disaster. On this 10th anniversary we need a credible examination of the costs and consequences of Australia's uranium trade and we need all Australian politicians to accept that our shared energy future is renewable, not radioactive.
Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation
One standard for the rule of law
AUSTRALIANS are up in arms over the abhorrent going on in Parliament House and its staff. Who is the victim, who are the villains? Christian Porter cries out for the rule of law to work in his favour regarding innocent until proven guilty. I can understand his view. I cannot comprehend how thousands of Australians cried out for the rule of law to work in their favour regarding the Robodebt fiasco, which proved illegal in that they were branded guilty until proven innocent. I believe Christian Porter and the government knew this was the wrong way to go even when they carried on with it. How many deaths from people taking their own lives does it take to acknowledge this travesty of justice. Sleep well knowing our leaders are doing everything in their power to uncover the truth. Justice is said to be blind, but I'm sure she's not deaf. Speak out for victims, loudly.
John Undery, Kotara South
A royal waste of public attention
SO two million people watched the Harry interview ('Queen breaks silence on interview', Herald 11/3). That means 23 million Australians didn't. Let's get on with the important issues.
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
SHORT TAKES
LUKE Willets (Short Takes, 9/3), spot on the money. Police found insufficient evidence to investigate, therefore saving public money ('Porter 'innocent under our law': PM', Newcastle Herald 11/3). We all know the political arena has no problem wasting public money.
Gary Hayward, Cardiff
IS it the new normal for a Conservative pollie to simply disappear when they're under the pump? John Barillaro disappeared for a month and now Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter won't be attending parliament for weeks until things cool down. Who'll be next we wonder?
Mac Maguire, Charlestown
MY short take (Short Takes 8/3) is written purely on what Ian Thomas's letter stated and that JobKeeper was $1100 per week. I comment on what I read in an impartial and unbiased way. I truly hope my Short Takes do fuel anger, which is then converted to positive motivation. Otherwise I'll be texting in to the Herald for a very long time.
Bryn Roberts, New Lambton
IT appears to me Meghan Markle seems to be setting out to destroy the Royal Family ('Meghan, Harry explain royal rift', Herald 9/3). I think she's bitten off more than she can chew.
David Davies, Blackalls Park
BRIAN Markson, politicians' tenure in power is not long enough. They refuse to make decisions on controversial subjects as they know that in a short time the decision will come back to bite them. Think about some subjects i.e. national service reinstatement. If pollies were in for a lifetime position they may make decisions of consequence and not be afraid of the time of next election.
John Bradford, Beresfield
LORD mayor, I hope no surfers who have contracted COVID-19 get through for the World Surf League event in Newcastle next month ('Surfer catches coronavirus', Herald 9/3). If they do, I believe it's on your shoulders.
Bruce Cook, Adamstown
FINALLY Michael Hinchey (Letters, 9/3) seems to have seen the error of his ways and provides more hilarity, this time in the form of exaggeration. Never have I mentioned renewable energy, the Greens and I don't know who the "various others " are. I also never referred to "legions" of left-wing cronies but he appears to have picked up another in Chris Connors (Letters, 9/3) who apparently believes in the same adage that "if you aren't as alarmed as me then you must be a denier". The term I used in reference to the IPA is climate change realism.
Greg Hunt, Newcastle West
NOW we know why development applications take so long in Newcastle East: Supercars may have to approve them.
