SIMON WALKER: That's Life archive

Renewable energy, a subject close to my heart every day I get out of bed, was on the table again this week.

Tony Abbott seemed to be asking "when is a business not a business?"

Herald letter writer Ariel Marguin quipped, "when it's a renewable energy business". Others suggested when it's a business not reliant on massive taxpayer-funded subsidies. That wasn't the coal business saying that, by the way, or the agriculture business, or car-making.

It was Dick Warburton, the former boss of Caltex and self-proclaimed climate change sceptic, who declared the renewable energy target blown in the wind, if not out of the water, in his RET review.

No insulating yourself from politics on that one, as Peter Garrett discovered.

The former environment minister found himself dragged over the coals with renewed energy at the inquiry into Labor's pink batt fiasco. But it worked, shadow treasurer Mark Dreyfuss claimed, referring to efforts to offset the GFC. Unfortunately four young men died rolling it out.

Renewable energy of another kind came thick and fast at the Health Services Union inquiry. Whistleblower Kathy Jackson accused Labor Party leader Bill Shorten and his allies of being a "corrupt little gang". A bit like saying Dick Warburton is an old fossil . . . fuel enthusiast.

But there was energy of another kind as Ms Jackson revealed she'd slept with the prosecuting barrister 21 years ago. A "charity shag", she claimed as she banged on about skin in the game. Someone certainly got skinned. Most likely union members taken to the cleaners.

There was renewable energy on the weather front.

After the wettest, coldest, windiest August in recent times, spring sprung like a Cat Stevens chorus on September 1, only to revert back to blizzards, hail and beanies the next day.

Renewable energy was a major concern for local clubs as the iconic Adamstown RSL joined the ranks of familiar watering holes setting with the sun into administration. Lest we forget, it seems a club can't sustain on meat raffles and darts alone these days.

Cat and dog haters had the claws out with renewed energy on the Letters page.

On one side of the fence, the doggy people wanted all cats on a curfew after dark, not just HSU bosses. Preferably using a 12-gauge. On the other, cat people were growling about dogs who won't stop barking.

Somewhere in between was regular online wit Hank Williams who wondered when Lake Macquarie Council was going to do something about packs of cougars roaming the streets of Dudley at night. In your dreams Hank, chimed Stagger Lee.

There was renewable energy on the local political scene as various candidates stepped up to convince voters they'll be "independent" at the Newcastle byelection in October.

Former Hunter Business Chamber president Karen Howard could understand why some people would come to the conclusion she's aligned with the Liberals, given she seems to be heavily aligned with the Liberals. But she assured the public "mine will be an honest and lean campaign, uncontaminated by party politics". And if she can pull that one off she just may have a chance.

Lord knows, Newcastle needs renewed energy to keep revitalisation moving forward.

There was renewed energy at the Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church, as the federal government committed another $125 million to the royal commission, taking the bill thus far to nearly half a billion.

Humbling when you consider the role Herald heroine Joanne McCarthy has played in getting the ball rolling.

Many are calling for her to run for mayor, if not Australian of the Year. And who would bet against her?

There was renewed energy at ICAC as former state treasurer Eric Roozendaal revealed his enthusiasm for a container terminal on the old BHP site.

So long as there was a secret easement for a fourth coal loader. When quizzed who would benefit from this provision, he answered "the people of NSW".

When pressed, he conceded Nathan Tinkler, whose company Buildev stood to make quite a windfall. Proving perhaps there is money in wind after all.

There was renewed energy from Gladys Berejiklian, who attempted to talk up day one of the Opal travel pass, assuring all it had been "smooth sailing".

A gem of a comment proving there are some Opals you just can't polish.

There was renewed energy on Iraq, with Tony Abbott committing Australia to the Coalition of the "Here We Go Again".

And I thought ISIS was a great Aussie rock band. Hopefully they don't hit the great Southern Land any time soon.

But the biggest case of renewable energy was found up the back of Wollombi last weekend, where an intrepid bunch of Merewether High students and not-so-youthful parent helpers trekked Bagnalls Creek to complete their bronze Duke of Edinburgh requirements.

Talk about ever ready. Hopefully they apply as much energy to spoiling their old men on Fathers Day.