He cannot have it both ways. Most miners and power station workers are naturally climate sceptics, but they are not stupid. Nor are they fooled by political rhetoric. On the one hand Mr Albanese cannot claim Labor to be "the true party of the bush" whilst planning to destroy bush people's livelihoods in coal mining and coal-fuelled power stations.

If he truly wants to win these people's votes, he must do more than convince them that climate change is real. Labor must offer these people realistic and detailed transition plans to the carbon-free future that Labor envisages. This plan should include such things as solar and wind farms to replace coal mines and coal-fired power stations. It should include plans and incentives to locate high-tech plants that produce the components that these farms will require. Labor should also plan the establishment of local TAFE colleges that provide courses in future renewable energy jobs for redundant coal miners and power station workers.

DOMESTIC violence is rife. Too many women are being killed. It is a very unsafe and dangerous time for women.

We often hear and read about women and children who are experiencing violence and abuse at the hands of men, but who and where are these women?

They are not just out there somewhere but within our families, next door or a few streets away. They are definitely in our suburb. We may not see or hear anything but this does not mean that all is well inside a home.

Perpetrators do what they do when they are alone with their wife, partner and children like in the house, the car or even shopping, but usually when no-one is around or in earshot.

The family is on edge. His rage is to be avoided at all costs but he is clever and works them like a puppeteer. The threat permeates the house like a rotten smell.

These men often have very different public faces. They are pleasant and efficient in the workplace and one of the boys in the sporting world. They are regular good guys in the outside world.

They come from different backgrounds. They can be doctors and lawyers or truckies and labourers. What they have in common is their inability to see women not just as possessions and sex slaves but individuals and equals to be respected and cherished.

MAYFIELD is a suburb that caters to the disadvantaged; the elderly, the disability pensioner, the intellectually delayed, and persons with mental heath issues or drug and alcohol issues. It is my observation that people within this broad socio-demographic rely on local infrastructure to help organise their lives. Pension day, is the day that many of these people receive personalised attention at the Mayfield branch of the Newcastle Permanent Building Society. The Centrelink building is another important venue in Mayfield.

The people of Mayfield will be significantly disadvantaged if the planned closure of the Newcastle Permanent Building Society and the Centrelink office goes ahead. The Mayfield RTA office was closed many years ago. A more recent attempt to close the Mayfield Public Pool failed because of a spirited response from Mayfield residents.

I have lived in Mayfield for over 20 years. It saddens me to see valuable assets that are well utilised by the community, closed and moved to a more inconvenient location. The "voiceless" of Mayfield have to bear the consequences of decisions made for them.

I GREW up in Windale in the 1950s and '60s, and our families were not looked upon too kindly by lots of people. I know for instance two of my sisters used our grandma's home address at Cooks Hill when they first applied for work.

We Windaliens were not good families. Our family did not attend Windale Primary (we were Tykes), but most of our neighbours and friends did attend there. We were just kids and didn't know of the way many people thought of our families. So I am so glad to see Windale Primary School amongst the variety of primary and senior Newcastle schools in the 2020 School Leaders list (Herald, 28/2). Good on you, Windale Primary.

IN view of the prediction of a coronavirus pandemic, perhaps the council can now be persuaded to put soap containers in all public toilets. I have been requesting this measure since July 2019 in calls and letters to no avail, even to the extent of reminding them of Newcastle's water supply being contaminated with the guardia bug 25 years ago. As we are now hosting Surfest with many international visitors, now is the time to act to improve public health.

AS a ratepayer I find it hard to believe the reaction of certain Newcastle councillors concerning a photo taken at last Tuesday's meeting ('Newcastle councillors up in arms over photo', Herald 28/2).

The ratepayers of Stockton, in particular, must be wondering why such a trifling incident could be of such importance when the immediate future of their suburb is in jeopardy. In my opinion it appears that factions within this council consider their profiles more important than the problems of those they represent.

REGARDING the plans to shift Lexie's cafe to the suggested ferry site ('New hope for popular Stockton cafe', Herald 25/2), this is not a practical or good option. The benefit to locals who use the cafe are easy access for mum's with kids, older folks, and drop ins.

Due to difficulties that have been created in Newcastle by lack of parking facilities, the locals cannot access the parking at the ferry. Therefore unless we catch a bus, this site is useless to replace the present user-friendly one, unless its purpose is to provide a coffee option for the city commuters.

There are a number of alternative sites along the river, with some parking. Near the Lions Park or the western area would be suitable.

It would be timely for Newcastle Council to do something positive and practical with this opportunity in Stockton.

IT has been recently reported the colony of flying foxes around this area has diminished ('Wing and a prayer', Newcastle Herald 29/2). You could have fooled me.

SATURDAY'S article regarding Hamilton Marist Brothers principal William Wade ('Guilty secret', Herald 29/2) confirms what most victims of sexual abuse and others have always believed. Concealment of the most heinous crimes is regarded, I feel, nearly equal to the abuse itself. I happened to witness one of Wade's Newcastle court appearances, which was a daunting experience to say the least. Congratulations again to Senior Sergeant Kristie Faber and her team for the incredible work that they continue to do, and to journalist Joanne McCarthy for her consistency in highlighting and reporting these horrendous acts.

WELL done, Jets and Knights. Fantastic to see two Newcastle teams win on the same day ('Striking gold', Herald 2/3). Made my weekend.

THE best news ever: melanoma drug Opdivo, normally $10,000 a course, is now available for as little as $6 after it was expanded on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. As a survivor of melanoma but always fighting this national scourge, this is great news and most welcome.

REGARDING Aaron Buman's suggestion that Labor present legislation to allow offshore sand dredging to fix Stockton Beach (Letters, 29/2), no need. The legislation does not need to be changed. As the Deputy Premier has laid out ('Offshore dredging a step closer', Herald 29/2), there is a way forward.

AFTER admitting to underpaying staff ('Woowlworths underpaid staff by up to $300m', Herald 30/10) I believe Woolies are making the most of their customers by selling them $2 ICC World Cup commemorating coins for $3. I had one in my pocket so asked cashier to count it as $3 and was told it's only worth $2. Profiteering at its best.

REGARDING Monday's story on seafood ('Ethics of eating fish', Herald, 2/3). Until the morality of wealth inequality and the crushing poverty it produces, even in 'developed' countries, is adequately addressed, I think the ethics of whether a fish's pain at getting caught is greater than the hunger pains of the human who would eat it is a matter of little importance.

PETER O'Neill (Letters, 28/2), I have never watched Married at First Sight but the TV ads are enough for me to agree. I think producers of MAFS and similar peep" shows should be condemned for creating scenarios depicting tense, confrontational and abusive behaviour between couples. With domestic violence and mental illness at such high levels, it beggars belief that this is the most popular show on TV. Long live ABC TV.