I AM completely with Rob Roseworne in my disappointment at the level of compensation he will receive from an environmental disaster that was able to be prevented anytime after 1988. Back then, the Australian Government was aware that this firefighting foam produced by 3M was before the American courts where there were substantiated claims of adverse health affects being argued in the legal system.
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When the 3M lost the case did our government choose to stop bringing this product to Australia? Did the Australian Government have this product rigorously tested before continuing to use this product? Not at all.
From Hawke to the government of today the collective liability is astronomical, but the payout is a pittance. I do not blame the current government; I collectively blame them all for kicking this ball down the park for over 32 years and none with the backbone to accept responsibility.
MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
I call on the Prime Minister to, not with lawyers, but to unilaterally up the direct compensation directly to all affected people as a true statesman - accepting responsibility for collective harm of at least 32 years of government harm to its citizens. Rob Roseworne deserves no less than that.
I have no direct connection to any person caught up in this mess. I just examined this many years ago and campaigned strong for justice for all these people, because that is what caring people do for others.
Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens
Projected savings 'pie in sky'
WHAT a surprise, (Wage bills jump, Herald, 1/6). When our council predicted in 2018 that the move to Newcastle West would save our city $14,000 a year per employee it appeared that was wishful thinking.
That equated to $6.3 million per year and there was no real evidence to support this statement. The theory was that the council employees would be so much more content in their new surroundings that they wouldn't take many sickies.
With a background in human resource management, I had not seen any evidence of this in a company or organisation in the past. It was real "pie in the sky" stuff. No business plan.
So has there been less absenteeism? We may never know, but the predicted savings have not eventuated. Costs have actually increased by $10 million per year, so where is the $6 million saving? Our council has had an office change, name change, logo change. Perhaps it's time for a change in CEO and lord mayor.
Denise Lindus Trummel, Mayfield
Scrapping high speed rail costly
THE report from the Gratton Institute saying that high speed rail should not go ahead was disappointing. Their argument seemed to be based on the cost because of the distances involved.
The costs would be scary and at first their concerns seem reasonable, however, the corridors where the high speed rail line is proposed are busy air corridors.
I understand the air corridor between Sydney and Melbourne is one of the busiest in the world. Such being the case would it be reasonable to assume the patronage would make a high speed train viable?
Some would say the airlines would not be happy about losing patronage to a high speed train. Maybe. However, does anyone know how much fuel is used during these flights along these air corridors, along with corresponding greenhouse gas emissions? How much of an impact do these aeroplanes have on fuel security?
IN OTHER NEWS:
My understanding is the most high speed trains around the world are electric. Such trains would allow us to use homegrown energy. Other concerns from the report suggest time would be lost stopping at stations. Maybe. Stopping at these stations could make these trains more attractive to would-be users who would normally have to drive long distances to catch a plane.
Another argument is that stations would have to be a long way from city centres. Most major airports are a long distance from city centres and if this is an issue then tunnelling may be an option.
While the cost of a high speed train may be very high, scrapping the idea may end up costing more.
Peter Sansom, Kahibah
Cash cow in government herd
WELL is it any wonder that we the residents of the Hunter are played for fools? In the article "Climate of change" (Herald, 26/5) it reveals the career of the new Hunter Water managing director.
When asked about the dividends paid to the NSW Government, the reply, "... our dividend payments have no impact on our prices ..." is absolutely absurd.
It is obvious that if you weren't paying $144.9 million per year to the NSW coffers, the price of water in the Hunter would be less. We are simply another cash cow in the NSW Government's herd.
On another issue, I have tried, without success, to receive a reply regarding Hunter Water's Saving Water program. The issue is that one uses less water to wash a car using a hose than using buckets. Hunter Water however, embarks on programs without putting them to the test.
John Alterator, Lorn
Elderly Aussies deserve better
THE aged care industry is in crisis mainly due to the lack of funding by the Federal Government for training and wages.
Not for profit providers often manage their facilities at a loss and staff work for low wages and conditions whilst still providing the often loving care to the aged and frail within their communities.
Aged Australians deserve, after their years of service to this country by working and paying taxes, a better subsidised aged care system.
Expedite the royal commission and allow the non for profit providers continue caring with better funding for residents and not for private providers whose shareholders often come first
Gerry Mohan, Shoal Bay
NRL having a bet each way
A COUPLE of weeks ago the Herald ran a story on John Thomas the Knight's first grade team manager.
Anyone that has been involved in team sports would understand that the team manager is a most integral part of the team's performance.
Following a directive, as I am to understand, from the National Rugby League, the Knights had no alternative but to ask Mr Thomas to stand aside.
This directive was in keeping with any person over 65 years and the possibility of contracting COVID-19.
If this is the case, and I will stand corrected, why is 70-year-old Wayne Bennett still permitted to continue in his role?
I believe there are two scenarios, either reinstate John Thomas forthwith, or stand down Wayne Bennett immediately.
The National Rugby League can't have two bob each way.
Brian Jack, Aberglasslyn
Share your opinion
Email letters@newcastleherald.com.au or send a text message to 0427 154 176 (include name, suburb). Letters should be fewer than 200 words and Short Takes fewer than 50 words. Correspondence may be edited and reproduced in any form.
SHORT TAKES
HOW ridiculous. The premier says libraries may open. Our council, despite the Newcastle Library staff not having been laid off during the pandemic and being ready to go, decrees that our library is open only by appointment and may not be open to the ratepayers for perhaps a month! Lord, save us from petty officials!
Patrick Wilson, Newcastle East
I WRITE in support of Ann William's assertions in Nurses cannot be replaced (Letters, 25/5). I have experienced 4 hospital admissions for cancer (breast and melanoma). To have had a computer greet me on hospital admission would have been dehumanising and only heightened my anxiety. Thank you Ann for not only speaking up for nurses, but also patients.
Pamela Van der Riet, Lorn
THE Herald talks of $810 million 'refurbishment' of Sydney's ANZ Stadium. Yes, the money is better directed elsewhere, but why is a demolition classed as a refurbishment? My understanding is that the site is 'shovel ready' for a rebuild. The project is also referred to as a 'redevelopment', which is what would happen after a demolition. This demolition was nothing short of costly vandalism, and we are missing one ostensibly good and usable stadium.
Richard Devon, Fishing Point
I WOULD like to point out to Darryl Tuckwell (Letters, 1/6) that, in the unlikely event of the proposed 12-month freeze on pay increases for public servants in NSW, actually being agreed to, it will also apply to our state politicians, including the Premier. I believe that Gladys Berejiklian is acting in good faith relative to this matter and I'm sure many of the recently unemployed are hoping her proposal is successful in Parliament, because they are the ones who are expected to benefit as a result of the potential savings involved.
David Stuart, Merewether
The population of the USA is twelve times bigger than that of Australia. Their death rate from the virus is over 100,000 ours is just over 100. That means per capita ours would be 1200 as against their 100,000. I doubt that the families and friends of the 100,000 dead would say thank God for Mr Trump.
Tony Burns, Berkeley Vale
RE "Riding Towards Better Bike Paths" (Herald, 1/6): Can LMCC build a "missing link" shared path/cycleway from Fassifern to Booragul (just beside, but at a safe distance from, the rail line)? This would then result in a safe dedicated cycleway/walkway from Toronto to Fassifern, onto Booragul, where it would link with existing shared paths to Speers Point and Warners Bay and to under construction paths from Speers Point to Argenton and Glendale.
John Pritchard, Blackalls Park
AS COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted my neighbour raised a good point. We can still only have five visitors at one time to our home, but in Fingal the holiday homes sleep up to 15 people. One close by sleeps 10 and are advertised as such. Surely if I can't have five friends (not that I have 5 friends, mainly associates) visit my home, holiday accommodation should be restricted as well.