Clubs NSW remains exempt from the NSW laws prohibiting political donations from the gambling, alcohol, tobacco and developer industries.

My second reservation is the blind reliance on so-called technological fixes such as preloaded government-issued gambling cards to resolve the fundamental problem of electronic devices. Pokies are deliberately designed to mesmerise and addict the most vulnerable and susceptible users and ensure guaranteed losses.

Desperate people find desperate ways to feed their industry-induced addictions. The existing scheme of self-exclusions supervised by the venues has recently been shown to be an abject failure.

We must reject the dominant narrative that blames the victims of gambling dependency and focus instead on the morality of those who substantially, directly and indirectly profit from the abject misery and suffering of many others including partners and families. Simple proven measures exist that can minimise harms including slowing the machines down, setting modest betting limits and, much stronger and effective compliance activities by more government inspectors. It's a sure bet that will require an unprecedented level of real political leadership and bravery.

SAD, sad news about the Newcastle Jets and coaching staff jumping ship at this point in time. The writing is clearly on the wall again that the lack of financial clout leaves the Jets in an awful position yet again. The CEO can say what he likes, but the poor fans are sick and tired of being a laughing stock year after year.

I believe the FFA couldn't care less. The clubs now run the show and the bad old days of the big Sydney and Melbourne clubs taking control of everything are clearly on the way back. If you are one of the poorer relations, you sink.

How on earth is the A League going to stay afloat competing against the might of the AFL and NRL during winter? There clearly is no club in the league with the expertise to promote, administer, provide merchandising opportunities, player development and all other requirements to compete with the other football codes. Foxtel wants to walk away. Other media coverage is already scant compared to competing codes. No free to air TV network will take the A League on. The future appears dire to say the least.

Newcastle Jets need to give the faithful something extremely concrete to believe in. Next time the Newcastle national flagship football team folds, it will be the last time. Gone forever.

A sad and awful outlook for our region and its enormous base of juniors and amateurs.

ANDREW Hirst makes good reading regarding the need of base load power supply and will receive return fire from renewable warriors with numbers and answers disputing his reasoning.

From time to time, letters are published disputing that renewable energy from sun and wind work on average six hours a day, claiming instances of up to 70 per cent of power coming from renewable energy. The problem is not so much with the availability, but the reliability of power supply for not just base load, but all power supply.

If a guarantee of six hours or even 12 hours a day was possible, steps could be taken to cover the other hours, but what about when days of no sunshine or wind happen for days on end power stations need to provide 100 per cent of all power?

Because of this, whether power stations are to be used full-time or only part-time, their need for existence and capacity is a necessity. Unless steps are taken now, because our power stations are ageing, we could be left without power for the time it takes to build new power stations.

One can only hope this letter proves to the renewable crusaders that although 100 per cent renewable energy may be possible one day, the unreliability of weather means the need of something more reliable is available that also can provide 100 per cent of all power supply, whether we can afford both is the question that must be answered.

FIRST it was barley and beef exports, then wine, now coal. The Chinese government has advised its large coal powered power stations not to import any more coal from Australia; this will reduce our coal exports dramatically.

This might give the Greens and environmentalists a warm and cosy feeling, but it is going to increase our unemployment within Australia, not to mention all the supporting infrastructure industries. So how do we reward China for their thoughtfulness and unwavering support towards our economy? Shall we take it lying down or return the favours? Over the years they have cut out their pound of flesh, now they wish to consume us. We are the gullible ones, we are too lenient.

NIB, please explain to long-term members the astounding loss of services occurring currently within our fund.

You have closed the offices at Tuggerah and Kotara and you are closing the office at Charlestown ('NIB to close retail outlets', Herald 13/8). It is my understanding that you have also prohibited staff, at any office which is still open, from processing the legitimate claims of members.

Instead I am told your staff have been instructed to direct members to submit claims online, via the app or to use a claim form.

I think the appallingly ignorant assumption is that all members have electronic access and the capabilities of navigating your electronic access.

The claims forwarded by your preferred mode are already buried in paperwork at your end and some online applications are still pending after having been received over a month ago. Likely great for the NIB money box, but pathetic in my opinion for those expecting timely support from their meagre, health fund refund.

NIB has a proud customer focus history, forged in the industries of Newcastle. I believe the current business model of NIB is a mere shadow of its former self. No wonder it is now listed as one of the worst, underperforming health funds in Australia in terms of member returns.

Shame on NIB. Your current reduction of services along with your October member rates rise needs a far more detailed explanation than "these changes are driven by COVID."

Is NIB is using the cover of COVID to move to a predominantly online health fund to maximise the financial bottom line at the expense of member accessibility?

TIME to do your research Dave McTaggart (Short Takes, 15/10). Cultural burning or patch burning, indigenous grasses for flour and native pasture for stock, water management on inland rivers. Time to listen to those who have survived here the longest.

THE answer to Ray Dinneen (Short Takes, 16/10) is simple. It's the current philosophy of: I'll do as I like, when, where and how I like and if you don't like it, tough luck. Ie. my "rights" and don't whinge.

AN excellent letter by Mati Morel (Letters, 16/10) makes a very useful comparison, except it is worse as commitments to do the section of the bypass between Jesmond and Garden Suburb pre-date my arrival in Newcastle in 1980. As to commitments to do the job, there have been many made in my hearing by almost all state leaders of both sides of the political divide since 1980, including some federal promises as well. The whole of the bypass planning began in 1935, which makes the comparison worse again. We do not need promises, we need the complete project built all the way through the gap in the bypass between Garden Suburb and Jesmond, not just halfway to McCaffrey Drive. No half a job please.

CRAIG Bellamy states that Cameron Smith doesn't need the accolades or fanfare on speculation of an impending retirement. I couldn't agree more. With premierships stripped from Melbourne for salary cap cheating, and Smith also having accumulated tries and goals in those sides which now stand as part of records, I believe his is a career that will always be tarnished. I think I have to on this occasion agree wholeheartedly with Craig Bellamy.

ROBERT Tacon, in my opinion Knights supporters who bag the mighty Knights are not really a supporter, just fair weather friends. Or, to use the politically correct term, they are trolls.

TAXPAYERS' hard earned money is sent overseas to make trains, trams, and ferries which could have been built here in Newcastle. Frontline workers who actually do the hard work of dealing with the current pandemic are dudded of a pay rise, and there's ridiculous and wasteful rail truncation. Who cares who Gladys Berejiklian had it off with, or if pillows could talk.

DOES anyone have any idea what is happening with the council's King Street parking station? It has been closed since late March and does not look like any work has or is being done there. It's very hard to find a park in town now for appointments.