Ms Holgate has done more to ensure the viability of post offices than any CEO in 30 years. The previous CEO was claiming in senates estimates six years ago that by 2020 the federal government would be funding Australia Post to the tune of $600 milion per annum. The current CEO has been able to reverse that prediction and provide the government with a multi-million dollar dividend. If that turnaround cost four watches, then it's a bargain.

But then, maybe Christine Holgate may have in fact embarrassed the Minister for Communications, the Hon Paul Fletcher, by being more successful than the previous male CEO counterpart contrary to the minister's agenda. As Beresfield licensee, Ms Holgate has my support.

THE report saying the Labor councillors were proposing to write to the council to stop heritage rolling stock from being removed from the former Broadmeadow locomotive depot ('Heritage 'should stay'', Herald 23/10) was of concern. Railways of one form or another have been a part of Newcastle since the 1830s and as I have said before, it surprises me that Newcastle does not have a railway museum.

My concern is that too much heritage in Newcastle has been lost. Our heritage is a visible part of our history. Heritage is what makes history real and this government and the developers don't seem to care. Broad Loco, as we used to call it, was a significant part of transport infrastructure in the region and many people were employed there. Therefore "Broadmeadow Loco" is an important heritage site that should not be lost. The Broadmeadow locomotive depot would be an ideal place for a railway museum. It would be much easier to get to than Chullora or Thirlmere. Such a museum would do more for the local economy than medium-density housing. Why anyone is seriously considering demolishing the locomotive depot is beyond me. It's time we saw some sense from this government.

WE seem to be having an epidemic of dodgy corporate figures and shady politicians. Have you noticed when these people get caught they always drivel on about how honest they are and how hard they have worked for this country that they love? I guess the old safecracker feels the same when he gets caught slaving over a hot safe with a roaring oxy cutting torch.

We allegedly have politicians in shady land deals, corporate regulators who use public money for personal tax advice, expensive watches for doing your job and dodgy removal fees, and these are only the accusations coming to light. Maybe we should sick Robo-Debt onto them and then we can spend years with someone who we don't know is dodgy after we have sacked them for being dodgy. Meanwhile, if the poor old bikie has a beer in public with his mate he gets done for consorting. As Pauline said, please explain.

LAWRIE McKinna is certainly a very able politician, who can spin a bad situation like the best. His attempts to convince Jets' fans that all is well with the playing group and that it is business as usual ('Going concern', Herald 27/10) are admirable. But, in a game where playing with your heart and soul can make a world of difference, convince us that the senior players who want out are going to give their all in the coming season.

As professional as they may be, they will go into every game with the feeling that they really don't want to be here. That feeling, as much as they try to bury it , will sit with them and could very well decide if they actually put that bit more of an effort in, and that can be the difference.

There is clearly serious unrest among the Jets' players. It would be nice if Lawrie could tell long suffering fans what the real feeling is, rather than try to spin a business as usual approach. Although, fans could be forgiven for thinking that what is happening at the Jets is business as usual.

I THOUGHT my intention was clear, but if it wasn't to David Stuart (Short Takes, 27/10), I'll spell it out for him.

My letter responded to the defence peddled by Berejiklian's backers and PR machine. Their single woman and "unlucky in love" narratives are irrelevant to the substantive issues involved.

Similarly, the Premier repeatedly claims she has "done nothing wrong" - in other words, because there is no smoking gun proving her direct involvement in Maguire's alleged transgressions, that's the end of the matter. To the extent it's most definitely not the end of the matter, it's also irrelevant. When there's so much smoke around a premier there doesn't need to be a gun. Sadly, however, it seems she'll get through it with her job. That now seems to be the way of things. The Westminster doctrine of ministerial responsibility in Australia has been usurped by a doctrine of buck passing, hair splitting and finger pointing.

As for Trump, from the moment he wakes in the morning until he signs off Twitter late at night, he claims black is white and that he can do whatever he wants. Are we really so far from that here?

I AM writing in support of councillor John Church's opinion piece in the Herald ('Public voice lost in fund allocation process', Opinion 27/10). The councillor suggests the funds obtained from Newcastle businesses are now being used as a council funding initiative. This is an insult to the business community who provide the funds. I believe there is more to the destruction of the business improvement association (BIA) model, which had successfully run for almost 10 years, than the council has made public.

The examination of the BIAs by council consultant O'Connor Marsden in 2014/15, found the BIAs were fully compliant with council's requirements, according to a District Court ruling. Three years later (2018) the Centium Group, in yet another report to council, seemingly ignored the earlier report and condemned the BIAs.

Both reports are still unavailable from council. Why is this happening? Where is the transparency and fairness council constantly claim to be their mantra? A further report by AECOM (2018) for council recommended a new model to right the purported wrongs of the BIAs. This report also failed to mention the O'Connor Marsden report. Was that report shown to AECOM?

MONDAY'S news of a reported $11.5 million deficit by the council ('Lake records $11.5 million deficit, Newcastle Herald 26/10) should be of concern to most Lake Macquarie residents particularly with rate increases of 57 per cent over the last seven years. The council's financial officer said the council is in a sound financial position. Perhaps he can detail how this is the case and how the council will trade out of its deficit, moreover that ratepayers will not be asked to chip in with substantial increases in coming years.

WATCHING Question Time in Parliament is normally not my go, but I just happened to tune in the other day just in time to watch Anthony Albanese table seven instances of alleged corruption against some government ministers and government departments. The Prime Minister sat there with a blank look on his face as the Opposition Leader spoke. I waited for the Prime Minister to respond, but what happened was: the Attorney General stepped forward and called for a division motion, I think, and after a vote in the lower house the debate was shut down. It seemed to me that the government did not want to answer any questions on this matter. I believe it is no wonder they are totally against a corruption watchdog overlooking federal politicians.

JAPAN has announced that they are cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. They take 40 per cent each of Australia's thermal coal and gas exports ('Japan still biggest buyer', Herald 20/10). When will the Morrison government and Joel Fitzgibbon realise we must start the transition away from coal, otherwise thousands of workers will have no work in the future.

I WAS disappointed to learn that council is opposed to a ban on the sale of fur ('Fur ban call in Newcastle', Herald 24/10). We are constantly being told about how innovative the council is, yet at the first opportunity, not even to break new ground because other councils have already imposed the ban but to support what is becoming a global initiative they run a mile. Some innovation.

JUDY Wilkinson ('Residents sound a warning', Herald 28/10) presumably the noise from the venues was there before you bought accommodation in the area, so get over it or move. You can't expect already established venues to now be quiet because you moved in.

RECENTLY I have noticed E10 petrol at Belmont is priced at $1.45 per litre. In Sydney it ranges from $1.03 to $1.06 on King Georges Road. Around Hornsby it's $1.19. Why?