SATURDAY February 6 was a special day for our Queen Elizabeth II as she has reigned 69 years as our monarch. It was in Kenya in 1952 that the tragic news found the young princess who was on a tour for her father, the King, which was planned to take her to Australia via Africa. On hearing the news she was recalled to England as she became the Queen in her father's stead. Many said she was too young and not ready for the task and yet through many challenges she has proven to be completely up to the task.
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The difficulties she had relating to her sister's various wedding plans and the tension that was placed upon her marriage as well as the tension caused by her uncle, the former King, who had abdicated the throne making her father the King. In all this with poise and dignity our Queen has proven to be one of the most successful monarchs in the world.
As she approaches 95 and still showing stamina for the role of queen we must honour her for all she has done over the 69 years as Queen of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Long live the Queen
Milton Caine, Birmingham Gardens
Zap into action on vehicles
The federal government has recently released its long awaited electric vehicle (EV) support program via a discussion paper 'The future fuels strategy'. ("Industry bags 'do-nothing fuels strategy'', Newcastle Herald 6/2).
Rather than the federal government implementing a high priority national charging network, the discussion paper proposes a private sector co-investment strategy. How long will it take to ensure enough chargers are installed across the country, encouraging EV manufacturers to import the best vehicles in reasonable numbers?
There are also no plans for direct financial incentives for motorists to purchase EVs. In the UK, subsidies are available of up to $5400 when purchasing low emission vehicles. Australia also doesn't propose bringing in stricter pollution standards on current petrol / diesel cars to reduce emissions / pollution.
Our current emissions and fuel quality standards are years behind Europe and have been likened to those of developing nations by some car manufacturers.
GM America has recently announced they will stop producing petrol / diesel vehicles by 2035. Other manufacturers are likely to follow suit.
In my opinion it is now imperative that the federal government provides leadership in this important policy area. Otherwise, the danger is that Australian motorists will again be left behind the rest of the world and not benefit from the best EV technologies available overseas.
Ian Thomas, The Hill
Burden is on Kelly to be right
ALAS I think it is reasonable to whinge about Craig Kelly and actually hold him up as an example (Short Takes, 6/2). Do due diligence, Mr Kelly.
To support his argument when confronted by Tanya Plibersek he did not quote hundreds of intensive care specialists around the world who are watching their patients die at an alarming rate, nor did he quote infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, public health specialists, virologists or pharmacologist front line medicos. No, his main backup was a retired immunologist who I fear has never treated a COVID case ('Uni cold on COVID claims', Herald 4/2).
One of the treatments Mr Kelly was quoting was found to have actually caused more deaths or increased harm than standard of care in three studies. If Mr Kelly could find no "coal face" doctors to support his statements, then in my opinion they should be totally disregarded.
To put it in a simple analogy for Mr Hopton, I am sure the retired painter I have used has an opinion about the electrical wiring of the house, but if I have a concern I will use an electrician. Chloroquine and invectin may, like many other promising chemicals, have a role in COVID but they need proper studies, which I know are going ahead. Health professionals are taught first do no harm; alas I fear some politicians are not held to this standard.
Christopher Marley, Adamstown
The moving houses of Swansea
I ENJOYED Pamela Webber's letter (Letters, 6/2) as to her husband's memories of living in the houses on Swansea Flats. My grandparents and an uncle and aunt owned adjoining houses there, which was actually on the foreshore immediately in front of what is now the Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. It was, and still is, an idyllic spot, and almost every house had its own launch or rowing skiff (usually the old clinker-built variety) in the water out front tethered to a pole sunk into the ground. I spent much of my school holidays staying with my grandparents and, in the early years, I remember being enthralled watching the Catalinas take off and land just across the lake, although I did not venture so far when fishing as to encroach on their landing area.
Eventually, all the houses were forced to move away from the waterfront as the owners were told that the whole area was required for a nature reserve although it was, apparently, an open secret that the intention was to establish a caravan park. My relatives felt aggrieved because the owners of the houses had legal title to the land (Crown Lands Perpetual Lease) whereas the houses erected on nearby Coon Island who were squatters (no legal title) were allowed to remain, and did so for many years after.
Nevertheless, the area is now enjoyed by probably thousands of holidaymakers and visitors each year. However, I feel privileged to have been able to enjoy it when it was a much quieter and pristine environment.
Robert Muir, Fennell Bay
A decade gone since drink laws
ROBERT Tacon (Short Takes, 5/2) I don't think that any Novocastrians should be at all concerned with any alterations to Newcastle small bar laws, even if it does lead to more relaxations to the rules.
The current archaic licensing laws were introduced what seems like another lifetime ago, and in the 13 years since their inception Newcastle has matured and is undeniably moving on from its violent past.
Those in uniform also need not be concerned, especially if those in the blue uniforms are as present on the streets of Newcastle as they were back before anyone had even heard of one-punch deaths ('Lockout 'lunacy'', Herald 3/2).
Dedication and courage aren't the only means of protection for police either. They are also armed with a number of weapons including batons, pepper spray and tasers. As well as all this they carry handcuffs which, back before one punch deaths, were used regularly to swiftly deal with problem drinkers, who'd be arrested and put in a cell for the night, rather than being left to simply wander the streets causing more trouble. Arrests would, in my opinion, have been easier though without counter-productive laws that put everyone out onto the streets all at once.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
SHORT TAKES
SO the NRL don't want Israel Folau back to play, all because he quoted the Bible (which I've never looked at) yet they have players who have been convicted of crimes who line up every week to play. I believe Folau is being penalised for his opinions that many people agree with. Not everyone agrees, but in a democracy we all can say what we believe to be true, and I believe there are much worse offenders still playing every week.
Don Fraser, Belmont
WHAT an inspirational and informative article by Anita Beaumont ("Sutainable plan for 2030', Herald 5/2). The Hunter New England Health Sustainable Healthcare: Together Towards Zero 2030 plan is impressive and makes good sense given that, in 2019, the Australian Medical Association recognised climate change as a health emergency. It was amazing to read that Tamworth Hospital saved 2.5 million litres of water last year alone through a water re-use program in the renal unit. If all of Australia's hospitals and health services followed the 2030 carbon-neutral leadership of Hunter New England Health chief Michael DiRienzo, we may even achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in a canter.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
I BELIEVE the decision to give Samantha Stosur a wildcard entry to the Aussie Open is a slap in the face of the promising Australian young players. Sam has won prizemoney over $19 million in her 20-year career. If you lose in the first round you receive $100,000. Imagine how that money and the chance to play can help a young star of the future in exposure, experience and travel costs. Perhaps we don't have any emerging stars, but given the current strength of our young women players including Ash Barty, I find that hard to believe. I know Sam has been a great player but in my opinion at the age of 36 her career is ending. That spot could benefit a star of the future.
Brian Burgess, Floraville
I BELIEVE that if it wasn't for the government under Julia Gillard allowing all our offshore gas to be exported by overseas companies there would be no shortage of gas in Australia, let alone the need for exploration off our east coast or inland fracking around prime agricultural land. Now we have a situation where ScoMo is going to these companies cap in hand trying to do a deal for them to provide our domestic needs for gas, no doubt at prices dictated by a world market. So much for Australian sovereignty, and how overseas investment is good for our country. Considering we have the largest deposits of offshore gas in the world. this situation is ludicrous let alone an embarrassment to the country.
Steven Busch, Rathmines
I FEEL I must comment on the Collingwood Football Club saga (Herald 1/2). To get down to the basics, if the management and board did not know of the years of systemic racism going on at the club they must be deaf and blind. If on the other hand they did know, they should still go. A report only confirms one or the other in my opinion. No amount of spin will erase the years of neglecting this issue and the hurt it has caused.