I wrote to Peter Hughes ten years ago (the Newcastle Airport CEO at the time) enquiring about flights going to Perth to save on costs of going via Brisbane or Melbourne, and avoid the long tedious journey of having to go to Sydney to get a flight. I put the same question to Dr Peter Cock, the present chief executive, almost four years ago but didn't get a reply. Mr. Hughes did reply, stating at that time they were having talks with the airlines, as though it was the airlines that would decide on particular flights rather than the length of the runway.

I AM occasionally definitely one of the Knights so-called naysayers and I make no apologies for that. I have no qualms about expecting players to "show up" and give 100 per cent. It is their job and they get paid handsomely to do it. I wrote in last week to berate the team for their lack of heart and commitment to the Newcastle jersey. It is only fair I write in again to say well done for showing grit and guts on Saturday ('Never say die', Herald 10/5) This Knights fan is hoping it was the first of many such efforts.

ON top of Col Maybury's article some weeks ago, we now have the giant burger ('5kg burger challenge is no piece of cake', Herald 8/5). Not my style, but well done Sheree and Ray and of course; James.

My parents bought this pub in 1962, when collieries were closing down all over the coalfields, who says you can't recycle coal mining areas. Great effort by many in this region to make the area one to visit. Certainly a step up from a Knott's pie and sauce (as good as that was). All that remains is to fire up the 'Old Stags' Kitchener cricket team!

AS a 92-year-old I am desperate to hear how the PM and his useless minister is going to fund the reform of aged care as recommended by the royal commision, so my eyes lit up when I caught the headline in Monday's Herald ('Up to $25bn to fix 'mess'', Herald 7/5). I hoped this was the amount the Coalition government had proposed in the coming budget for this work.

However, on reading the article it appears this huge sum is the amount of the extra subsidies the government will have to make from the fossil fuel and mining industry in the Upper Hunter alone without including other mining areas, to rehabilitate the minefields created by the mining industry. I believe this abuse of power allows these companies to pass their debts to the taxpayer while the government forces cuts to the care of the aged and disabled.

As an aged person , like my fellows I have worked till I was 70yo paid my taxes and made a contribution to my community, was awarded an OAM, only to be pushed to the back of the line when I might need some care in my last years because the miners and fossil fuel industries make big donations to political parties for preference over our care.

It would be easier to bear if these companies, mostly multinationals, actually ever paid any tax like we did, but most avoid tax despite the boom in mining and export prices. As the PM has said he lets his religion guide his actions in government, but his actions are in the interests of those with money so I and my fellow aged will have to rely on those in our society who still remain inspired to serve the sick and the poor who may use their vote to throw the money men from the house of parliament they now apparently control so that we may die with care and dignity as recommended by the Royal Commission and is our basic right.

I AGREE with recent letters to the editor about the disgusting name calling of Bill Shorten before the last federal election. A leaflet was hand delivered into our letterbox saying in bold letters: "Bill Shorten; Murderer of Babies". I was absolutely disgusted so looked to see if there was a name. It was put out by the Evangelicals, so perhaps another reason why the LNP won the election.

In my opinion people who have their heads in the sand about this LNP government need to get their heads out of the sand and listen and look at what this LNP government is actually promising in areas with seats they want to win for the party in the next federal election.

I don't think many promises will come to fruition, two of which are money for child care and money for Williamtown Airport. Childcare won't start till 2022 and Williamtown is supposed to start in August. We shall see. I will also say any political party who wins an election must use taxpayers money only to enhance the lives and areas of Australia, not for political gain.

I also don't personalise the names of politicians, such as ScoMo for Mr Morrison or Mr Potato Head for Dutton as I actually like potatoes. Have we actually been given a date for the election? I don't think so. So why are all the Coalition politicians on the hustings all over Australia at this moment?

I THANK John Green from AHA NSW for the reminder that his organisation is prohibited from making political donations in the NSW electoral system (Letters, 30/4). I believe readily accessible information suggests the powerful NSW alcohol lobby exerts substantial influence on the regulation of alcohol in NSW, our democratic decision-making process and the rule of law. Let the informed readers decide.

In 2004, a former boss of the AHA NSW John Thorpe reportedly suggested 'democracy isn't cheap' and in 2009, a former CEO of Clubs NSW reportedly suggested political donations promoted access and influence. These above reported assertions occurred before these donations were prohibited in NSW. In 2016 a Sydney newspaper published an allegation by the former Treasurer of the NSW Liberal Party that he knew of illegal political donations.

The Australian Electoral Commission reported for 2019-20, AHA NSW donated $185,677 to federal Labor although the regulation of alcohol in NSW is primarily a state matter ('Hotel industry generous political donor', Herald, 3/2). Federal laws preventing political donations flowing between the states and the Commonwealth are notoriously weak.

In 2017, the AHA's newsletter contained a report about the (then) Minister's attendance at their awards ceremony with the (then) Minister's praise of the AHA's president "for the incredible work that you do behind the scenes with Parliament and with the Opposition in raising the industries concerns, to ensure that you are getting the best deal from whoever is in government."

I believe serious public interest questions must be asked by those responsible for maintaining probity and integrity in NSW.

WORKERS' superannuation was designed to give workers a decent lifestyle when they retired. Last year $30 billion was stripped from super funds by workers with federal government approval, mainly to save the government money. Reportedly a measure in the budget may, if approved, allow workers to access their super again to get into the housing market. This country is heading for a generation of workers who will never be able to afford to retire.

I TOOK the wife on a week round trip to Wagga Wagga and watched the Knights defeat the Raiders ('Never say die', Newcastle Herald 10/5). I might have to take her to some home games to see if she has the same effect. Go Knights.

ONE would have thought the Federal Attorney General, after taking legal action, defamation against the ABC for reporting but not naming him in a story about an alleged historic rape case would want, in order to clear his name, a full and open to the public hearing of the evidence. Reports are that his legal team are trying to have the court suppress most of the evidence the ABC want to use in their defence. I have two questions; firstly why would he want it suppressed? Secondly, who is paying the legal fees for the ABC and the Attorney General?

AT this rate I believe Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is a guaranteed problem for future society. "The government understands the importance of owning your own home and the significant economic and social benefits home ownership provides," Mr Frydenberg said ('Huge aged care package to come in budget', Herald 9/5). A man destined to sink the average Australian without even knowing he did it. When you get used to spending billions, the touch for the common person rapidly disappears. How can you reduce personal debt this way? Deregulate the trustworthy banks, while you are at it. Why not?

MACQUARIE Group made $3.02 billion profit. They pay two people $20 million each plus whatever else other executives are on. All this while charging the average struggler whatever they can for profit. This is a joke.

IF we gave a report card to the Coalition, I believe they could only receive a D for quarantine, vaccinations and aged care. When it comes to smoke and mirrors, I believe that they get an A.

REGARDING Saturday's story ('Hunter's hottest suburbs', Herald 7/5) where are the houses coming from? Maybe the Department of Housing can release any homes they have vacant. Repairs could be done by the new owner.