THE People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals suggests that millions of mice be not poisoned but caught in humane traps and released unharmed. The question is released where? PETA has a like-minded group in the NSW Parliament named the Animal Justice Party, which has similar ideals in the protection of animals. However, the Animal Justice Party was quite happy to enthusiastically support the late term abortion Bill in the NSW Parliament. This Bill allows for late term abortions for any reason including gender selection. While I support the prosecution of those who commit cruelty against animals, common sense must prevail in regard to pests.
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John Rumble, Albion Park
Some counter-claims on plant
IN his opinion piece, Bruce Robertson, representing the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, wrote that "gas usage for gas-powered (electricity) generation has declined 42 per cent since 2014, (Why 'gold-plated' gas plan makes zero sense, Herald, 20/5). This statement is contrary to the figures provided by the federal Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. This department publishes an annual Australian Energy Update report. According to these reports, in 2014 gas produced 52,463 gigawatt hours of electricity (20.8 per cent of total generation) and in 2020 gas produced 52,775 gigawatt hours of electricity (20 per cent of total generation). This is a modest increase of 1 per cent and not a decrease of 42 per cent. Also, Mr Robertson claims that "there is plenty of spare capacity in NSW to ensure that the lights stay on and the wheels of industry turn". Then why did Tomago Aluminium have to close three times in the past week due to pressure on the state's power supply?
Robert Monteath, Merewether
Our children deserve better
THE focus for the National Climate Strike on May 21 is 'Fund our Future Not Gas' to highlight the folly of our governments treating gas as a "transition fuel" in our energy sector. Our own Australian Energy Market Operator has stated there is no need for an expanded role for gas in our energy system while the International Energy Agency landmark report states there can be no new coal, oil or gas projects approved this year if the world is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. They both provide a road map on how to achieve this with renewable energy sources with confidence. The stubbornness of our government to continue to rely on fossil fuels and a so-called "gas-led recovery" is revealed with the announcement it will fund the Kurri Kurri gas plant (as no one in the private sector will) to the tune of $600 million. It is an outrageous abuse of our taxpayer funds and risk to our climate. Time to move on to 21st energy models that are cheaper and less polluting. Our kids deserve nothing less.
Helen Cameron, Tamworth
COVID-19 vaccine headaches
MY experience trying to make an appointment for a COVID vaccination has been the same as Deanne Johnson (Letters 20/5) but now I read in the Herald's article on the proposed Hunter vaccine hub that many Hunter doctors have "excess capacity". My GP is not giving COVID vaccinations. All local GPs are only taking appointments from existing patients. I managed to find a medical centre, a 45 minute drive away where I could make an appointment. The first available is on July 12. So my understanding of the current situation is there are people who can get a vaccination now, but don't want to, and there are people like me who want a vaccination now, but can't get one. My brother-in-law was told by his GP that it would be a long time before he could get his vaccination (he is 62) as they are still vaccinating patients who are over 80. However he was given the details of a GP who could do it straight away. So now it appears that there are people who know where we can go and get vaccinated, but they're not making this information public. Our federal government can't organise an effective national vaccination program, unlike the US, UK, Israel etc, but it thinks it can pick a fight with China and win. Give me a break.
Kathy Gall, Toronto
Time to think outside square
SIMONE Adam (Letters, 20/5), thank you for articulating what many are thinking in regards to lack of affordable housing. Newcastle is a city that can innovate and reinvent itself in times of need. This is a time where our movers and shakers and creative thinkers can use their talents and resources to help our families, young people and elderly to secure clean, affordable housing. Think how you would feel if tonight you only had your car to sleep in. Lots of empty buildings, unused Airbnbs. The government isn't being creative about housing. Newcastle and Hunter Valley people can innovate and overcome barriers. Homelessness shouldn't be anyone's stress in a fortunate country like Australia.
Deidre Gulliver, New Lambton
Serious drug penalties needed
ANOTHER huge shipment of drugs, allegedly half a tonne with a street value of $150 million, has thankfully been intercepted and people have been arrested. Some years ago the government of the day promised to fix the problem of wholesale drug importation and legislated to increase the penalty to "up to life imprisonment". There, problem fixed. It is my belief that every drug importer and/or dealer has been responsible for the death of somebody, either directly or indirectly, that is how serious the problem is. So, correct me if I am wrong, but I am not aware of any instance of drug importation and/or dealing where this penalty has been handed down. Why not?
Bill Snow, Stockton
Entertain these thoughts
DO Novocastrians really want to create "entertainment precincts" throughout the city? These precincts sweep aside local legislation governing the sale of alcohol and noise restrictions. They are intended to bolster the music industry without exposing residents or businesses to unreasonable levels of amplified music. There has been no evidence provided to the public to support its application within Newcastle. Lifting the lockout laws may well be a precursor to establishing entertainment precincts throughout the city. Council's concept plan for the Harbour Foreshore reveals the possibility of entertainment precincts also being applied to our parklands. The plan suggests expanding the usage of Shortland Lawn to accommodate bigger and noisier events. This would require special legislation to lift current restrictions. There was no desire expressed in council's extensive survey of park users for the expansion of event zones. In fact the opposite. The public wanted improved amenity for passive recreation. Feedback from council's "Social Pinpoint" consultation map is revealing. The comment "I would love to see the hill shaped into a full amphitheatre style so we can host big concerts" scored 13 "likes" and a massive 301 "dislikes". Whether council takes these views on board remains to be seen.
Christine Everingham, Newcastle East
MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
SHORT TAKES
THE "Stairway to Heaven" concept is a rare opportunity to correct historical planning decisions that allowed the original plan for Newcastle to be compromised, and would provide a spectacular centrepiece to Newcastle city.
Linda Babic, Garden Suburb
CITY of Newcastle needs to concentrate on fixing much needed repair and maintenance from a growing backlog of jobs, renovate suburban parks and support much needed council services in the outer Newcastle electoral suburbs. There has been a lot of money spent in the city of Newcastle but many ratepayers cannot see the value or benefit to the CBD businesses or community. To the bystander it appears you are decimating car parking and CBD and causing further traffic congestion to highlight the Christ Church Cathedral and leave your mark whilst in leadership.
Susan Bisegna, Newcastle East
I HAVE no issue with the concept of a stairway from the harbour up to the cathedral. However I take offence to the title of "Stairway to Heaven". I am fortunate enough not to be directly affected, but I suspect anyone who was sexually abused at the hands of priests would not consider the destination as being "heavenly".
Brian Woodward-Knight, Raymond Terrace
DOUG Hoepper (Short Takes 20/5), the issue here is that they predict that under the new pricing system, the money made from having solar panels and using feed-in-tariffs for the average household would go down from $970 to $900 a year, a 7 per cent reduction. My question is will this increase more over time, say 10 per cent. For us that would mean doubling our bill each quarter. Not something I signed up for. If I can plan for my future so should the Australian Energy Market Commission.
Gina Horn, Cardiff South
THE organisation PETA has once again proven it's irrelevant, putting the lives of mice before farmers. Instead of wasting their time on saving mice during the mice plague, how about saving the lives of children during the Mexican plague caused by lefty lunatics led by Joe Biden?
Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay
AS a visitor to Newcastle I wondered about the media releases promoting a Hunter green hydrogen hub, a second NSW COVID vaccine centre and an unnecessary gas plant. Then I realised there is a local election imminent.
Tom Maher, Aspendale, Victoria
A FORWARD thinking person who can think beyond winning the next election might buy back Liddell off the electricity pirates for $1 and use the intended wasted money at Kurri to build a world-class high-efficiency low-emissions power station. But that would take vision.