These deeds should be applauded, but what of the other side of Cr Robinson, the side that causes hurt and pain? The question that needs to be asked is: does one side of a person make up for the other?

When there is controlling and abusive behaviour and the mouth is used in a destructive way no amount of playing Santa will ever make up for the damage caused.

IT'S consoling to hear that Allan Robinson claims by inference, that old line 'some of my best friends are gay' after indulging in adolescent jibes in council that he had to apologise for publicly; and what led to his "independent" mates showing him the door, ("Robbo's gay friends: 'He's no homophobe'", Opinion 18/9).

His other past claim to councillor competence is that he supports people that contact him with complaints or concerns. Great, but it's just part of his role as a councillor - no big deal. My main concerns relate to his achievements over the past two terms. For instance, what initiatives has he ever proposed by way of notice of motion and how often, if ever, did he vote differently to his "independent" colleagues? What were his pearls of wisdom speaking for or against anything in the chamber? It's all about competence, Mr Robinson.

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has certainly got up more noses than COVID. Under the pressures of COVID-19 restrictions and climate change, voters' frustration with our PM is full-scale. I have been critical of the government's climate change actions, but will have to eat some of my words.

I have to recognise the large investments being made to research in many areas such as the Carbon Capture Use and Storage and Australian National Hydrogen Strategy under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency grants; as a few examples. As yet there are no final conclusions on the most emissions-free/cost effective clean energy path for oil and gas manufacture and utilisation industries. The reason we have not committed to 2050 net-zero emissions is that the technologies to achieve this, without harsh economic or resources impact, remain prototypes under review.

The federal government has continued with coal export markets while they exist. In view of COVID, I can understand the need to prop up the economy until the better technologies become marketable. Otherwise going "net-zero" would (and may still) come at a cost that impacts on our lifestyles. Hence the question, how much impact will the public tolerate for climate action?

I have not seen and am not convinced that the Labor Party has anything comparable to offer. So, warts and all, I believe the federal government's climate approach is, at present and amid competing technologies and time, the most acceptable pathway.

CHINA has vowed to stop financing new coal plants beyonds its borders. With the exit of the financial backer of an estimated two-thirds of new coal-fired power generation projects globally, and a climate catastrophe looming, it is time to stop gambling with coal. The Morrison government needs to read the writing on the wall, and pivot quickly and decisively to genuinely clean energy and technology that will support our sustainability, regional economies and jobs.

RICHARD Devon (Letters, 20/9), made such a good point about recognising the efforts and sacrifices of all our Paralympians, or even all our Olympians. Missing out by two seconds in a two-hour marathon event could mean not only no medal but no money either. Are we saying to them, "you were two seconds too slow to win a medal, therefore you're a loser so no money for you either"? What about our competitors in other world games? Should we not pay all our competitors in the Military Olympics (held in Wuhan in 2019), the Gay Olympics and the under-12s Olympics (if held)? Since "winning" and "losing" are cultural impositions from middle-aged white men, all competitors should receive gold medals as well as cash. No wait, what about those athletes who competed for team-selection but missed out? All team applicants should get gold medals and cash. No wait, what about everyone who plays each sport?

BOTH Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison were parachuted in. Malcolm Turnbull ousted Peter King, who held the seat of Wentworth. Peter King accused Mr Turnbull of branch stacking.

Scott Morrison ousted Michael Towke for the Federal seat of Cook. Michael Towke was the subject of a smear campaign from which Scott Morrison benefitted. Mr Towke won the first ballot against Scott Morrison, 82 votes to 8. Unfoundered stories in the media destroyed Mr Towke's political career. The second ballot gave the preselection to Scott Morrison and he was parachuted into the seat. Notice how Scott Morrison has not commented on Kristina Keneally.

IAN Player (Letters, 23/9) how could you get it so wrong? Such a disingenuous letter. Instead of calling on Carl Stevenson to apologise for his 'inaccuracy' to be polite, you improperly blame the messenger and employ a crowd of straw men. In correcting and correctly stating the more democratic way Labor elects its leader, I didn't spin anything or comment on Liberals and Labor parachuting candidates and their factions. You can push those barrows, but leave innocent people out of it.

REFERRING back to Paul Scott's article on public toilets, make sure you are OK before coming to Charlestown as there are no public toilets in this major suburb. Toilets are in the square, but none within 100 metres of an entry door if open. As a major medical area, we once had toilets in Charlestown Oval lost in the GPT expansion and now only open for games. If you live anywhere near the water, toilets abound. When this was queried at the time, I was advised that there is a public toilet in Algona Park, so be prepared.

IN an opinion piece written by me published in the Newcastle Herald last week ( 24.9.21 I referred to a statement I believed to have been made by Anthony Albanese. When this was questioned by a reader I checked my own references and could not find back where I had found that. I accept that this may have been an error and offer my apologies to Anthony Albanese and the ALP. I would rephrase the sentence so as to maintain the essence of intent by the ALP leader's policy of small targets and avoiding controversy, without him actually having stated that himself.

OH no ScoMo, what were you thinking, putting our national security before our friendship with the French and the Chinese government? Gongping gongzheng! I'm reliably (?) informed that's Chinese for fair dinkum, a language our kids are gonna be speaking if we don't wake up to the fact the Chinese government has no interest in being our friend.

HAS anyone heard what the cost of this new sub deal with AUKUS is? There's been no mention of it as far as I know. It seems as if the deal has been done and we'll worry about the cost later. Blank cheque contract? The mind boggles.

HURRAY for Australia. We don't have the severe winters of Europe; the poverty of Asia; the violence of America and the instability of many African nations. We have a fair dinkum country with a bonzer climate, healthy tucker and quality plonk! True, we have our share of drongos but more importantly a devoted sense of mateship from our convict origins. All in all, who would want to live anywhere else? If there is one fault in the present social climate, it's not appreciating how lucky we are. Hurray for Australia!

IT is my belief that the resignation from cabinet by Christian Porter without argument was a calculated move to close the investigation, and that it was done only to prevent disclosure of more damning information on both himself and the Morrison government.

I WOKE up this morning to read that a Melbourne protester has been hospitalised with COVID. Now he relies on the wonderful medical staff to get him better. Hopefully he won't need a ventilator as he hates wearing masks so much and refuses to wear one.

IMAGINE how high the Australian vaccination rate would be by now if the PM and his authorities stopped discriminating against 60-year-old plus Australians and gave them a choice of vaccine just like everyone else. I'm fairly certain that the Discrimination Act of 1975 deems this type of act as unlawful and yet it's happening right now. The PM needs to let common sense prevail, stop being so stubborn and belittling this group of Australian citizens. Give everyone the same choice of vaccine regardless of age.