It seems obvious to me that with all the infrastructure geared up to accommodate shipping in this port that cruise ships are a long term option. We have some of the best built wharves anywhere with deep water. We are 150 kilometres from Sydney at the mouth of the Hunter Valley, offering tourists many attractions. There will be many detractors to this idea but these people are in the main unelected officials thinking short term. Seems to me that in my past endeavours these people have persuaded our elected representatives to shelve this plan. Seems to me that it's a bit like the tail wagging the dog.

Let's at least have a conversation about this, let's consider our future past the next election. Just a thought.

I GET mildly annoyed at the myth which is spreading that says that unvaccinated people with the COVID-19 virus are more likely to be contagious than vaccinated people with the virus. From what I understand, the truth is that they are equally contagious; the only difference being that vaccinated people are less likely to be seriously affected, will heal quicker and have a much less chance of dying from the disease.

Yes, I am double vaccinated. But after a long search of science and research papers I find no evidence for this myth. Yet we see it referred to by the government, eg MP Jacqui Lambie, by the media and more. Maybe we should remind people that we vaccinated ourselves and had a lockdown to protect us, and to not overwhelm our health system. Those who chose not to be vaccinated are being excluded to protect them not to protect us.

WELL, council elections are upon us and I am wondering who if any of our would-be councillors or lord mayors may occasionally think about the 13 holiday cabins that were removed from the Stockton Caravan Park about two years ago and are now being stored at the council grounds behind the Stockton Pool.

The loss of revenue to the council must be enormous, and the absolute waste of ratepayers money involved in this is just insane. These are lovely well-equipped units that are being left on this site with no use to anyone, in what must be a very expensive and in my opinion total folly on someone's part and inexcusable management of this problem.

If they can't be relocated back into our slowly eroding caravan park why not sell them, relocate them or provide them to some of the many desperate and homeless people that are begging for a safe roof over their heads? This is such an enormous waste and needs someone to do something about this now before these cabins start to deteriorate and become useless to anyone.

PETER Devey, (Short Takes, 27/11), if bushfire response was the "total responsibility of the states" the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements would not have been held.

Of the 80 recommendations, 12 were the sole responsibility of the Australian government while another 36 were the joint responsibility of the Australian, state and territory governments. The policy settings of the Australian government also impact climate change making bushfires more frequent and more intense.

If being concerned about the lack of government action on climate change is "appalling left-wing politics", then the majority of Australians must have moved to the left.

I BELIEVE it is time to shake out the shonky politicians with a federal version of NSW's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

In Federal Parliament, Prime Minister Scott Morrison railed against NSW ICAC describing it as a "kangaroo court". He labelled ICAC's enquiry into former NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian behaviour as a "shameful attack". Many voters agree that politicians' private lives should not be subject to public scrutiny. But if politicians' private lives interfere with their performance of public duties, the public should know about their failure to perform their public duties.

Politicians are trusted to handle huge amounts of taxpayer money honestly. Higher standards of integrity should therefore apply to them than members of the general public. ICAC only investigates a politician's behaviour if, in its expert opinion, it considers that there is a prima facia case against the politician. In my view, it is irrelevant if a politician's political career is ended following such an ICAC enquiry, even if the relevant matter has not been referred for criminal prosecution. Corruption is corruption, whether or not it fits the narrow legal definition of "criminal" corruption. If Australia had a Federal ICAC, maybe we wouldn't get as many people entering federal politics for the wrong reasons.

FROM time to time the letters column produces humour of the highest quality, but on Friday there was a short take I thought displayed sarcasm of the highest quality (Short Takes, 26/11): Craig Helpdew's takedown of the idiots who risk everyone's health by not being vaccinated and then protesting as to how it is their right to infect the other 95 per cent of us was in my opinion sarcastic genius.

You tried to hide your feelings by pretending to support the moronic protesters, but I reckon I saw through to your 'real' thoughts. Your wit in showing how democracy is dead if 5 per cent of the population can override the will of the rest is admirable.

IF I read Paul Duggan correctly, end-of-life suffering is more than just physical pain, which can be relieved, , ("Time to lay the myths to rest", Letters, 29/11). But I still say it is better to relieve the suffering, not just the pain, than to kill the sufferer. We don't allow others who view their circumstances as irredeemably hopeless to end it all. That's why we have suicide prevention.

If the best interests of end-of-life sufferers are paramount, why did NSW politicians vote down so many safeguards in the VAD Bill, including the need for a specialist to give a diagnosis (and possible treatment options), stronger protections around decision-making capacity, the detection of coercion, and preventing health workers from initiating a discussion around VAD? Even Victoria's legislation requires a specialist with relevant expertise and experience in the disease, illness or medical condition expected to cause the death of the person being assessed.

TOPICS (Opinion 29/11), tells of possible development of 'airspace' above existing multi level strata buildings, using 'light-weight constructions'. New developments in both Newcastle and Lake Macquarie council areas already show an overflow of residents' vehicles onto the adjoining streets. So where do the developers intend to find parking for the vehicles of the owners of these new penthouses? Surely our council planners will not allow this type of proposal to further complicate street parking issues?

CONGRATULATIONS to Callan Purcell for landing key roles in the musical Hamilton ("Actor's role getting Rad Kids into the room where it happens", Newcastle Herald 26/11). He said that "I'm representing my ancestors, my community and my mob every time I go out there". That's great, but no mention of Anglo-Saxon heritage, English culture and American history? It has been said of Hamilton that the stage play gets everything right, except the facts. Go and enjoy the musical, by all means, but get your facts about the historical figure, Alexander Hamilton, from a more reputable source.

MAY I remind the PM that the former NSW Premier was not "done over by a kangaroo court" as he described in Parliament, she was actually investigated by a corruption commission for a possible conflict of interest. This Commission was actually set up by her own government to expose corrupt politicians. So far they have reserved their decision on her behavior. The decision to step down as premier and walk away from politics was her decision alone. Rumours have it, she could stand in the next federal election in a Liberal seat in Sydney. If that eventuates then the commission must release their findings on her to the public before the election.

YES Craig Helpdew, anti vaxxers are protesting for their freedom, but why? They are free, in my opinion; free from polio, free from diphtheria, free from whooping cough; all thanks to vaccinations. They are not free to smoke in public places, exceed the speed limit, or drive without a licence: all rules brought in to protect the public. COVID vaccination is to protect the public. Anti-vaccination protesters are showing their ignorance.

I HAVE been pondering after viewing the desperate people drowning whilst trying to find a new home. Wouldn't it be better if those countries affected by the large amount of refugees arriving in their countries put huge strains on infrastructure, to instead spend the money on infrastructure on the countries of origin. It seems such a simple solution that I am sure there must be a reason it is not happening. Can anyone tell me why that's the case?