WE should not be taken in by the latest announcement from the federal government.
It is all smoke and mirrors as part of a blatant attempt at pork-barrelling.
The facts? The short stretch of railway line between the contiguous stations of Tuggerah and Wyong is already among the fastest between Sydney and Newcastle, exceeded only by the Morisset straits.
Sure, quadruplifying this stretch would reduce the chances of an out-of-sequence freight train delaying a passenger service occasionally, and just maybe it would allow an express train to overtake an all-stations service at the height of peak hour.
Outside the peaks, the service is too infrequent to interact except in the most extreme circumstances.
Improving overall journey times? Not a chance. No mention of straightening the west Lake Macquarie curves (introduced to make life easier for much lower-powered steam engines), where expert analysts suggest that serious time saving could easily be achieved with the current high-powered electric stock.
One could also mention the curvaceous line beside Mullet Creek south of Woy Woy - scenic but oh so slow (and expensive to bypass, it must be said).
No, the main reason for this announcement is sheer pork-barrelling.
The electorate including the two adjacent townships is held by Labor on a knife-edged margin, so the Coalition wants to try to win it back.
No doubt brand new stations at Tuggerah and Wyong would be appreciated by the locals, but as for having a significant effect on Sydney-Newcastle journey times?
Forget it.
Geoff Hassall, Birmingham Gardens
Promises without substance
THERE must be an election coming up.
Promises and pork barrels are flying in all directions - too many to list here, in the limited forum which is the letters page.
As someone said long ago - it's been attributed to Senator Everett Dirksen (US), but apparently the New York Times printed something similar in 1910 - "a billion here, a billion there, pretty soon you're talking about real money". Well, there's plenty of billions being announced.
New highway intersections, rail line duplications, (at the same time as the NSW government considers stalling some rail works in progress, due to lack of funds,) the list goes on and on.
There's two things, though:
1. Has anyone seen fit to question how many of these barrels will actually have their tops removed? Judging by previous experience, the number will be remarkably small - I'm surprised that not many media commentators have had anything to say about that.
2. Wouldn't it make more sense to provide, instead of so far unfulfilled promises, enough funds to fix the damages caused by natural disasters in the past couple of years, rather than thunder off sideways on all these no doubt wonderful, but not essential, new departures?
Oh, but wait, the wonderful new projects can be promised, but the money needn't be spent soon, if at all.
However, if money is promised to people who need help, then government popularity will wane even further than it has if that money doesn't arrive promptly.
The reasoning becomes clear.
It should be noted that I ask the second of these questions in the light of unfolding news about tragic fresh flooding in south east Queensland, and the possibilities of fresh catastrophe in the north of NSW.
Barney Ward, Edgeworth
Parties not thinking about us
THIS system we have, with the democratic process of representation by candidates selected locally by branches is the gateway protecting democracy.
This process allows locals some power, although limited in their choice, local knowledge of the character and strength of their proposed representative.
It is currently in jeopardy with parties' leadership usurping this power of selection.
Party leaders are now choosing candidates despite many local branches' objections.
Now federal Liberal and state Liberal are monopolising these choices.
Branches will be stacked with people from factions sympathetic to the leadership making each electorate and party less representative an democratic.
Labor has been guilty of the same things but not on the scale of Mr Morrison's government.
As we cynically look forward to another election trying to convince ourselves that our vote counts as true democracy it becomes harder to believe.
Who will look after our interests?
Is there anybody out there?
Lyn Rendle, Rankin Park
We owe it to our young people
NOW, more than ever, we should support young people to rally for rapid climate action ("What's On, Herald, 25/3).
Theirs is a powerful voice for three reasons.
First, demonstrating en masse fosters unification as people join together for a common cause.
Second, protesting is an act that gives our youth a sense of empowerment and optimism to alleviate their anxieties about global warming.
Third, these young people are effectively applying moral pressure on individuals, governments, and corporations.
In the wake of recent flooding, their calls to action are increasingly hard to ignore.
The climate strikers rightly state that it is their future we hold in our hands.
We owe it to our brave young people to heed their call for rapid climate action.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Fair-minded readers out there
IN reply to David Stuart, ("No inquiry means no resolution", Letters, 29/3).
Contrary to you allegation:
Fair-minded Australians are far more intelligent than you make out.
Fair-minded Australians will recognise there has been an informal allegation, through the media, of bullying towards Kimberley Kitching.
Fair-minded Australians will also recognise there has been no formal complaint of bullying to test the veracity of the complaint - nor has there been any detail of any allegation via the trial by media process.
Fair-minded Australians will recognise that there has been no independent respected authority in this matter to give any shred of credibility to the claim.
As it stands, intelligent Australians will recognise that since it is an untested complaint the accused are considered to be innocent until proven guilty although there will always be those who do not support this democratic ideal, especially for those that see this ideal to be politically inconvenient, or whose job is to smear the opposition.
Glen Wilson, Cardiff
SHORT TAKES
AS a voter, I object to being treated as a goldfish. Goldfish have no memory. You can starve goldfish to death and it doesn't realise what is occurring. If goldfish are grateful, they are grateful for their final meal that saves them. This re-election budget treats voters as goldfish. If the items on which the Treasurer is now promising to spend money upon are so vitally important, why wasn't the expenditure made earlier? I am inclined to accept Labor's assessment that the budget cash splashing and pork-barrelling is all about winning votes and retaining power rather than responsible economic management.
Geoff Black, Caves Beach
I READ the government is going to spend $1 billion on 10km of track between Wyong and Tuggerah. You can stand on Wyong station and see Tuggerah station less than 2km away. They need to check their mileage.
Ron Archer, Mount Hutton
I THINK the biggest controversy from the Academy Awards was the lack of nominations for one particular Australian icon. Due to his constant photo ops in various work wear, I was convinced the PM would've won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and for Best Costume Design.
Adz Carter, Newcastle
LOVE will make you do crazy things. An excuse for violence?
Bill Slicer, Tighes Hill
I READ with interest your letter Don, especially the last part where you say "allegedly happened", (the bullying part), ("The Kitching claims weigh heavily", Letters, 29/3). My question to you is if it was "alleged" why does Albo have to do anything?
John Matthews, Belmont North
WHAT a wonderful hypocritical bunch of politicians we have and all trying to win our vote. The Liberal Party has sex scandals and abuse and lies and the Labor Party has bullying and lies and all are very capable of cover-ups. Our country is in fine shape. Not. Be careful what you vote for in May.
Lorraine Gillett, Fern Bay
THE CoN has certainly dropped the ball. The grass is knee high at Islington Park and along the walkway green waste bins haven't been emptied in Wickham for a few weeks. Chairs have been broken in Wickham Park from the concert and not fixed or replaced. What am I paying rates for?
Debra Forbes, Wickham
PUTIN says that he is on a 'Special Military Operation'; I think I'd be inclined to call it a barbaric slaughter of innocent people. Just a slight difference of opinion.
Alan Harrison, Glendale
DARRYL Tuckwell, to keep the people safe from abuse we need to look closer to home. The abusers are a part of the society we live in every day. We are over governed now and there does not seem to be a solution to the problems you proffer. Nor do you offer any solutions. Less criticism and more positivity in the form of advice to those in power may help.
