I don't condone speeding, and I have lost a few friends to road trauma. But hearing that the NSW government is planning to use average speed cameras on the Pacific Highway angers me.
It feels like the government is yet again involved in another cash grab in the name of public safety.
In fact, I have a friend from Russia currently in Australia who has expressed to me that she feels more freedom in Russia than Australia. She details quite explicitly that the impact of our nanny state makes Australia feel more like an autocracy than life under Putin.
When do we start to say enough is enough? I think the introduction of the average speed camera has crossed the line.
How about the NSW government simply employing more highway patrol officers?
Greg Adamson, Griffith
Passengers get the coal shoulder
SO our Opal card charges go up and yet the amount of trains, not just here in Newcastle, that run late is absolutely ridiculous. Coal comes before people. It's the main asset here, not humans.
The waiting time for the coal trains to come through affects so many people. The 8.10am gets from Waratah to one station, Hamilton, and it's 8.20am. Maybe it's only 10 minutes to a lot of people, but those who cannot drive and have medical appointments are struggling to get to their doctors, so things need to change.
I'm by no means a greenie. I've done mining work for a couple of decades, but fair's fair: let us commuters get to our destinations. Ironically as I write this I'm on the train and we're stopped.
Coal or people, which one is most important? It's not right.
Matt McAlary, Waratah
Fire up the penalties for bushfires
THE front page headline for the Newcastle Herald on September 4 2024, read "Flaming early start to bushfire season". The article following on page five referred to the blaze at Tomago that was "near 30,000 tonnes of liquified natural gas". The report did not detail how the blaze was suspected to have started. Certainly there were no lightning strike on that day.
Bushfires have been responsible for many devastating deaths over many years, and history shows that some fires are lit by firebugs. Because bushfires can be responsible for deaths, then in my book lighting a bushfire is essentially attempted murder, or, at the very least, attempted manslaughter. Therefore, I believe lighting a bushfire should be classified as a capital offence, and offenders ought to be treated accordingly. Over the past decade it appears some offenders have seemingly only received light sentences or even bonds. Not good enough for mine.
Richard Devon, Fishing Point
Stakes too high for all the steaks
Australians are famous for enjoying a good steak ("Raising the steaks", Herald 2/9). I certainly do, and of course beef is a great source of protein, but can we have too much of a good thing?
Amazingly, more than half of the world's weight of animals is now domesticated mammals (mostly cattle) and almost all the rest is human beings. Wild mammals (including the whales) now make up only around 4 per cent the total mammal mass on Earth.
Around 37 per cent of all habitable land worldwide is now devoted to feeding humanity's livestock, and the demand for more is growing. The Amazon, Congo, and south-east Asia continue to clear massive areas of forest to meet the demand, and they are not alone. Queensland is still clearing a million more acres every year, and mostly for cattle.
For our health we need a balanced diet, but that is entirely possible even without meat or processed substitutes.
There are lots of tasty alternatives and, let's face it, we rely on plants for all of our sauces, herbs and spices.
Australia is well off and most of us are more than able to afford the price of steak, of course, but the world could not sustain anywhere near the number of livestock to feed everyone on the planet with the current average Australian's diet. Maybe we could afford to tighten our belts a little to help save our ecosystem. The good news is, we don't need to give up those tasty steaks, but it'd be much better for the planet and our long term health to make red meat an occasional treat rather than our staple food (as only the meat industry would love) and encourage the world to do the same.
Tom Hunt, Oak Flats
Solar rate shift is light on detail
I believe I can add to the bemusement on solar systems ("Electricity savings a meagre one", Letters, 31/8; "Little power in paltry savings", Letters, 9/9).
The letter I received from my energy provider stated that I may save a single figure dollar value, not would. Having dispatched the letter to the circular file for recycling I am relying on memory, but I believe the energy rate was increased for off peak energy supply.
The other incredible aspect of the letter was that the sender was unable to contact me via email. Surprising, given they have no trouble billing me by email every quarter.
The cost of mailing could have translated to a saving for the consumer, small as it may have ultimately been.
Marvyn Smith, Heddon Greta
Bill Shorten will be a sad loss for debate
Bill Shorten will be sorely missed from the Labor Party, to whom his steadfast loyalty knew no bounds. From when he was a very young municipal stalwart, his public addresses were passionate, sincere and delivered with aplomb. There are very few in either party who could put forward their point without becoming outrageous simply because they had the floor, as Bill did. All the best for a successful career, future and time spent with your exemplary family Bill.
Pat Garnet, Wickham
Thanks for the perspectives
A BALANCED, intelligent and downright inspiring opinion piece by Zack Schofield ("Rising Tide wouldn't stop a cruise ship, so what's the go?", Opinion, 5/9) was my pleasure to read over coffee in Cooks Hill this morning. Thank you for publishing community perspectives, not just the views of those with very vested interests. I think it's time I subscribed.
Mina Bui Jones, Catherine Hill Bay
Students aren't hoarding houses
Saying the housing shortage is caused by overseas students is like blaming the homeless for the shortage of housing. While politicians with investments properties point the finger at overseas students for a housing shortage, maybe a week living with overseas students in dingy overpriced accommodation will change your mind on the plight of these students? Here in the United States of Australia, a very rich country run by millionaire politicians, we have Australian citizens living on the streets, and then we have others blaming overseas students for the housing shortage. Joke of the year, get a life.
Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
Economics and politics don't mix
Mike Sargent ("Aggression demands a defence", Letters, 6/9), is surprised that some people are opposed to our military build up suggesting that pacifists appear to live in a parallel universe.
It's an interesting perception because, while I believe China has committed terrible crimes against Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kong residents and government opponents most of the world still does business with them.
It's just as if economics is in a parallel universe with the lure of the dollar overriding any moral qualms or apparently even defence issues because we flogged off the Darwin port to the Chinese just at a time when it was being upgraded as a counter to China's aggression.
