Our community, unfortunately, has lazy, loudmouth yobbos who sit on the sidelines criticising and abusing these volunteers. My message to those who attack junior sport volunteers, shut your big mouth, get off your whingeing backside and put your ‘‘big mouth sports knowledge’’ to good use and become a junior sports volunteer.

Kenny Pearson, Albion Park Rail

 The decision taken to cut funding for solar and wind-generated electricity says a lot about the lack of ability of “Tony and his LNP troglodytes” to think outside  the square.

What better career path for retiring LNP parliamentarians than to offer their services  as back-up sources  of wind for those days when Mother Nature fails to deliver?  Using conscience and politicians in the same sentence represents the ultimate oxymoron!

Barry Swan, Balgownie

Prime Minister Tony Abbott once again is launching a spurious attack on wind farms and renewable energy.

Not content with sending manufacturing workers to the unemployment queues,  his government  prevented thousands of people from gaining employment in the renewable energy industry  and is conducting constant attacks on the Renewable Energy Target (RET).

Both Treasurer Joe Hockey and Abbott described  wind turbines as offensive, and launched an inquiry into their adverse impacts including health.

Curious how Australians and the Dutch used windmills for centuries without aesthetic or health impacts.  I have yet to find anyone that considers open cut coal mines and CSG drilling rigs more attractive than wind turbines. 

I find it extremely offensive that the LNP chooses to launch inquiries into harmless industries (and issues) while ignoring those industries causing enormous destruction and health issues as with coal seam gas and coal mining.

Ken Brown, Invergowrie

Ray Robinson (Your Say, July 10) questioned my use of statistics from a poll conducted by the Crosby/Texta  (C/T) market research group, which found that 72 per cent of the public supported same-sex marriage. 

That poll was commissioned by AME (Australia Marriage Equality) but the C/T group operates in 57 countries with a respected reputation.

Although the same poll found that 77 per cent think that Coalition MPs should be granted a conscience vote, I do agree with Ray that a plebiscite is more appropriate – the sooner the better.

The C/T poll is further supported by a 2014 Nielsen survey for the Liberal Party, which found just one in five Australians or 21 per cent opposed, marking Parliament as increasingly out of step with the views of most Australians.

Senator David Leyonhjelm sees this as a liberty issue; where you don’t have to approve of it, just the liberty to do so.

He said: ‘‘You don’t let your parents choose who you marry so it’s bizarre to let the government choose the gender of the person you marry.’’

Tony Abbott sees it differently. He says any amendment to the Marriage Act is a matter for the Coalition party room. That’s a bit of a worry.

Barbara Cattunar, Wollongong