The result will almost certainly reflect what we already know from an unbroken line of reputable opinion polls. Australians overwhelmingly support marriage equality.  

Mitchell Gordon, Wollongong

Australians clear more land and destroy more natural habitat than any other country in the developed world.

Illawarra residents can help reduce this calamity through planting native bush species in their gardens and around their homes.

Instead of building McMansions to the property lines and then introduce succulents and gravel so there is no habitat nor food for displaced native species, it would be advantageous to all concerned parties if, instead, people planted local shrubs, bushes and small trees.

They not only provide food, but also hiding and nesting places for the many birds who need bush cover to survive.

Native plants require next to no attention and bushes quickly spread to cover areas otherwise seeded with lawn. Hence, there is no need to mow, or blow: saving time, energy and noise.

The beauty of sharing a world full of songbirds is worth questionable cost of creating gardenless deserts. If every residence made an effort the Illawarra could enjoy its rich but threatened native species.

Lori Lebow, Austinmer

In response to the  article by Andrew Pearson, "Fighting for the future" (Illawarra Mercury, May 2, 2016), "Gonski" and fighting for the future just does not pass muster.

The truth is Gonski under the Gillard Labor-Green government was not properly funded from the start.

Gillard and Swan move quickly transferring $2 billion from university funding to the Gonski legislation which is required if it is to be presented in the parliament.

In addition, Gonski really "only" benefits public schools.

This is typical of socialism which has had a hit list on private and Catholic schools since the Whitlam days.

What the supporters of Gonski education reforms do not appreciate and/or ignore is that buckets of money will not solve out poor literacy and numeracy standards.

Indeed the past decade has seen huge amounts of money put into education with no learning benefit to students.

What is needed is quality education, but marxists are only interested with indoctrination of students into atheistic socialism.

Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow

Tax cuts for the well off and services and benefits cut to the majority of Australians.

Then Turnbull claims Labor is starting  class warfare.

I would say it’s a bit rich but Turnbull, Morrison and mates are already extremely rich.

Doug Steley, Heyfield

I read that the NRL has rubbed out Korbin Simms for the Fijian test but has ignored the Paul Gallen forearm to the face of an opposing player and are allowing him to play for Australia.

This NRL is just one inconsistency after another and this man Gallen seems to always be at the right end of it.

I remember a couple of seasons ago when he was needed for a State of Origin game he was just let off so he could play. 

And let’s not forget the taking of peptides and the normal two-year sentence was reduced to only three matches for this “star of our game”.

The inconsistencies are forever there for everyone to see and the league should start and have the same rule for everyone.

Bob Manskie, Sanctuary Point