A window exists between the upcoming by-election and the 2019 State election to swing the seat if only the Liberal Party would stand a reasonable candidate coupled with a significant investment in the electorate.

No independent or Labor candidate if elected could deliver for Wollongong whilst the Liberal Baird government is in power.

A good way forward would be for the State Liberals to promise five hundred million to be matched by the Federal government as the infrastructure needed for West Dapto.

And why not go to the next level and set up an infrastructure construction program similar to the Christchurch rebuilding program.

Works costed, controlled and managed by a specially convened corporation.  And provision that all contracts must employ at least 20 per cent of small business contractors.

With an investment of one billion dollars, the multiplier effect for Wollongong could be up to nine billion dollars.

Up to 60,000 new people to feed, house, cloth, work, socialise, commute, means jobs, jobs and more jobs.

Now, that’s a policy worth voting for. The Liberals just need to stand a business-thinking candidate behoved to the community, not the party.

Let’s stop talking about helping the steel industry, let’s do something. Mandate every new home in West Dapto shall be steel framed.

We just lost a golden opportunity in not have the new double decker trains manufactured in Australia. Let’s not make the same mistake.

Cr Greg Petty, Helensburgh

Since 2000, I have visited the Long Cross twice and each time, prior to entering that area, government officials have made clear the conditions of entry.

It was a bit like entering a private car park in Australia only a lot less legalistic and complicated.

Anyone familiar with the Australian veterans' scene would realise that some veterans disregarded these requirements during the 40th anniversary remembrances, failing to consider that the Vietnamese government and people may have different cultural and political perspectives to the events of the Vietnam war.  

Veterans failed to recognise that they were the guests in another's homeland and that common courtesy required that they at least respect their host's point of view even if in the past they had violent differences with them.

The “last minute cancellation” seems to indicate that the Australian government's approach to negotiating with the Vietnamese government has been as insensitive.

Ben Morris, Wollongong

I wish to respond to the comments made by Andrew Humphreys in his letter (Illawarra Mercury, 18 August, 2016).  First at no time did I criticise or vilify any Vietnam veteran and to suggest that I did is offensive.

Secondly if Mr Humphreys had read my letter he would see I acknowledged the human right violations of both sides including the Communists government of Vietnam.

However, Mr Humphreys is so concerned to push his conservative barrow he has failed to support or even comment on the merits or otherwise for some form of reconciliation to acknowledge the victims of this war.

At the same time he was ranting about the Vietnamese government we see old enemies sitting together for a meal to remember those on both sides, who died in the battle of Long Tan.

Ken Bone, Conjola Park