If he'd listened to David Shoebridge's speech he'd realise the bill is designed to support the steel industry as we move towards a low carbon future.

Steel is a strategic industry needed for infrastructure and renewable technology. It is hugely important for the Illawarra economy and community. 

Yes at present steel manufacturing requires coal.

The Greens remain opposed  to mining under water catchments.

We do expect our local coking coal will continue to be used for steelmaking in the short term.

 But there are carbon-free alternatives being developed.

Responsible  manufacturers and the Minerals Council should be putting their efforts in this direction rather than trying to grow the discredited fossil fuels sector.

Helen WIlson, Bulli

In his letter of August 25, councillor Greg Petty has gifted the Government a blueprint to deliver a swinging seat to Wollongong.

The Government needs to fund this fool proof plan, then choose an articulate and charismatic person from the huge pool available in the Illawarra to deliver the message.

They need to convince the people to vote with their heads rather than their traditions, if they want the region and its residents to flourish.

The millions already being invested by the government on infrastructure need to be matched now on this blueprint by Greg Petty.

Colleen Heininger, Dapto

According to recent statistics, Australia has the second highest level of poverty among retirees.  

In Australia, the percentage of retirees living below the poverty line is 35.5.  This is due to an immature pension system.

I’d suggest this government find another way of overhauling the pension system.  

I appreciate the fact that the present treasurer doesn’t want his kids to see a recession, but, if the truth were known, if his kids did see a recession, they wouldn’t be in an income bracket where a recession would affect them.  

I also appreciate the fact that a recession affects everyone, but it affects everyone differently.  

There’s a big difference between being made redundant due to a recession and getting another job the very next week, and being made redundant near the end of one’s working life and being behind the eightball financially for the rest of your life, and having to depend upon the pension as a solitary income.  

It is the latter, rather than the former, for whom the pension was originally set up.

Matthew Nicholson, Avondale

As the vast majority of Australians do not attend church regularly, the most rational response to the push for marriage equality would be to remove anything to do with marriage from religious authorities and place it where it belongs - with the state.  

That way we could avoid a costly and potentially divisive plebiscite by having our elected officials change the wording of the Marriage Act to reflect the human rights of all citizens to enter relationships known as marriages with people of their choice, presided over by a public official.

 Churches could then perform whatever ceremonies they wish to, and call the relationships of the people involved in those ceremonies whatever names they wish, without infringing on the human rights of the rest of us.

Jennie Morris, Wollongong