I realise the rebuilding of the ocean pool was dependent on weather and tides and is now finally complete.  However, the repaving outside the Austibeach Cafe took several months to be finished.

Now, just as the swimming season has commenced, the grass and seating areas right at the beach have been completely dug up and new brick paving and concrete pads are being laid at a snail's pace.  I assume the grassed section will be replanted although it looked fine before.  

Please can this process be sped up?  

Joan Padgett, Austinmer

Regarding Alan Cherrington's letter (Illawarra Mercury, November 2, 2016) in relation to the Himalaya arrival Port Kembla, he is indeed correct. She was on a world cruise first port of call Port Kembla for fuel and stores.

No, she was not the largest liner afloat and was small compared to Oriana, Canberra, QE2  with the largest one class liner in the world at the time being the Australis.

Also calling into Port Kembla at the time during the fuel crisis of 1973-74 was the Fairstar and Fairsky however passengers were not allowed to disembark or embark. The CTC liner Alexandar Pushkin called in during the 80's for a medical emergency.  

I worked on the Port Kembla waterfront for 32 years and can now say I have had the privilege  of being able to sail into my home port on the Radiance of the Seas - sorry you may have missed out but our group of 16 had a ball. Thank you to all concerned.

You all did a great job. Not one negative  comment did I hear from  fellow passengers who had come from USA, Canada, India, NZ, UK that I had met during the cruise.

This is just the beginning - a high example you have set - keep it up and reap the rewards. Thank you again it was a wonderful day - one I will remember  for a long time.

Ian Laughlin-Young, Dapto

The Wall Street Journal ran an article this week finally acknowledging that the UK government can never run out of money – which leaves no room for doubt.

The journalist Jon Sindreu wrote that: “Among facts that take a stubbornly long time to sink in, here’s one: Countries that borrow in their own currencies never have to default on their debt”.

The author went on to sayL “Mainstream pundits thought the Brexit vote would see foreigners sell in large quantities. They didn’t. Exactly the opposite happened. Why? Because Britain is a developed country with liquid financial markets that issue debt in its own currency. Unlike Spain or Greece, which could certainly run out of euro’s, the U.K. can always print more pounds”.

How long does it take for Australian politicians and journalists to acknowledge that Australia is also a monetary sovereign? Meaning that the government has absolute power over its own currency.

The government is the monopoly issuer of its own currency and can honour its liabilities whenever they fall due, in their own currency. They can never go bust.

How long will the Australian government persist in penalising the disadvantaged to the benefit of their Corporate bosses?

Don Kelly.  Kanahookao

I read with interest comments from Paul Scully on just what a good member he will be for the people of Wollongong. I have been a member of the ALP for many years, both in NSW and Queensland. I have watched many colourful and many parliamentary members sail close to the wind morally, and legally.

Hold onto your hats for a wild ride if Scully and his crew are successful at election time. 

Leaeann Crawford, Bongaree