No wonder it is a popular ballooning venue with all the hot-air continually leaking from within the walls of parliament.

There is enough of the stuff floating around Canberra to keep the balloons up indefinitely.

When are we going to see some real action on these very important issues such as:  

It is noted that some of these issues come under state as well as federal government but I think we get the drift.

Using the threat of higher taxes to solve these issues does not work. Australia is one of the highest taxed nations in the world and we as taxpayers should see  more bang for our buck.

These are but a few of the many issues that could be addressed quite effectively if we had more co-operation within our political system rather than procrastination.

Meanwhile, the hot-air balloons still hover over Canberra.

Steven Thomas, Shellharbour

On returning from a medical appointment at Miranda in Sydney we caught the 4pm train service at Sutherland Station to return to Minnamurra.

The four carriage train was packed with workers in fluoro vests, with people including ourselves lying or standing in the aisles and vestibules and sitting on the steps.

Many of these people put up with this every day for what can be over a two hour trip.

Approaches by others to Gareth Ward, Member for Kiama, to increase the number of carriages, have fallen on deaf ears.

His Government seems more intent on spending billions on football stadiums and toll roads to add to the traffic chaos.

Being in our late seventies, we can’t risk the same experience and will be forced to drive in future, when we would much prefer to travel by public transport.

Barry Spooner, Minnamurra

Why does Australia have to provide coal power to millions of Indian people via the Adani coal mine, at the expense of the rape and pillage of its own land?

A probable reason is that too many descendants of people who have migrated to this country, post 1788, have no identification or love for the land they are living on, ie, the earth, waters and air that supports them.

Elsa Story, Woonona

Simon French is absolutely correct.

Our Illawarra escarpment is something really unique, unusual and rare.

Not just for its elevation and proximity to Wollongong, but for its rainforest plants and animals, steep slopes, mossy creeks and fragile soils.

Tourists and locals visit Mt Keira and the escarpment to stroll, hike, birdwatch, take photos, or just peacefully enjoy the spectacular scenery.

As a cyclist too I’m sure that mountain biking is great fun – in the right place.

But the tourism industry and our politicians would be short-sighted indeed to spoil or destroy the distinct and recognised natural and heritage values of the Illawarra escarpment for the sake of a quick buck.

Sam Garrett-Jones, Thirroul