However, this was done on the advice of professionals, in urgent circumstances, and for public safety when it became clear that my office had to undergo maintenance repairs, which are taking considerably longer than expected.

I share Mr Knowles' frustration at the length of time the repairs are taking. I did my best to notify my constituents of the temporary relocation of my office through the local media and social media platforms.

 A notice has also placed on the front door of my office with a map to my temporary relocation at the Innovation Campus.

While the circumstances of the temporary relocation of my office pending the completion of the maintenance repairs is not ideal, I have expressed my regret for any inconvenience caused to my constituents.  

I also personally wrote to Mr Knowles.

I would also make the point that my office telephone number and email remain unchanged and my constituents continue to make contact with me.  

I hope it will not be too much longer before the maintenance work is completed and I can resume my office’s physical presence in Wollongong CBD again.

Paul Scully MP, Wollongong

In response to the page 9 article, "NSW opposition calls for review of gun laws" (Illawarra Mercury, Monday July 9, 2018),virtually on a daily basis we hear reports of murder.

While we have become accustomed to such barbaric behaviour, it is still regarded as a horrible crime particularly when children are involved.

Yet, politicians are comfortable with murder such as abortion and euthanasia. So, what is the problem?

We either respect the dignity of each human life or we do not? Each day in Australia over 300 unborn children die through abortion. But only a few people seem to care.

If you do an act of kindness to someone that person is more likely to be kind to another person.

However the opposite is true, if we do an act of violence to someone then that person is very likely to act violently towards others.

The bottom line is kindness begets more kindness while violence begets more violence.

And by accepting an innocent unborn child's life can be terminated through the barbaric act of abortion shows a society that is comfortable with violence on the most vulnerable.

Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow

The minimum wage for Australians increased by 3.5% from 1st July

Minimum wage now $719.20 per week

My wife and I get the full age pension we get $684.10 each week between us.

We pay the same for groceries, fuel, insurance on motor vehicles, private health, home and contents, clothing, council and water rates etc etc.

When is the government going to give us a manageable pay rise minimum wage increase was $24.30 a week

Our last increase in April was $10 per fortnight. Big difference

Terry Stretton, Dapto

TRANSPORT MINISTER TOLD TO ‘JUMP ABOARD’ SOUTH COAST LINE TRAIN

The Transport Minister is a gutless wimp who will never take up the challenge because he already knows the Illawarra South Coast Line is the worst in the state for a major provincial city intercity train service overcrowded and slow as snails.

_ Rollo