This government does not have a mandate for more coal mines. More people are in favour of strong climate action than in favour of coal mining expansion. Especially when the climate damage it causes comes with tax avoidance, taxpayer subsidies and damage to artesian water.

This government has understated the threat to Australia of climate change, misrepresented the relative costs of coal and renewable power, and presented a "coal or nothing" choice to regional Queensland. You cannot claim a mandate if you have misled the voters.

Electricity benefits people in India. But this does not mean that the electricity needs to come from coal. Renewable power plus storage is cheaper.

Australia does not have sole influence over the climate. But that does not mean we have no influence. We are the worlds largest coal exporter and a major renewables power. We are big enough to influence decisions about how power is generated in the world, and hence influence how hot and dry our country gets.

Rowan Huxtable, Mangerton

You should of seen the 10.42 Kiama to Sydney train on Saturday. I boarded a four-car carriage from Wollongong and we struggled to get on.

Then we proceeded to North Wollongong and it got worse we all struggled standing up on full fare. Then we got to Thiroul and it was complete madness. I won't even mention Helensburgh and the rude people from Sutherland.

My advice to people who suffer from claustrophobia, do not catch four-carriage trains from Wollongong to Sydney. It's a joke factory.

Matty Ryan, Fairy Meadow

In response to the letter by Barry Swan 'Join the Club' (Illawarra Mercury, Thursday June 13, 2019.), a few points Mr Swan. Firstly, you take issue with Mr Richard Burnett and myself having an opinion regarding your character. But don't you "Mr Swan" have an opinion about our character which you frequently express?

Secondly, Mr Swan gives the impression he supports the opinion of other people and links this to a free society. Really? Yet, in the same-sex marriage debate Mr Burnett, myself and other conservative -Christians were belittled, insulted and accused of hatred all because we stood up for God, marriage/family and rights of children by the likes of Mr Swan and others who supported the redefinition of marriage to justify homosexuality and other unnatural lifestyles.

Thirdly, Mr Swan has long referred to me as the "usual suspect" which is fine, if he cannot spell my name? Let me assure Mr Swan, that I will always put my name at the bottom of my letters and that I will stand by words and defend my opinion.

Adrian Devlin, Fairy Meadow