Are we to believe the "scientists" paid by industry and pharmaceuticals or those whose research questions that "science," who is to decide? We seem to pick and choose who we want to believe. Dr Fauci, whom he mentioned, advised us originally we should not wear masks.

The hallmark of a free society is what happens to those who disagree with either their Government or even between each other in society. The old saying goes I may disagree with you but I will defend to the death your right to state your opinion. Tell me Dr Malouff, which has been the stronger motivation of men down through the ages, truth in science, or power and control?

David Smith, Inverell

Former NSW Greens candidate Peter Wills (Northern Daily Leader, 21 August) should come clean.

It is important the discussion about the proposed Hunter Gas Pipeline is anchored in facts, based on the proven track record of pipelines around the country and free from ideology, exaggeration and deliberate distortion. Developing energy resources and delivering them to the homes and business that rely upon them has underpinned regional economies for decades.

It must be done safely and sustainably and in collaboration with landholders and the broader community.

That collaboration is undermined by false and exaggerated claims such as contained in Mr Wills' letter last week. The pipeline we propose to build will be designed and constructed to minimise any impact on agriculture, including on the Liverpool Plains.

Farm machinery will be able to cross it without harming the machinery, the pipeline or the land. The gas it will deliver will give NSW a cleaner, more secure energy supply, including by enabling a switch from coal to gas in power generation.

This project has been in planning stages for many years, and the need for it has never been greater. We have given careful consideration to every aspect of its operation.

In coming months we will continue to consult with landholders and the community.

Garbis Simonian, Managing Director, Hunter Gas Pipeline

I wish to express my disapproval of a $3.3m taxpayer funded grant to Shine energy to conduct a feasibility study into a new coal-fired power station in north Queensland.

I am content that my tax dollar is spent to maintain a range of public services. Many of these I do not use myself, but appreciate there are those less fortunate than I and these services play a critical role in their daily lives.

I do, however, have an issue with my hard-earned tax dollar going towards out of date technology such as a coal fired power station. This form of power generation is no longer supported by investors or power companies and flies in the face of relying on a free and open market to determine where investment will generate the best return.

Concerns regarding the perceived high cost of moving to alternative energy sources and the disadvantage this would create for the poorer members of our society, in fact generate opportunity. Opportunity for individual communities to de-centralise power generation and ensure distribution is both fair and efficient. Energy experts have continued to demonstrate that wind and solar technologies are by far the cheapest form of new energy generation.

I encourage Federal energy minister, Angus Taylor and our local Member to end their anti-renewables rhetoric and their support for such wasteful projects that simply do not stack up economically or environmentally.

Dr Rob Lawrence, Tamworth

In all of the strange stories that elections seem to provide, either as a comment about one of the candidates or to distract from comments about one of the candidates, the weirdest is the reemergence of ones about President Trumps concerns about low pressure showers. These water saving devices were introduced as one of many environmental initiatives that the president doesn't seem too familiar with.

As he says, "You turn on the shower - if you're like me, you can't wash your beautiful hair properly". One of the few things I share with the president is beautiful but disappearing hair and I gave up on the comb-over a long time ago. Surely, he wouldn't need much more than a thimble of water to wash the remaining hair. Admittedly this also shouldn't be a great concern with the, hopefully, incoming President Biden although both VPs have decent amounts of hair.

Let's get back to serious reporting about serious issues and leave the fun stories to cat rescues or other positive matters.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne