the darkness intensifies,

it does not lighten,

mystery still pervades hidden crevasses.

You do not understand

the loss of innocence,

the wheels of justice

not clear but murkied.

Minds set so hard

nothing dislodges,

must truth suffer

the ultimate death?

Time said to be the healer

but how can it be,

when those most affected

will be dead in 2071 !!!

The stains of the

Port Arthur Massacre

still weep, still grow,

intensifying as years pass.

The pain still so raw

nothing can be spoken,

shadows engulfing

a world hidden.

So much destroyed,

So much lost,

Innocence wrapped in

Pieces Of The Heart.

Remembering 28^th April, 1996 - Julie Butler

In response to the letter from John Rumble (Friday 23rd April), I think he will find that most of his "climate change alarmists" would more accurately be described as people who are 'justifiably alarmed' about climate change. An alarmist exaggerates a danger. It would be hard to exaggerate the dangers of global warming. The science says there is no doubt that we are facing a climate emergency.

Wind turbines do require energy for their manufacture, currently from coal. However, their carbon payback time is only of the order of 6-9 months. Regarding the visual impact, I doubt that many younger people would complain about it. After all, they know that they are the ones who will be most affected by the worsening climate effects of a warming planet. We put up with ugly power lines, and I think most people will cope with the sight of wind turbines.

Coal has its own disadvantages too, apart from being a primary driver of human-induced global warming. The visual impact of huge open-cut coal mines is not very pleasant. The noise of umpteen coal trains each day must drive many inhabitants in the Hunter Valley mad. If I stop at a rest stop in Muswellbrook, the noise from kilometre-long coal trains travelling at slow speed is particularly irritating for the (approx) 3 minutes they take to pass by, and the warning train horn is deafening at close range. I feel sorry for residents of towns such as Scone and Muswellbrook who have to put up with the noise pollution of passing coal trains. Coal dust gets into the atmosphere in enormous quantities - the amounts are mind-boggling. The dust causes significant health problems, from lung disease to heart attacks and strokes, as well as being a significant physical nuisance.

Tim Robilliard, Tamworth

Congratulations to Mark Latham, Leader of One Nation in NSW, in standing up for the employees in the mining and manufacturing industries in the Upper Hunter.

This is in direct contrast to the Liberal Party's Matt Kean policy 100 pr cent renewable electricity road map, where the Liberals are trying to outflank the Greens on climate change. Mark recently visited the Muswellbrook Steel Supplies , which employs 21 people and supplies steel for mining, rural ,construction and manufacturing in the local area. It was also pointed out that MSS sources steel from BlueScope which is based at Port Kembla.

This is an integrated system, however BlueScope could have serious problems of its own , if it cannot obtain the necessary volume of coking coal from the local Dendrobium coal mine. It is imperative that the Dendrobium mine extension be approved. Blue Scope is also labouring under a cost burden regarding electricity prices.

In the United States where BlueScope is involved, the company pays on average 15 US per KW hour, whilst in Australia the cost is 25 US per KW hour. BlueScope is a 24 hour operation and needs a regular and affordable supply of electricity, they cannot stop operations when the sun goes down or the wind does not blow.

John Rumble, Albion Park

Got an opinion - have your say, send a letter to the editor.

Mike Hayes' op ed is spot on ("Tonight's dinner party topic: climate change" 26/4).

It appears far more convenient for Scott Morrison to deflect and cast blame on inner city people for wanting urgent action on climate.

He seems to have forgotten that it is our agricultural industry, predominantly in rural areas, who are in the frontline of experiencing the effects of climate change.

The climate crisis affects us all regardless of where we live, and is an existential threat to our existence.

Rural or city, we must unite in our mutual goal to push for urgent and genuine climate action from the Australian government.

Our livelihoods, health and future depend on it.

Amanda Carlon, North Tamworth