Mixed messages from Albanese on climate change

It is disingenuous for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to be telling Pacific leaders that “we cannot afford to let 1.5 degrees just slip from our grasp” (“Fire, cyclones, extreme heat: Albanese’s hellish summer forecast”, October 6). This bold statement does not fit with his government’s poor climate record, which includes approval of the 45-year extension for the NW Shelf gas project, approvals for 37 new coal and gas projects and rejection of a “climate trigger” in environmental legislation, all since taking office just four years ago. It would be far more honest for the PM to admit to our Pacific neighbours that, in addition to the large number of greenhouse-gas generating fossil fuel projects already approved, coal mines and gas fields have somehow found a new lease of life with the arrival of energy-hungry AI data centres, with some 160 already operational in Australia and some 200 proposed. It’s clear that with weak commitment to climate from Washington to Canberra, the villagers in Nepal, the Pacific Islands and other climate hotspots, are in for a dangerous future that they don’t deserve.Rob Firth, Red Hill Photo: It is a sad reality that economics almost always trumps the environment when it comes to political decision-making. Hence the reason why the federal government and its state counterparts continue to approve new fossil fuel projects, even though those projects are fuelling global warming. In the end, economics will see the demise of those very same projects as renewables increasingly outdo coal, gas and oil in terms of cost and performance. Will this happen quickly enough to save the planet for future generations? I would rather act now rather than wait to find out. Ken Enderby, ConcordI had to do a double take when I read that the prime minister has spoken of Australia’s hellish summer forecast warning that the coming dire conditions are a result of global emissions. And yet here we are. A major 19-year extension for the Hunter Valley operations has been approved and according to the Climate Council the Government has approved 37 fossil fuel projects since coming to power in May 2022. Stopping addiction to coal fuels is surely one step in the right direction but it seems the world needs coal more than it needs action to prevent the onset of its negative effects.Vicky Marquis, North SydneyTaylor looked like a leaderAs usual, the economists disagree with each other over immigration and its effect on the economy (Migration battle is looming for Taylor, October 7). The thing that impressed me the most about the policy release was the leadership displayed by Angus Taylor, his communication skills and authenticity. There is more business experience on the Coalition side than on the government side, but Labor has a better political machine. It is pleasing this time to see shadow ministers with considerable experience, such as Simon Kennedy and Andrew Hastie, speaking out to support their leader, who was also supported ably by Matt Canavan, the Nationals leader. This bodes well for the future of conservative parties in Australia.Vivienne Parsons, ThornleighThe commentary regarding the migration policies of both the Coalition and One Nation revolves around the manipulation of numbers without any serious discussion regarding the practicality of what is proposed. Are we to get an ICE type agency here to remove people who do not go voluntarily? In such circumstances, it was wise of Tony Burke to delay the government’s policy announcement until he was satisfied that any changes made would not damage the economy or upset international partners with whom we have existing agreements. As an example, we would be in breach of an existing agreement with India, entered into by the previous Coalition government, regarding international students. All agree that some downward adjustment in migration numbers is needed but the changes have to be both sensible and practical. This requires serious analytical work and not just political posturing. John Jones, ArmidaleOpposition Leader Angus Taylor and deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume.Louie DouvisAngus must have stayed up all night thinking of this policy to win an election for the advancement of Australia. If the economy was a body, migrants are the muscles that do the lifting. Wherever I go, it’s the new Australians doing 90 per cent of the physical work that needs to be done. I would prefer my tax dollars spent on what Australia needs for the future betterment of this land for all Australians. Terry Meller, WaverleyAlthough Labor has unfortunately fallen into the same anti-immigration quagmire, the right wing or more appropriately wrong wing LNP and the redhead’s No Notion seem to have missed a crucial point. Even Peter Costello realised that the population needed to grow – 25 years ago. And with the birth rate going down with interest, there’s only one solution. Not to mention that under our obligations to the UN Convention on Refugees and basic human rights, it is our fundamental duty to accept people from wherever – especially if we’ve been part of invading their countries.Tony Doyle, Fairy MeadowIt’s the stupid economyRoss Gittins is sort of on the right path, suggesting an alternative to interest rates as the tool solely used to fight inflation (“Trying to tame inflation with higher interest rates is dumb and unfair”, October 7). It is a blunt tool, but it is the only one the RBA has. As Gittins points out, governments used to play a role through taxation policy. That, too, is probably as blunt a tool, but being fiscally responsible is not. I’d suggest government is quite happy for the focus to have shifted to the RBA as it relieves them of this responsibility. No longer do they have to keep their house in order. Rather, as the last two decades have shown, they are happy to spend dollars they either have or borrowed to curry favour with electorate, who must bear some responsibility as the mantra “the government should do something” has become embedded. Balanced budgets, lower borrowings and productivity improvements will ensure the RBA is less called on to inflict pain through interest rate policy. If the past 20 years is any indication, the pain is not going to ease any time soon. Mike Kenneally, ManlyOur use of interest rates to control inflation is yet another respect in which our economic system is biased against the young.Dionne GainI have great respect for Ross Gittins, but at this stage I don’t know or what to believe when it comes to matters economic (“Taming inflation with higher rates dumb, unfair”, October 7). It seems everyone has an opinion on the recent rate rise. The government argues inflation is largely due to external factors, while the opposition and One Nation lay the blame squarely at Labor’s feet. We’ve heard the predictable opinions of the vested interest groups – big business, investors, mortgage holders and self-funded retirees. Mr Gittins has drawn our attention to a different aspect of interest rates, the legitimacy of using interest rates to manage inflation. In 1992, strategist James Carville coined the phrase “it’s the economy, stupid”. However, it seems no one fully understands the nature of economics. I certainly don’t. Graham Lum, North RocksAnother excellent article from Ross Gittins, but I think the answer to inflation is simpler and something he has previously recommended. To curb inflation, we need to curb spending, and the easiest way to do that is increase the GST. At 10 per cent, our value added tax is on the international low side and an increase would directly affect those spending the most (and those who can afford it), such as retirees with no mortgages, like myself. Essentials of daily life are free of GST, so this is less likely to affect the less well-off and would have the additional benefit of improving the federal budget bottom line. The only price to pay would be political and, unfortunately, I can’t see any of our current political parties recommending this poisoned chalice. Maybe a private members bill from the independents? Rowan Godwin, RozelleThe revelation of prohibited levels of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables is a real worry despite those levels ostensibly not a danger to consumers (Fruit and veg violating legal pesticide limits, October 7). First, people employed to apply the pesticides are exposed on a daily basis. Second, the tests are a one-off and take no account of the cumulative effect of consuming affected produce over time. Third, the discovery of “backyard growers” raises the plausibility of pesticide levels that may be way in excess of anything yet discovered, and account for a range of illnesses analogous with food poisoning but not identifiable as such. Frederick Jansohn, Rose BayAt least four violations of the APVMA’s maximum residue limits were detected during produce sampling.Getty ImagesAI rights callClinton Fernandes provides us with an elegant summation of our three options in regulating AI, (Coke and Pepsi conned us into believing litter was our fault. This AI trick is worse, October 7). The three options being the US market model, the Chinese authoritarian model or the EU model of protecting fundamental human rights and democratic structures, with some profit distribution to the public and smaller tech companies. I sincerely hope the EU model is adopted. This is a test of our societal system, which of late has been found to be a little ineffective in some areas, particularly bureaucratic obfuscation, over-regulation and downright slowness. Can our system operate more efficaciously in the case of AI regulation? Let’s hope so, since the alternatives certainly don’t look attractive. David Catchlove, NewportPrivate EV needs Government involvement in building EV chargers is, ladies and gentlemen, a classic case of socialising the costs of private needs (“Tesla and power giants revolt against Australia’s ’EV charger tax”, October 7).Peter Butler Wyongah NSWBenefits for allRugby Australia must use any windfall for the collective good of the game and all players, not squander a massive sum on any individual (“Players take swipe at Rugby Australia for penny-pinching,” October 7). I hope this is what the Rugby Union Players’ Association has in mind amid recent discussions. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters HillRichard MorecroftMorecroft’s ice testRichard Morecroft (Veteran ABC newsreader Richard Morecroft dies aged 70, October 6) kept the studio audience happy between takes when we made the ABC television series Mother and Son. He once told a story of a dare he accepted from the crew in the news studio to test his on-air composure. Richard read the news sitting at the desk, dressed in a jacket, shirt and tie. But below the desk he wore shorts and had bare legs and bare feet which were sitting in a bucket. Members of the crew were slowly and quietly filling the bucket with icy water. He read the news and as far as the audience at home could see, everything was normal. Geoffrey Atherden, MosmanWhat lovely news that Sarah McDonald is to return as presenter of the Afternoons program on ABC Sydney (“Axed presenter Sarah Macdonald to return to ABC 702 Sydney,” October 7). Now, if only she could persuade her friend Cathy Wilcox to return to the Herald, our days would be so much better. Adrian Avis, CammerayAfter waking to the very sad news of the death of ABC’s beloved Richard Morecroft, I was then heartened by the wonderful news of the return of Sarah Macdonald to ABC Sydney. A day of mixed emotions. Angie Miller, Bondi JunctionNo secrets The “secret oasis that is Hurlstone Park” is now likely to “disappear into the mists of time”, thanks Janet Argall (Letters, October 6) ​commenting on Marie Healy’s encomium (“HP still defying the urban sprawl,” October 6). For the record, Turramurra is a dreadful place to live. I would not recommend moving here to your readers. Ian Falconer, TurramurraCrinan Street at golden hour.Janie BarrettBack to Gonski With government debt needing to be controlled and many families genuinely struggling financially it is morally imperative that all schools be funded on the Gonski criteria (“Elite schools where average parents earn $500,000-plus”, October 7). Finland’s educational success is based on every child attending a well-funded local school. Funding elite private schools shows how much our society is based on inequality. John Cotterill, KingsfordGive Mary a break Mary Fowler is a delightful young lady who is an outstanding athlete and has done her teams proud in every way (“Matildas unaware as Fowler sits out”, October 7). Why then, are we having this media fuss about her taking time off for personal reasons? She is a person, not an object owned by her club. It has been obvious that too much club/coach pressure can severely impact on young players. Mary is very sensibly putting her own wellbeing first.Marjie Williamson, BlaxlandLottery of life Christa Pike’s Lazarus-like escape from the jaws of a failed execution attempt has unsurprisingly been classified as “medically unprecedented” (“Christa Pike awake and speaking after botched Tennessee execution”, October 7). Even more unprecedented is whether Pike’s recovery means she will be legally subjected to a second execution attempt. Under the US Constitution, anyone who survives such an attempt is not freed from their original capital conviction, leaving their death warrant fully in force. However, under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against any malicious punishment, Pike’s life could still be spared. But given capital punishment is authorised in just 27 out of 50 US states, why should anyone at all be legally subjected to this illicit lottery that arbitrarily determines whether they are to live or die?Vincent Zankin, Rivett (ACT)Seats of evidenceDespite evidence to the contrary, Donald Trump rages at The New York Times for daring to suggest there were empty seats at a recent rally in Ohio (“Trump drops public-funded ad after backlash,” October 7). He claims such media outlets “should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our country”. Dishonesty and disservice to the country would have had him arrested from day one of his presidency and the overt vulgarity of a man holding his high office is almost inconceivable. The majority of decent Americans must surely feel mortified by his constant unseemly behaviour and I hope it can be at least subdued after the coming midterm elections. Bernard Moylan, BronteTo submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.