The Joyce is yours.Matt Golding
After denying the reality of climate change,and opposing and delaying the transition to renewable energy for a decade,the Nationals are now calling for all renewable energy projects in regional areas to be stopped (“,February 8). They must realise that our coal-fired power plants are being closed and must be replaced with something,and as usual they are offering no solutions,only opposition. There are so many economic and environmental advantages for regional areas in providing,installing and maintaining renewable solar and wind equipment,as well as the national security benefits of electrification of vehicles that carry essential supplies,including farmers’ produce. The sooner we can electrify our networks with free and unlimited solar,wind and hydro energy,the safer we will be. The Nationals need to put some of their old bulls out to pasture,be part of the solution,or risk becoming a party of irrelevance.Alan Marel,North Curl Curl
I was not among those in Canberra protesting the proposal to place hundreds of wind turbines on thousands of square kilometres of largely untouched Australian marine habitat. However,I fully support their message that offshore wind is not needed in Australia where low population densities mean there is ample space onshore near population centres and heavy industry which have adequate wind capacity factors. It is nonsensical to build infrastructure in the ocean at twice the cost of onshore wind farms and which will take twice as long to come online as onshore wind would. I am well aware of the urgent need to transition to renewable energy and wholeheartedly support the grand plan to get there,except for the offshore wind initiative. We would get better value from onshore infrastructure which has a 30-year lifespan compared to a 20-year lifespan offshore.Cherylle Stone,Soldiers Point
Where is the Nationals concern for the farmers as 16 new coal mines still march across NSW and the Hunter in particular? Where is the Nationals concern for all the farmers about to be impacted by the Narrabri coal seam gas project? Where is the Nationals concern for whales when there is oil and gas drilling off the coast. Oil spills can do far more damage than a wind farm. Where was their concern for the environment when they insisted unsustainable native logging continue,especially following devastating bush fires? I wonder where all the concern came from. It seems like pure hypocrisy to me.Peggy Fisher,Manly
Your writers to ignored the growing problems faced by countries that have raced pell-mell towards energy renewals,only to now find themselves having to import record amounts of electricity from other countries (“”,February 8). The UK forked out billions of dollars on buying electricity from neighbouring countries in 2023. If Australia races headlong into solar and wind power,while tossing out all the current reliable sources of power,and ignoring the value of nuclear power,the proverbial could easily hit the hideous giant fans very quickly. Australia is an island,with no close neighbours capable of filling any power shortfalls for us.Kate Foot,Concord
The National Party’s rejection of renewables leaves regional communities with little to be Proud of,nothing to re-Joyce and out-Priced on environmental issues.Rod Bartlett,Woonona
Negative gearing causes huge damage to social fabric
The calls for review of negative gearing and capital gains discount are getting louder with David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie joining Allegra Spender and the Greens in lobbying for action (“”,February 8). The losses to budgets have been enormous but the damage to the social fabric has been even worse with young people shut out of the housing market. Whether Labor has the spine for this fight is uncertain but a national summit with all tax including GST on the table might get them over the line.Gary Barnes,Mosman
We can only hope that Anthony Albanese is biding his time for an improved election outcome before facing up to negative gearing,which currently benefits members of both major parties. Lambie and Pocock are rightly proposing changes which will help all those seeking to own a home of their own. Sadly,Peter Dutton,who is seemingly also negatively geared,will just rant and speak nonsense,merely to disrupt any government agenda,with no thought at all for any public good.Donald Hawes,Peel
Illustration:Matt Golding
A property investment only becomes “negatively geared” when the annual expenses exceed the income from the property. Current tax policy allows this excess to be claimed as a loss against income from other sources like wages and salaries. An arguably better policy would be to force this loss to be carried forward to future tax years,for example as an addition to the property’s cost base or as an offset against future income when the property eventually becomes positively geared. Alternatives like this should not be contentious if they can be explained correctly.Bruce Watson, Balmain East
When I owned an investment property in a rather pleasant Queensland coastal town,I could write off travel,accommodation and living expenses for my annual trip to visit the agent and examine the property. At the time (I was financially stretched) I thought this was fair reward for my enterprise. Now,with the wisdom of hindsight,I see that it was a largely undeserved “lurk” — even a rort.Douglas Mackenzie,Deakin (ACT)
Negative gearing did not cost the federal government $24 billion last year,it cost the taxpayers $24 billion. The government should disclose a list of every politician who owns investment properties.Lizzy McLean,Bilgola
Twenty-four billion dollars to fund negative gearing;money that could make life so much better for those that don’t get the opportunity to own taxpayer subsidised investment properties. Labor and Liberal landowners,please note:given the Greens’ and the independents’ stance on negative gearing,they are starting to look like a wonderful electoral alternative.Barry Ffrench,Cronulla
Negative gearing has long been the Voldemort of tax reform for the two major parties,so 10 house points to Lambie and Pocock for daring to speak its name.Colin Stokes,Camperdown
Mortgages hinder birth rate
Caitlin Fitzsimmons hits the nail on the head (“”,February 8). In our scenario,also with a mortgage debt of more than $800,000,successive interest rate rises have led to more than 41 per cent of our combined incomes going to mortgage repayments from an initial base of 30 per cent. While I am allegedly a high-income earner,my take-home pay,like that of many new homeowners,is also instantly reduced due to an outstanding HECS (or HELP) debt,while our separate requests to our employers for a pay rise to match the new cost of living were rejected. In this scenario,a second child,with mortgage repayments so high,is a distant dream. A rate cut is desperately called for by most Australians,if only to keep the population at an acceptable level. Interest rates and birth rates are by no means mutually exclusively.Renee Chartres,Cremorne
Reforms kept quiet
Like the mayor of Fairfield and many of my neighbours in leafy Oatley (currently protected by a foreshore scenic protection zone),I am also hyperventilating (“”,February 8). The government quietly released these reforms in the week before Christmas,when the bulk of Sydneysiders had their minds on the festive season and holidays,and with minimal,if any,advertising. At very least,the government should embark on a major publicity campaign and extend the submissions closing date for one month.Peter Mahoney,Oatley
There will be an avalanche of councils and residents opposing the Minns planning “reforms” which have been devised by developers for the benefit of developers. The plans are so broad and pattern-book that almost every neighbourhood from Newcastle to Shoalhaven will be adversely affected by some dodgy build right next door to anyone,up to six storeys in many areas,regardless of lot size or frontage. The proposals include over-riding local planning controls and “non-refusal” standards,as well as applying the changes to heritage conservation areas. Unbelievably,there is no guarantee this will increase supply or affordability,and there is no commitment to increasing developer contributions for local infrastructure or affordability,but the plans are sure to wreck the diversity,uniqueness,local character and amenity of all our favourite places.Marie Healy,Hurlstone Park
Dogs not the problem
Given the choice between people and their pets on public transport,I’d always choose pets ahead of their inconsiderate,irresponsible owners. As recent correspondents have noted (,February 8),pets do not need to present a problem as long as basic courtesies are observed. Sydney and Melbourne may not be in Vienna’s league regarding reliance on efficient and readily accessible public transport,but the pets are much the same – only the people’s attitudes are different. A lesson there from the “world’s most livable” city?Jenifer Nicholls,Armadale (Vic)
Should dogs be allowed on Sydney public transport?John Shakespeare
Pedestrians still behind
Your article fails to mention Australia’s largest and most vulnerable road user group:pedestrians (“”,February 7).
In 2005,the Herald reported that bullbars would be banned on all new vehicles in all EU countries from January 2006. It stated that “Britain’s Transport Research Laboratory estimates (it) will prevent almost 140 deaths and more than 1500 injuries among British pedestrians and cyclists each year.”
In 2024,Australia has done absolutely nothing about adopting the European Frontal Protection Standards,where we continue to favour protecting metal over life and limb.Harold Scruby,CEOPedestrian Council of Australia Limited
Hamas support hateful
Your correspondents Sarah Schwartz and Max Elliott Kaiser claim that legitimate political expressions of solidarity with Palestinians,criticism of Israel and criticism of Zionism as a political ideology are conflated by the “Israel lobby” to equate to antisemitism (“”,February 7).
I do not consider myself as part of the Israel lobby,whatever that is. However,one must be careful to dissect genuine concern for the welfare of Palestinians from open support for the actions of Hamas. The two are completely divergent and do not even intersect.
Further,as the two authors have said,they are descendants of Jews who fled violence,horror and racism. So am I. I listened when my parents talked reluctantly about growing up in Nazi Berlin.
The NSW Police recently claimed they found no evidence of the phrase “gas the Jews” at the Opera House demonstration within 48 hours of the massacre of 1200 Israelis and others. The expert engaged by the police said “where’s the Jews?” was chanted,a phrase which has the attributes of the mobs from the pogroms committed over past centuries in some European and Middle Eastern countries.
One does not have to be part of any lobby to call this out. One can legitimately criticise the actions of the government of Israel,as in fact millions of Israelis do every day,and no one suggests that they are antisemitic. I cannot speak for all,but I am sure that there is genuine concern over this war and the large number of deaths of Palestinians and Israelis. It is support for Hamas which is so reprehensible. Fair criticism of Israel is legitimate,support for Hamas is not.Dennis Bluth,Cammeray
More to life than work
The right to switch off is not just about the rights of an employee;it is about our need as human beings to rest and relate in contexts other than work (“”,February 8). Technology should be a tool,not our master.Philip Cooney,Wentworth Falls
Halting half-hour
A heck of a long way to come for 30 minutes with your father (“”,February 8) and not much of an example of a family. Where did Harry go then? To a hotel?Heather Johnson,West Pennant Hills
Precious program
Vale Ian Lavender (“,February 8). And ValeDad’s Army. What a wonderful unique comedy it was. When my young daughter couldn’t sleep,we’d play an episode and she’d settle like a baby.Katriona Herborn,Blackheath
Not so brolly good
A giant umbrella to help shade the Earth and cool it (“”,February 8). What a great idea. But how soon before I see my favourite hardware store or luxury car logos on it?Manbir Singh,Kohli Pemulwuy
Real script hero
Well done,Sarah Snook (“”,February 8). That said,everyone who saw the Sydney production knows the reason this play is in London was the outstanding solo performance of Eryn Jean Norvill that turned a script into a stunning reality.Michael Berg Randwick
King younger than some
Your correspondent makes the ageist comment that King Charles at 75 is way past his peak as a leader (Letters,February 8). I wonder what he has to say about the leadership in the US,with both Joe Biden and Donald Trump making Charles look like a spring chicken.Ross MacPherson,Seaforth
The Tay Tay and Travis show
I love Peter FitzSimons’ pitch (,February 8). Who will stream the blockbuster? When does it launch? Who will be cast as the protagonists?Lorraine Hickey,Green Point
Images and footage of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce kissing have gone viral.AP
I’d like to be labelled a “tight end” like the US footballer Travis Kelce. Has a certain ring to it (pun intended). Unfortunately,that term now eludes me at age 80,but one does one’s best.Judy Finch,Taree
Being reckless
I’ll never forget as a young 21-year-old,sneaking into the ANU refectory in Canberra to see whatever band was on. On stage was an Adonis in tight jeans and white singlet “controlled yelling” songs (“”,February 8). That was 47 years ago. James Reyne won my heart that night.Angie Miller,Bondi junction
Great memories
Ah,Croudace Bay! We learned to swim there in the 1950s,walking around the shore from Valentine (,February 8). A restless mob of cousins. Our mums young and laughing in bright cotton sundresses and our dads muscular and strong. But in relation to your letter,Macquarie Fields High School choir sing our anthem in First Nations language followed by the same stanza in English. It is always received with silent awe and appreciation.Patricia Grocholsky,Minto