Long-time nuclear nations shut down reactors as local debate rages

The headline on Sean Kelly’s article sums up the Coalition’s current tactics (“Dutton’s nuclear spin is an alibi,not a policy”,March 18). Their internal climate wars have become mute:where once net zero by 2050 provoked anger,especially from the Nationals,its 2030 emissions reduction target (26-28 per cent) is now so absurd no-one in the party can pretend they are serious about emissions reduction. At the National Party’s annual conference last September,party leader David Littleproud struggled to quell the call to scrap the 2050 target. Asked if it should be abandoned,he said,“not at this stage unless there’s some other alternative”. Enter nuclear. The nuclear card gives unsuspecting voters a shiny new vision,where nothing needs to be done now about troublesome fossil fuel emissions. We can have “technology not taxes” because nuclear is cheap and can be delivered “within six to ten years”,according to energy spokesman Ted O’Brien. But voters are suspicious,and want policy,not spin.Fiona Colin,Malvern East (Vic)

Can Peter Dutton or other pro-nuclear advocates please explain why countries like Germany and Japan are now decommissioning and closing down their already well-established nuclear power reactors. I believe it’s the danger.​Peggy Fisher,Manly

The federal government should begin a feasibility study for the construction of a nuclear power station in Peter Dutton’s electorate,as a gesture of cooperation on this matter.Kevin Wilkinson,Arakoon

The Liberals are calling for a mature debate on nuclear energy. In return we want a mature debate on green renewable energy. Their replacements must read the best-available science on global warming and the safest,fastest and cheapest alternatives to coal,to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.Howard Charles,Annandale

Unlike many of your correspondents,I see the current fixation on nuclear energy by Peter Dutton and his Liberals as a sign that they are finally getting the idea of sustainability,that is,something that doesn’t need to be maintained,repaired or refuelled. While most policies about non-fossil fuelled power and vehicles will have to be revised and changed in the near future as the current workable technology develops,when it comes to safe and affordable nuclear power,it is always going to be about another 20 years away. Hence,a pro-nuclear policy is sustainable,in that it doesn’t need to be changed in response to real-world developments. So nuclear power is a truly “sustainable” policy,with a half-life of at least 20 years.Garry Dalrymple,Earlwood

Like the call for a second referendum on the Voice,Dutton’s plan for nuclear energy in Australia is an empty promise. This is clearly a delaying tactic to stall the shift to clean energy.Anne O’Hara,Wanniassa (ACT)

I am sick of reading endless letters from nuclear naysayers. There seems to be a misunderstanding of both the full system costs and overseas experience of this technology. Whilst each new reactor is initially expensive,the final cost to consumers over time is much cheaper. That is why many countries,both poor and wealthy,from Bangladesh to Canada are now embarking on new builds. We too should look at this vital ultra-low emissions technology in addition to a contribution from renewables.Ann Parker,Berrima

Labor fearful of crossing swords over taxation

It is tragic that in Australia bi-partisan agreement between the major parties on taxation and rent-seeking reform is almost impossible (“Rent-seekers put their hands out as budget looms”,March 18). Certainly many tax and grant rorts need to be trimmed for the benefit of the budget and improved government services,but with a wafer-thin majority in the lower house and an election on the horizon,Labor is understandably fearful of crossing swords with any group,particularly if backed by a powerful union. John Howard’s GST demonstrated that taxation reform is possible,but considering that a number of marginal seats may be placed in jeopardy,a necessary criterion was a healthy majority in the lower house. The other alternative would be minority government supported by the Greens which would have no trouble encouraging,in fact forcing,taxation and rent-seeking reform.
Geoff Harding,Chatswood

Your correspondents’ call for the prime minister to abolish negative gearing (Letters,February 22),whilst well-intentioned,will ultimately go unheeded. The Labor Party went to both the 2016 and 2019 elections with the promise to limit negative gearing and to halve capital gains tax. The Coalition government of the time and the property and construction industries fiercely and loudly resisted these proposed reforms. The Australian people were told by these rent-seekers that such changes would be the downfall of us all and the scare tactics worked. Only after ditching these contentious policies was Labor returned to office,wise in hindsight - that if you wanted to govern and continue to do so,you have to give the people what they think they want,not what you think is right.William Galton,Hurstville Grove

My key take from Ross Gittins’ piece is that the government lacks courage. I refer readers to the Wharf Revue’sLooking For Albanese show’s words:“Do nothing!”.Aidan Cuddington,Umina Beach

I’m sure you wouldn’t disagree,Ross Gittins,but the problem is that we’ve all become self-interested economic units. Any sense of a community has to wait for a natural disaster. This is not helped by the apparent need for our decision-makers to cosy up to the rich and famous who have,of course,their own rent-seeking agenda.Greg Baker,Fitzroy Falls

“Work on this year’s budget has started. Welcome to rent-seekers central.” Thank you,Ross Gittins for telling us how it is. It is a pity no-one is listening.Ray Ceccato,Adamstown Heights

Why psychiatrists should make their services cheaper

Well may psychiatrists have “deep concern” about severe workforce shortages in mental health services when they are part of the problem (“Mental health care waitlist crisis”,April 18). For years psychiatrists through their influence have made sure that other mental health professionals have limited access to providing care. Psychologists,social workers and others are funded through Medicare for 10 sessions,which is barely enough time to establish a therapeutic relationship. Mental health nurse practitioners,an untapped resource,are not legislated to provide funded care at all. If psychiatrists were genuinely concerned about improving mental health services they would reduce their fees and acknowledge the contribution of other professionals,particularly nurse practitioners.
Patricia Farrar,Concord

The sooner governments recognise the cost burden on our healthcare system that poorly managed mental health significantly contributes to,the better. Poorly managed mental health has many comorbidities – obesity and eating disorders,drug addiction,alcoholism just to name a few. Having to wait more than three months for an appointment (if you find someone to take you) and then cough up $450 for the first appointment and $280 for each subsequent appointment creates further hopelessness for a person who is already at their lowest ebb. This has been my family’s experience.
Lisa Del Vecchio,South Coogee

Weird mob

We’re a weird species believing we can live independently of the earth’s supportive resources (“Population rise to fend off recession”,March 18). For all other species,should their populations increase to a point where nature’s carrying capacity is tested,then their numbers go into a recession. Whereas we believe that an ever-increasing population will cunningly fend off a recession. We need to take greater stock of how the world really works.Steve Dillon,Thirroul

Once again the brilliant minds manipulating our economy and determining the quality of our society fall back on population growth. Really? Is this the best they can do? What will they do in decades to come when we’ve populated so much that there is standing room only?Peter Thompson,Grenfell

Compulsory cover

In 2011,the federal government introduced legislation that forced insurers to cover flood damage on household insurance with flood previously acknowledged as an uninsurable risk by the insurance market (“Disputed flood report may cost community millions”,March 18). They had the best of intentions but sadly this move has resulted in premium increases of about 400 per cent for most households;for those living in flood zones premiums are often in excess of $40,000. As someone living in a flood zone,I need home insurance if we have a kitchen fire or a tree blows onto my roof. A recent catastrophic flood caused less than $3000 damage. Basic home insurance that used to cost about $1000 a year is now not available to me. We need the government to reverse its decision to make flood cover compulsory so insurers will offer a basic cover and reduce their premiums for all families,especially for those with mortgages who are forced to buy insurance by their banks.Tony Snellgrove,Tumbulgum

Racing’s back

There’s no doubt those with nary an eyelash of interest in horse racing can suddenly see vast racecourse spaces as ideal for house-building,but why should the horse racing industry be made to pay for governmental inefficiency (Letters,March 18)? Racing,incidentally,is booming,with next weekend’s Golden Slipper crowds of young ’uns and old-timers proof it’s back in a big way. Meantime,I’ll await the commonsense outlook of respected racing veterans,as to the positives and negatives of this “houses for horses” proposal.Rosemary O’Brien,Ashfield

The Rosehill Racecourse should be returned to urban forest and green open space for millions of (heat island-afflicted) Sydney residents.Ronald Elliott,Sandringham (Vic)

Kiwi lesson

Apparently we should be learning from New Zealand’s foray into vehicle emissions standards (“Lessons for Labor in NZ misfire”,March 18). Who is asking us to heed the “warnings”? Yes,the automobile industry,which would much rather maintain the status quo than actually be forced to sell cleaner cars in Australia. Who scrapped the emissions standards,the Clean Car Discount,in NZ? The conservative National Party government that campaigned in the recent election with rubbish talk about a “ute tax”,does that sound familiar? When asked if prices of affected cars had risen as a result of the Clean Car Discount,the response was obfuscation rather than admit that prices had not risen. Conservative parties don’t care about anything other than retaining power and serving their vested interests,that is what Australia should be learning from New Zealand.Ross Hudson,Mount Martha (Vic)

Ozempic claims

Another case of never letting concern for patient safety get in the way of a money-making venture (“Australia’s largest online weight-loss business at loggerheads with regulators”,smh.com.au,March 18). The regulators standing in the way of Eucalyptus and its “business model” are acting as risk managers and mitigators. What is pertinent in this case is where the risk lies and who may be harmed;the company,patients or medical practitioners. In this “business model” the risk is not evenly spread and what is certain is that the entity least likely to be harmed will be Eucalyptus and those involved who face only financial inconvenience. Patients,for their part,face possibly serious adverse effects;not all the side effects of semaglutide (Ozempic) are trivial and some may cause real harm. If a patient suffers a serious adverse effect and believes their treatment has been substandard they will pursue the doctor involved (if they can find him/her) not anybody at the company because they are not the treating clinician. Medical negligence or malpractice claims can well become terminal events for a medical practitioner,a professional but not a personal health hazard.David MacKintosh,Berkeley Vale

Holey honeycomb

Underneath the streets of Sydney is a criss-cross of excavations – the Cross City Tunnel and rail tunnels for the City and Southwest Metro and now Metro West (“Inside the cavern and tunnels of Sydney’s marquee metro station”,March 18). Given the recent experience of sinkholes developing over tunnel construction for the M6 motorway,let’s hope Sydney’s honeycomb of tunnels doesn’t give rise one day to a Violent Crumble.Doug Walker,Baulkham Hills

Just in case

CBD reports that Young Liberals are being encouraged to “get their affairs in order” (CBD,March 18). This follows the Coalition’s decision to go with nuclear power. Interesting!Dennis Metcalf,Drummoyne

No election

Why even dignify what recently took place in Russia with the appellation,election (“President Vladimir Putin officially declared winner of Russian election”,smh.com.au,March 18)? It was nothing less than a flimsy screen to secure six more years of autocratic power. Behind the screen,it was obvious,to most,that the emperor had no clothes. The only thing that had to be decided was the percentage of those who voted - large,of course,but not intemperately so as to appear
concocted. Few are deceived by this fraud from a dictator whose sociopath tendencies are becoming an increasingly grave threat to the world.Bernard Moylan,Bronte

Congratulations to President Vladimir Putin on winning yet another election. So much easier
when the “competition” is on the right side and one knows that the people are solidly behind their leader,or else. Donald Trump must be green with envy.Nola Tucker,Kiama

Statistics tax

In 1960,my maths teacher,whilst teaching us probability,commented that she believed that gambling was a tax for people who didn’t understand statistics (Letters,March 18).Pauline McGinley,Drummoyne