Member for Hunter becomes the hunted but all sides act too slowly

Hartcher hypothesises that Fitzgibbon will look for a job in the fossil fuel sector after the next election. It would be nice to think that job opportunities would be very limited if he leaves it that long. John Anderson, MacMasters Beach

Illustration: Matt GoldingCredit:

Hartcher rightly rails against Australia’s lack of action on climate change. Surely the blame must rest with voters who have repeatedly voted into government a party without climate policies and with a sceptical view of climate science. Given that the PM is a follower and not a leader we seem destined to commit ourselves to doing nothing. Judy Hungerford, North Curl Curl

Hartcher’s timely article about the paralysing effect that the ghost of Tony “climate change is crap” Abbott is having on the government and opposition regarding climate action coincidentally appeared on the first day of Diwali, the feast where Hindus celebrate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

It is time for all our federal parliamentarians to embrace the spirit of Diwali by bilaterally endorsing meaningful climate change policies and, in so doing, exorcising Parliament House of the Abbott ghost. John Payne, Kelso

State assets slowly going down the drain

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet wants coal mining royalties to fix his budget deficit (“Royalties to offset billions in deficit“, November 14-15). In a timely coincidence, the Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment – acting for the NSW government – is recommending the approval of two major coal mining projects in the drinking water catchments of Sydney and Wollongong.

The department supports the Russell Vale mine, under the Cataract Dam catchment, though it admits it will drain and divert water away via surface and stream cracking. Once contaminated with the heavy metals it disturbs, the water will then flood into and out of the mine continuously for at least 160 years. The department also promotes the Dendrobium mega mine project under the Avon and Cordeaux dam catchments. An independent expert panel estimates drinking water losses could be “into perpetuity”. The department is unperturbed and claims a cash offset from the mining company of a $100 million is an “appropriate” way to provide “strategic water supply capital works”.

Let’s put that pipe dream into context – $100 million might repair a few leaks, but our last desalination plant cost $2 billion. More fundamentally, there something seriously rotten about a government agency who will squander the long-term public interest. For the sake of coal and cash now, they will knowingly sacrifice our pure drinking water forever. Sharyn Cullis, Oatley

The Treasurer thinks he “owes it to future generations to borrow at these record-low interest rates”. Sounds fair enough, in these uncertain times. So why the latest round of proposed privatisations: state lotteries; WestConnex; the state bus fleet? If the Berejiklian government continues the previous Baird government’s obsession for privatising state assets, the only thing future generations will be left with is this burgeoning debt and no way to repay it. Rod Bartlett, Woonona

Remember the days of the Opera House lottery and lotteries that subsidised NSW hospitals? Instead of flogging off every last bit of state ownership, why not have the government institute a few new lotteries? How about one for buying and conserving land for national parks? Or paying decent wages or funds for public schools? Given conservative ideology, it’s just about the only way such public benefits will continue to exist. Nola Tucker, Kiama

The Treasurer says he will sell a revenue stream of $400 million per year. Will he sell it to a company that will pay that amount in tax per year, and what does he plan to do with the money? The $400 million and the mining royalties should be put into a sovereign fund not sold for short term gain. Ian Brennan, Wareemba

Treasurer, does that mean increased funding for health, schools, roads and, of course, ICAC? Peter Mahoney, Oatley

Air attack vital in quelling fires

It was with dismay but not surprise that I read the federal government has decided not to adopt one of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (“Coalition rejects call for aerial firefighting fleet“, November 14-15).

With more than 18 years’ experience with the RFS, experience with a volunteer brigade in the 60s and a memory that can recall the disastrous Leura fires of 1957, I have become a firm believer in the need for a dedicated air fleet that can be co-ordinated to attack fires surgically and early enough before they have the opportunity to grow into the monsters that we have been increasingly witnessing.

The expenditure on trucks and personnel has blinded us to the opportunities offered by modern technology and in particular air power. We now have the ability to pinpoint where a fire starts, and although it is expensive, we should be hitting these ignition points from the air rather than waiting to be able to confront it through conventional tactics. No commander would commit ground troops without full mastery of the air and preferably would make no commitment until air power has sufficiently neutralised the enemy. The overarching strategy of fighting fires should be no different. Colin Beszant, Manyana

Live music needs limits

I understand the need for supporting live music in bars and hotels and also agree some of the restrictions were archaic (”Hang up the mirror ball and let the music play’‘, November 14-15). But surely 600 proposed amendments is a case of overkill.

Among amendments proposed is one that allows any number of musicians on stage and no restriction on the instruments they play, which indicates the likelihood of a substantial increase in noise levels from the venue. There was no mention of monitoring the volume and there appears to have been no consultation with the public.

I live in a small town on the South Coast and there are two hotels and a bar backing onto residential streets. Noise levels have been an issue in the past and I am wondering if these sweeping reforms take into account the necessity to control this. I would have thought a trial period would have been an option as there was one for lockdown laws. Ros Vidgen, Milton

Media article blunder

Yes, Tom Switzer, we know that both Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull have an axe to grind against News Corp but there is no denying that News Corp is constantly against Labor and openly a Coalition mouthpiece (“We need to talk about Kevin and Malcolm and their Murdoch obsession”, November 14-15). It’s news to me that you say there is no such thing as objective journalism. By any definition, journalism ought to be objective with facts and figures. For example, NewsCorp stands on climate change denial, which shows that they are not objective. Even James Murdoch thinks that way and left his father’s company. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill

Switzer scored a spectacular own goal in his defence of the Murdoch media. He wrote “much to my ire, during the 2007 election campaign, I had to write editorials endorsing (of all people) one Kevin Rudd!” Has there ever been a clearer admission of management direction of the editorial process? This is a stark contrast to the policies of other responsible media organisations. George Rosier, Carlingford

Include unis and hospitals

While the focus is on workplace relationships and codes of conduct, not to be forgotten are the big institutions such as universities and hospitals (”Few firm rules guide office romances even in the ‘bonk ban’ era”, November 14-15). I have spent most of my lifetime in various roles in such places, where power relationships are often unequal and the futures of many women are often highly reliant on those more senior. It would be of interest to see how many have policies are in place governing relationships and opportunities allowing those with complaints to feel heard and have action taken without negative consequences. Louise Dolan, Birchgrove

ACTU president Michele O’Neil recently described Parliament House as a high-risk workplace for unacceptable workplace behaviour. Vikki Campion says the current “bonk ban” doesn’t protect anyone. We want our elected representatives focused on us, not their workmates. A Parliament-wide (including electoral offices) bonk and relationship ban is needed to help ensure appropriate workplace behaviour. A need to find romantic interests in the real world will ensure MPs and staff spend more time in the real world. Peter Egan, Artarmon

Property pressures

Your story gave an insight into how Sydney’s planning has failed (”Wealthy city folk still buying into rural gems”, November 14-15). Those who can afford it are looking for somewhere safe while those who can’t are stuck with the congestion that makes lockdowns miserable and pandemics dangerous. But there is even more to the story: developers in the Hunter have described the boom as unprecedented and largely the result of low interest rates and the homebuyer grants. While it might gladden the heart of economists and developers, it adds to the difficulty of those trying to buy their first home and is a disaster for our non-government debt level which even before the pandemic was well over $2 trillion. With so many in mortgage debt up to their eyeballs, it will be a bold Reserve Bank that decides to increase rates again, something deemed essential for managing the economy. Don Owers, Dudley

Toddling on

I hope Donald Trump’s body is given to medical science. The oldest two-year-old in world history would warrant investigation (”Transition from hell”, November 14-15). Ric Baxter, Umina Beach

Green shoots

Ah, the practical power of sculpture (“Sculpture of hope inspired by Lennon“, November 14-15). It reminded me that I need to buy asparagus. Tristan Parry, Cremorne

Grong number

Of course, Grong Grong is not Grong. It’s Grongy as in “Let’s have beer at Grongy pub” (Letters, November 14-15). Judy McVittie, Leeton

Down here in the Bega Valley we have the locality of Jellat Jellat, between Bega and Tathra. Locals just call it “Jilla”. Go figure. Andrew McPherson, Kalaru

And what can you do with Mogil Mogil where each of its names is pronounced differently? Tony Hunt, Gordon

Am I correct in noting that only places with two-syllable names get shortened? Wagga does; Woy doesn’t. Are there other examples to confirm the theory? Alan Morley, Berry

State-sanctioned cheat

You can’t say Annastacia Palaszczuk isn’t doing all she can to help her boys win the final Origin match. First she opens Suncorp Stadium to full capacity; second she bans Sydney spectators and last of all she ensures the Blues are taken straight to the stadium instead of resting in a hotel. Well Freddy’s boys will rise to the occasion despite her efforts. Come on Blues! Marie Grady, Frenchs Forest

The digital view

Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au
Mega free-trade deal a lifeline for Australia-China relations
From jjau3: Hope all parties concerned will appreciate this historical moment to work together and respect each other.