Dutton must face coal, hard facts. Nuclear will not work

The owners of our coal-fired power plants have pointed to the biggest single flaw in Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan: those plants will all be gone before the first reactor can make an appearance and long before the last is up and running (“Coal chiefs query Dutton’s nuclear bet”, December 27). Even if the owners wanted to keep them operating, it’s doubtful they could – not without spending inordinate amounts of money. That money, inevitably, would be courtesy of the taxpayer. All so we can enjoy energy at double the cost of renewables. Why can’t the opposition see what all the rest of us can? Or is it just a ploy to delay action on climate change for 20 more years? Ken Enderby, Concord

In March this year, it was reported that AGL, Australia’s largest power supplier, had ruled out taking part in Dutton’s nuclear push. It is instead pressing ahead with long-term plans to transform its legacy coal sites into low-carbon industrial energy hubs, including renewable energy, grid-scale batteries and manufacturing operations for green technologies. The Hunter Energy Hub is to occupy the old coal station Liddell and AGL’s Bayswater coal-fired generator, which is due to retire no later than 2033. Coal stations are ageing and in constant need of repair. Dutton will not include the consequent necessary budget support for coal in his costings, but taxpayers should. Fiona Colin, Malvern East (Vic)

Dutton’s plans depend upon his assumption that the existing coal-fired power plants will keep going until 2050 when nuclear plants replace them. In the Herald article, the Australian Energy Council said Dutton’s assumption was “brave”. “Brave” was a word reserved for impending disaster, that uber bureaucrat Sir Humphrey Appleby would use to his prime minister Jim Hacker when the latter was contemplating doing something ridiculous. Life imitates art. Joe Weller, Mittagong

We don’t need to replace the soon-to-be redundant 19th century baseload power from ageing coal plants with poisonously expensive and slow-to-build nuclear plants that won’t be ready in time.

We are now well through the transition to a modern, computer-controlled grid that can handle the variable power coming from thousands of sources during the night and millions of sources during the day when rooftop solar is also available. I type this letter on a battery-powered device that was charged yesterday from the grid. An off-the-grid house with solar, wind, batteries and a small generator has no baseload power; one which is on all the time whether needed or not, just clever computer controls managing the balance between the available power and the load. Larger examples are every aeroplane in flight, and every ship away from port. The long-term safety of nuclear and its waste management is another issue. Peter Kamenyitzky, Castle Hill

When is the leader of the opposition going to wake up to the fact that his nuclear option is simply a bad idea? The facts are in. Nuclear will be considerably more expensive and not operational in time. It has no plan for waste disposal and our coal-fired power stations will have closed. This is a classic example of stubborn ideology overwhelming common sense. Bill Young, Killcare Heights

Is Dutton’s persistently promoted nuclear power proposal really a smoke screen over a plan to continue the use of coal, then gas, indefinitely? And to hell with the global heating consequences. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin (ACT)

We’ve heard from experts, state and local governments, community leaders and now from the fossil fuel operators themselves: not only is it not a technically feasible plan, Dutton’s idea for nuclear power plants is unworkable, from a purely practical perspective. After all the studies and debate demonstrating how Dutton’s plan is economically, technically and practically dead in the water, why do we devote more money and energy giving this oxygen-thieving waste of space the time of day? Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay 

The Coalition has conveniently excluded many of the costs associated with its nuclear plan. The owners of the existing coal-fired plants are well aware of the incredible expense of maintaining them beyond their use-by dates. Eraring is a good example and that extension was only for a couple of years. Additionally, the expenditure involved in the disposal of nuclear waste and the inevitable extraordinary liabilities associated with the future decommissioning of nuclear plants was ignored in Dutton’s costings. If in doubt, check Britain out. Roger Epps, Armidale

Good numbers

The extra 72,300 working holidaymakers in Australia since December 19 represent 0.26 per cent of the people in Australia and about 0.5 per cent of workers (“Working tourists give Labor election pain”, December 27). Inflation is a little higher than our Reserve Bank would like, in part due to unemployment being a lot lower than it would like according to its classical model of economics. We are far from having an economic problem. In fact, from a human perspective, overall, we have a great set of economic numbers. Peter Egan, Mosman

If working holidaymakers are making promises relating to immigration numbers difficult for the Albanese government, then it is a problem of the government’s own making. The PM has allowed the opposition to pinpoint immigration as an evil responsible for the housing shortage, societal division and cost-of-living issues, all of which needs to be contested vigorously by the government.

Employment demands and economic growth have become dependent upon migration including working holidaymakers, and it is time for the government to clearly explain and support these vital relationships that will engender prosperity and contribute significantly to solving some difficulties now being experienced. Ross Butler, Rodd Point

Land of the free

It was an unnecessary and also inaccurate slur against Germany and the Germans by your correspondent (Letters, December 27). For example, in Germany you don’t need to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, you can drink beer in public including on public transport and you can buy alcoholic beverages in just about any corner shop (or railway station), dogs are usually allowed in cafes and restaurants (and they are usually given a drink before their owners), and Germany is about the only country in the world where there are autobahnen without speed limits. Not all of these “nicht verboten” think speed may be good, especially if done excessively, but it does show that there are many liberties in Germany that defy the outdated views of your correspondent.
Herman Beyersdorf, Bangalee

Cricket must take care of Konstas

It might be argued that no overseas bowler since Frank “Typhoon” Tyson in the 1950s has made a bigger impact than Jasprit Bumrah, now regarded by astute cricket judges as currently the world’s best (The Herald’s View, December 27). If so, this makes more memorable the dazzling debut of young Sam Konstas. As your editorial suggests though, he needs careful management if his undoubted talent is to be realised where it matters most. He will need to be helped to combine caution with his penchant for aggression if he is not to become a 50/50 selection problem. A series of failures, quite possible given the way he bats, could result in a disappointing loss to Test cricket, the most complex and difficult form of the sport. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne

Most noticeable in the replay of the Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas incident was the instantaneous reaction of Usman Khawaja to turn and intervene, speaking to Konstas and putting his arm around Kohli’s shoulder. It was a commendable reaction from a wise older player and it should be recognised accordingly. It is a wisdom not often seen but greatly to be desired on the cricket field. Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley (Vic)

Breaking the rules of the game in order to benefit your team is called cheating. It is difficult to imagine a more disgraceful method of cheating than to physically assault a promising young player on his debut in an underhanded attempt to distract him from his game. Matt Bottomley, Yamba

How many windows will be busted this summer now that kids will be imitating Konstas’ ramping shots in backyard cricket tests? James Mahoney, McKellar (ACT)

Individual incentive

Riley Brown’s letter certainly touched a sensitive nerve (Letters, December 27). Brown encapsulated the conservative argument that the individual should take precedence over the collective. It is the individual who generates wealth for the betterment of society. Progressives concern themselves with peripheral social issues, not recognising that without privately generated income, the truly disadvantaged cannot be assisted to take care of themselves. Without the incentive to earn more, financial disadvantage becomes generationally entrenched. Louise Dunbar, Cammeray

My definition of a progressive is someone who believes governments and spending will solve all of society’s ills and no individual is at fault for their life circumstances. There is no mantra of “personal responsibility”. The recent US election showed what common folk think of the progressive agenda.
Tony Nicod, Collaroy

Riley Brown certainly stirred the pot. I think it would be fair to say that there are too many would-be enforcers on both the left and the right who would relish the prospect of determining what everyone else should think and do.
Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills

Vote for no vote

Nick Bryant’s rules and punishment piece omitted the granddaddy of them all: compulsory voting (Letters, December 27). Australia is one of a tiny group of countries that fine people for not reporting to vote. And a democracy myth many intellectual commentators happily quote as saving us from the political failings of other major democracies, Donald Trump included. When it was introduced in 1924, Ned Kelly must have turned in his grave. I think Ned would have subscribed to “Democracy 101: the right to vote and equally, the right not to vote” in all its iterations. Tony Horton, North Sydney

Guilt-edged

I totally agree with Ian Hickie: there’s nothing wrong with a bit of guilt (“My resolution? Be OK with guilt”, December 27). I was brought up in a family with deep Catholic traditions, both religious and political. While I usually only attend Mass these days to grieve or celebrate, I am a card-carrying Labor supporter and I feel guilt about lots of things. I try not to dwell in it for too long. I’m all for taking responsibility and putting things right. Lisa Williams, Dulwich Hill

Lost wayfarers

Little did we know that tragedy would strike the fleet less than 24 hours after the race commenced (“All calm before the storm as yachts set sail for Hobart”, December 27). The variation of greeting to the crews “go fast but be safe” sounded a cautionary warning with a hope that all yachts and competitors would safely reach Constitution Dock. The deaths of two sailors on different boats have cast a dark cloud over the race. Victory will be subdued in the knowledge that fellow wayfarers lost their lives pursuing dreams and a love of a sport. Today as the black sails dot the passage to Hobart; crews, families, friends and the yachting fraternity grieve. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook

Where east meets west

Seems it’s not a very merry isthmus for the Panamanians (“Why Trump wants Panama Canal”, December 27). Adrian Connelly, Springwood

Write on, Joan

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I wrote my first letters to the Herald (Letters, December 27). Handwritten outrage, stamp affixed and a walk to the red pillar box. Then the wait. If you were in, you would get a phone call at home confirming your details. Then a trip to the shops to buy the paper. I’d like to imagine that Joan Brown of Orange was marching off to the post office as well and long before me. Thanks, Warren Scanlon for telling us about your fabulous sister. Beverley Fine, Pagewood

Keep writing Joan. I look forward to your letters, which are always interesting and insightful. Josephine Piper, Miranda

Drop Greens; go teal

Australian Greens do not understand bipartisanship (Letters, December 27). Not with Julia Gillard and not now. Adam Bandt’s statements ring with contempt rather than collaboration around shared goals. Labor is wise to look to the more rational and sensible teals. Anne Eagar, Epping

Demerits are good

Driving along the M1 motorway from Sydney to Newcastle and return under double demerit points during the holiday season is a very pleasant and stress-free experience. Almost everyone is going at the speed limit and not a police car to be seen. There are no vehicles weaving in and out of traffic or the risk of being tailgated because you are only doing the speed limit of 110km. Why not keep double demerits going all the time? Glenn Larner, Freshwater

Postscript

This is the last Postscript for 2024, a momentous year. Two of the biggest armed conflicts of 2023 – Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Hamas – have continued throughout this year. In April, a mentally ill man went on a stabbing rampage in Sydney’s Bondi Junction and six people lost their lives. And the world continued to get hotter while politicians, including US President-elect Donald Trump, stalled.

But throughout it all, your letters have continued to flow into our mailbox. The Letters pages are, I would argue, the most democratic section of any news site. Anyone – young, old, female, male, rich and poor – can put their thoughts into a short missive and pull up a stool at the best show in town: here with us.

If you have contributed this year, thank you and please continue to do so. If not, why not join us? New letter writers, especially women and young people, are always very welcome.

Choosing your missives is a complicated formula that sometimes has little to do with that most elusive of concepts; “merit”. Please know that we read every single one. The regulars channel the attitude of Ta-Nehisi Coates, who wrote in We Were Eight Years in Power: “My reasons for writing had to be my own, divorced from expectation. There would be no reward.”

Last week, we published an opinion piece from security analyst Rodger Shanahan. It was about the Israel/Hamas war, but his observations were universal. “The lack of any middle ground in commentary … is striking. Advocates press hard for their side without conceding any ground to the other. Emotions are raw and … in an era where identity is king, complex issues are simplified and assertions amplified.”

In his Christmas Day address, King Charles emphasised that “diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness”. He praised efforts to “respect our differences, to defeat prejudice”. Here, by publishing a wide range of opinions from diverse voices, we hope to respect differences and find common ground.

To all our readers, I hope 2025 brings peace, good health and happiness.
Margot Saville, Letters editor

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