Peter Dutton’s grand plan for nuclear as part of Australia’s power generation is fantasyland stuff (“‘Tell him he’s dreaming’: Labor blasts Coalition plan for nuclear power in a decade”, March 10). Economically, practically and politically, nuclear just does not stack up for Australia with its clear blue skies and plentiful winds. For a politician who claims to be concerned about our cost of living, Dutton will have a hard time justifying the huge rise in voters’ power bills when his first nuclear power plant comes online. Unless, of course, he promises billions of dollars of taxpayers’ dollars in government subsidies, but isn’t that socialism? Bruce Spence, Balmain
Peter Dutton with his finger on the nuclear buttonCredit: John Shakespeare
In 1998, John Howard instituted a ban on nuclear energy which still stands. Peter Dutton has been naive in overlooking the fact that his designs for small nuclear reactors will fail unless all parties renew their present positions on nuclear energy so any proposed legislation can pass both houses of parliament. Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads
In an unstable world plagued with conflict, disposing of a country’s power supply is a common strategy of war. Bombing a nuclear power station generates decades of powerless citizens, worldwide, struggling to re-energise. Although harnessing the wind, the sun and water for a power supply can sometimes be problematic, it is by far the safest, more easily renewable option for an unstable world. Joy Cooksey, Harrington
Apart from major problems associated with nuclear fission power generation plants, they are still reliant on a finite fuel source, ie uranium, which will be depleted in 230 years at current rates of utilisation. However, we already have almost unlimited sources of solar, wind and tidal power generation which, with direct current transmission, can reliably supply all our power needs. We have the enormous potential of tidal power available on our northern coastline which is as yet virtually untouched. Our governments need to think big, forget about party politics and work for the greater good of our nation. Terry Lanz, Mona Vale
The Coalition needs to come clean on its nuclear push, and the government is right to call it out on all fronts. Will Mr Dutton be honest with the Australian electorate and spell out the costs involved in this technology? Why promote, at best, a far-off, hugely complicated project with eye-watering costs while stymieing the renewables rollout at every turn? It is a political game for Mr Dutton, but the stakes for the nation are much higher. Fiona Colin, Malvern East (Vic)
It is a given that we have to get rid of the eagle-killing wind turbines, and solar panels that will not produce power on a cloudy day. But why nuclear, putting aside the minor issues of Fukushima and Chernobyl? What has happened to “clean coal” and carbon capture and storage? Surely, they are still in the pipeline, unless of course they were always a ruse? Joe Weller, Mittagong
Quality budget needed in face of income inequality
Egalitarianism in Australia has slowly evaporated as real estate prices and rents increased to the stratosphere, crushing dreams of lower earners of homeownership (“The Herald’s View”, March 11). Naturally, high-earners cluster in the desirable Sydney coastal and inner-city suburbs. Only they, with one or preferably two high incomes, can afford to purchase or rent in these areas. Lower earners are relegated to western suburbs where prices and rents are lower, but due to high demand have also been driven to unaffordable levels. The problem is compounded by a cost of living disaster which can drastically affect the well-being and lifestyles of low earners, while high earners are relatively unaffected. The imminent Labor budget will have to address these issues but with little more than a tinkering the idea of arresting the slide further from an egalitarian society is a pipe dream. Geoff Harding, Chatswood
Income has become more concentrated in harbourside suburbs in the east. Credit: Mark Merton
It’s not surprising that the top 10 per cent of earners are found in harbourside locations, where Labor’s capital gains tax and its exemption for the family home has had a massive effect in increasing the value of properties. When the CGT was introduced in 1985, a tax-free family home suddenly became a much more attractive option than productive investment in shares and other options that create industries and jobs. Graphs of housing affordability and wealth creation clearly show how this massive inequality accelerated almost immediately after the CGT was introduced. The unintended consequences of short-sighted taxation policies can be devastating. Bill Lloyd, Denistone
The distribution of income and wealth across Sydney shown by the latest research is not startling news. Nor is the fact that the gap between the most well-off and the least is growing. So your editorial urging that federal government policies “distribute incomes better” needs to be emphasised over and over again. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls
It is no surprise that the wealth divide in Sydney is growing. Many have access to family trusts, where investment and business income can be channelled on both a needs and tax basis. Those in the west are mainly salaried taxpayers. Their income is tied to intermittent wage growth - no wonder they are feeling the pinch. Michael Blissenden, Dural
Our society does not only have income inequality. Our tax system depends upon the wage earner and favours the “well-off” in our society. They are able to minimise or in some cases not pay any tax. In addition, there are subsidises from governments that the “well-off” are more able to obtain. Our tax collection system needs to changes to ensure the “well off” pay their fair amount of tax. Brian McDonald, Willoughby
Australia … egalitarian ethos … in which parallel universe has that ever existed? Graham Fazio, Cootamundra
For whom the tolls ring alarm bell
Allan Fels’ interim review of toll roads has already sparked attacks on toll road operator Transurban (“Motorists will pay $195b in road tolls over 37 years”, March 11). I am a customer and a shareholder, and I believe there are two sides to any constructive toll debate. As a regular customer, I agree that the tolls are hurting people, including me, regularly travelling from the western suburbs to Sydney and surrounds. As a shareholder, my current income return from Transurban is 4.4 per cent – less than bank interest. These tolls are the result of signed contracts which previous governments initiated. It’s not all one-way traffic. Ray Witherby, Kings Langley
Former ACCC boss Allan Fels has released his interim review into toll roads.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
In a commute of decades of tolls, I and others have long paid off both harbour crossings. The operator of the Harbour Tunnel quietly recouped its investment in 2003, at least a decade ahead of schedule, but it continues to reap its underground river of gold. Two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel – one of the key recommendations of Allan Fels’ review – when the assets of NSW have been plundered to fund roadworks in those parts of Sydney which were without tolls for half a century is sheer brigandry. Andrew Cohen, Glebe
Rights and wrongs
It’s hard to argue with George Brandis’ assessment of Trump and his unsuitability for office (“Trump a trasher of conservatism”, March 11). I would like to pick up on one issue that Brandis doesn’t address. If Trump and his tactics are wrong and it is possible to have enemies on the right, what does Brandis think of one of the current occupants of the Australian political right? Their tactics, lies, deceit and use of the inaptly named “Advance”? Are they enemies or friends? Geoff Nilon, Mascot
George Brandis has dissolved the false notion that Donald Trump is a conservative politician. Trump appeals to many mainstream conservatives who fail to be alarmed at his acceptance of Putin, downplaying of Russian aggression and staying voiceless about the murder of Alexei Navalny. This shows the dangerous side of Trump that is an enemy of freedom and democracy. John Cotterill, Kingsford
Hey George, did I just hear the sound of the penny dropping? Better late than never, I guess. Chris Edye, Pymble
Easing stress
For the past 16 years, I’ve walked my dog past buildings that sit idle in Callan Park (“Mental health ‘starved of funds’”, March 11). With some TLC these buildings could be used to assist with housing numerous adolescents requiring mental health care. It’s time that these buildings were used again for the purpose they were built. James Butchart, Lilyfield
Many areas of public life are under financial stress. I know that it would be a brave government to propose it, and it’s unlikely to get bipartisan support, but a well-designed inheritance tax as exists in many OECD countries could help. Limits could be set and inheritance tax levied on primary residences, businesses, farms etc, which is only triggered when sold. Paul Doyle, Glenbrook
When we see headline news about the inadequate funding for mental health and the arts, the easiest response is that the government, spoken of like some nebulous body, should do more. The government is us and it uses our money. The fact is that the public is more interested in paying less tax and that means the government has less of our money to spend on us. It’s time to revisit the GST. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill
Under review
My beliefs have been beggared discovering the principal of a private school earns approximately twice as much as the prime minister; his responsibilities to our country must be enormous (“Cranbrook to announce its own scandal review”, March 11). Christo Curtis, Beaconsfield
Looking forward to reading the Murdoch press apologising for its gratuitous attacks on the ABC over the Four Corners show on Cranbrook and its principal. Looking forward to the various senders of lawsuits to Louise Milligan doing the same. She was right on. She did a public service highlighting the entitled boys’ club and their pretensions. Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights
First Cranbrook, now serious questions about the governance of the Victorian branch of the Masons. (CBD, March 11). Seems like the old boys’ networks are all suddenly experiencing a critical outage. Ross Duncan, Potts Point
Theory of everything
I read with much interest the edited version of Ross Gittins’ speech celebrating 50 years with the Herald (“I’m too old to suffer from impostor syndrome”, March 8), during many of which I have been one of his ardent readers. As a geologist, now semi-retired farmer, rather than an economist, Gittins’ explanations of economics always help to lift the veil on quirky terminology and relationships making government economic policies somewhat more comprehensible. In particular, his statement, “academic economists will complain that I’m often very critical of economic theory. Why? Because I think theory is important” caught my attention. This phrase is reminiscent of an opinion held by another important economist, Professor Steve Keen, author of Debunking Economics, who has stated that the mainstream economics of climate change is totally flawed which is misleading government (IPCC) policies and undermining scientific facts. While “climate change” events around the world are obvious to all, governments listen to flawed economic theory that claim the better part of GDPs happen indoors, and as such aren’t affected by severe weather events, totally ignoring primary products from mining and agriculture without which the GDP will collapse. Thanks to Gittins and Keen, the decision-makers can no longer simply claim they are misled! Phillip Schmidt, Newrybar
Ross Gittins keeps it simple.Credit: Matt Davidson
The good oil
At last, after the usual crop of Monday headlines flagging inequality, discord, homicide and genocide, a ray of hope beams out from the business pages: (“Australia not doing itself any favours, says oil boss”, March 11). Aussie oil explorer Julian Fowles complains that approvals have blown out from months to years, so he won’t be drilling in our waters. Since our government refuses to stop it themselves, this is the kind of industry self-regulation we can all, for once, applaud. Jeffrey Mellefont, Coogee
Arts under attack
It’s no surprise to hear about the drop in funding for creative arts (“Leading drama, dance schools fight for survival”, March 11). For decades Australia has voted for federal and state governments that have downgraded just about anything that didn’t serve the ends of their political donors. As a society we are greatly poorer for it. Surely a great benefit of systems that can fund the arts is the enrichment of society: in intellect, creative ideas, and even aspects that may be considered spiritual.
Now we won’t sufficiently fund arts that enrich society or even essential health services. But meanwhile we can subsidise the fossil fuel industry to the tune of billions at the expense of our health and the environment which now struggles to sustain us. Peter Thompson, Grenfell
Australian Ballet School’s captains, Australian Ballet’s Zoe Horn and Matthew Paten with Andrew Murphy, classical teacher and ballet master. Credit: Eddie Jim
Off with their sets
Poor Ted Pochodyla’s property near Badgerys Creek demonstrates the folly of “ecological offsets” (“Airport land nightmare leaves one man stranded”, March 11). His neighbours were able to sell their high ecological value land on the basis of buying offsets elsewhere, which are supposed to be of equal type and value. Offsets have been shown in many cases to fail on both counts, and their ongoing maintenance is also uncertain. And now the whole point of setting aside Ted’s land is lost, as it has become a small island worth only a tiny fraction of its prior value. Everybody in the planning and development game knows how this is played. Ecological offsets are a furphy, and must be abandoned now. Dick Clarke, Elanora Heights
Bittersweet quest
I will join Michael Bogle’s action group SOS – stamp out sourdough. With relish (Letters, March 11). Margaret Jaffe, Dural
Ubiquitous sourdough? You have to be kidding! Everywhere I go, sandwiches, bacon and egg rolls and burgers are only offered on that soft and fluffy abomination brioche. Give me sourdough any day. How was this allowed to happen? I most definitely didn’t vote for it. Ian Morris, Strathfield
The clue that binds
DA’s crossword (Letters, March 9)? Forget it! I once thought I was very clever because I solved two clues. My husband and I buy the Herald three times a week; we couldn’t do without Ross Gittins’ or Peter Hartcher’s columns. We spend most of Thursday trying to solve the sudoku, although I usually solve the cryptic quite quickly. We spend all day Saturday and half of Sunday with the Saturday Herald. Margaret Brown, Upper Coomera (Qld)
It’s all zoo much
Should pets other than cats and dogs be allowed on planes? Pigs might fly! Jim Dewar, Davistown
I usually just sit with the other animals in cattle class. Michael Deeth, Como West
Not so glamorous
After a recent carcinoma operation, I despair at the photos of suntanning bodies and suntan oils encouraging such behaviour (“Doctors support ban on suntan oil ads that lure TikTok, Instagram users”, March 11). Maybe we need photos on bottles of oil similar to cigarette packets as well as bans on advertising. Successive generations need to be reminded that the sun is dangerous. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
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