Matt Kean, the chair of the Climate Change Authority, reminds us of global warming’s increasingly severe economic costs, which makes getting rid of fossil fuels and boosting solar and wind ever more urgent (“Why the LA fires should spark economic alarm in Australia”, January 15). It is reassuring to see a former Liberal politician working for a Labor government to do what he considers essential to save us. The current signs of bipartisanship on housing in the NSW government is also reassuring and shows both sides of politics can work together. It’s a pity that doesn’t seem possible in Canberra. Gary Barnes, Mosman
Thank you, Matt Kean, for your vitally important article. If people currently feel disasters, environmental destruction and threats to life don’t concern them, they will have to reconsider when insurance becomes unattainable and they are at permanent risk of losing their homes and belongings, with no recompense. Insurance companies believe in global warming. Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay
Climate Change Authority chairman Matt Kean.Credit: Peter Rae, James Brickwood and Nick Moir
The RFS has identified a problem with accessing water during the fire season ( “As LA burnt, fire hydrants failed. In NSW, volunteers also face a water supply problem”, January 15). An answer may lie in our rail system. NSW has a cross-country rail system that should be utilised during a disaster. The system is currently used for transporting grain, coal and the occasional tourist passenger train. The new Brisbane to Melbourne rail link is also a great asset. The idea would be to have a series of fire trains located at various junctions – Junee, Parkes, Dubbo etc – designed to carry water trucks. By using the standard-gauge rail system, these assets could also be dispatched to Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. The units could also be used in times of drought to take water where it is needed. Peter Haggarty, Cranebrook
Get back to work – or resign
If rail workers are unhappy with their conditions and pay they should find another job. There are plenty of people who would happily work for the railways. As a pensioner, I have to get by on what the government pays and juggle income around price increases – no going on strike for a pension increase. We pay the same price for food and petrol as a rail worker does. If you feel hard done by, please resign and let public transport run as it should. Ron Field, Bermagui
Love letters
Gotta love the letters pages when an election looms. Wednesday produced a beauty. One reader proffers a common opinion: “None of the above.” Others say that with nearly all Herald letters critical of Dutton, a Labor landslide is likely (a look at the Daily Telegraph or The Australian might dispel this illusion). Still, others riff about perceived racism. But we’re lucky here in the Blue Mountains. We’ve achieved that desirable position of being a marginal electorate. Makes it simple. Just vote against the sitting member and be showered with gifts. Then giggle when some pollie says they’re stamping out pork-barrelling. That’ll never change. Though I’ve noticed the Nationals aren’t yet promising a dam somewhere. Wake up, Barnaby Joyce. Forget Australia Day, there are deeper traditions to maintain. Ah, it’s all just a game ... isn’t it? Brian Haisman, Winmalee
Today’s letters page has plenty of opinion expressed about the leaders of our two main political parties. Can I just remind everyone we don’t elect a president? To me, it comes down to which leader has the stronger team across the board. Personally, I think that’s a no-brainer. Lloyd Swanton, Wentworth Falls
Louise Dunbar suggests that the LNP is heading for electoral oblivion if the Herald’s letters page reflects electoral opinion (Letters January 15). Although the tranche of letters she referred to were all critical of Peter Dutton, with none in support, the last two opinion polls, including one published yesterday, suggest the LNP winning government. As to net approval ratings, Dutton leads Albanese by 14 points. Having partisan views reinforced in an echo chamber is satisfying, but it’s no substitute for objective analysis. Bruce Watson, Kirribilli
Louise Dunbar observes the “weight of opinion”, as expressed on the Herald letters page, as a portent of doom for the Coalition – if reflective of the wider electorate (Letters, January 15). But that’s a very big “if”. A dispassionate review of the letters pages over recent election cycles reveals a comfy embrace of a left-wing mindset and a near absence of any enthusiasm for centre-right or right-wing mindset. This displays a disconnection with reality, whereby the non-left regularly secures roughly half the vote in Australia and has out-polled the left in many international jurisdictions in recent time. It’s not that centre-right solutions to problems are uncommon or unpopular, they’re just not seen on the Herald letters pages any more. Mitch Geddes, Palm Beach
Like Louise Dunbar, I also noted the 12 letters against Dutton’s policies and wondered where was the riposte from my favourite conservative, Rosemary O’Brien. What is going on? Robert Hosking, Paddington
Gee, thanks to the contributor for various explanations of a leader’s strength. I’d previously thought it was all about lifting weights and arm wrestling. Now I know to vote for the puny candidate with the altruistic mindset, but where is she? Rosemary O’Brien, Ashfield
Apparently, the forthcoming election will come down to three-word slogans, so here’s my suggestion: “Dutton got nuttin’.” Shaun Davies, St Peters
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton leads the prime minister on net approval ratings.Credit: Eddie Jim
I regularly submit letters to the Herald. I also occasionally send letters to ministers, shadows and my senators. Only the Coalition fails to acknowledge, let alone respond to, my emails. Could this be because members of the Coalition believe they are born to rule and can ignore “inconsequential little people” like me? Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic)
Money on the mind
The public must take issue with those psychiatrists who have resigned, claiming it’s not about their pay (“Psychiatrist walkout is not about money, it’s about saving lives”, January 13). What nonsense, it’s all about wanting to be paid more, not about doing more or better. They cannot do more, so they’ve chosen to do nothing instead. This is misdirected problem-solving at its finest. Psychiatrists are among the most well-paid of all medical practitioners, even in the public system. Pay them more, by all means, but no pay rise is going to increase a psychiatrist’s capacity to meet demand. As with all health disciplines, the problem lies in the number of psychiatrists. This, in part, is due to the low-yielding system of training: it can take more than 12 years to become a psychiatrist, and a pay increase won’t change that. However, resigning will only ensure that people in need don’t receive the care they require. Jamie Travis, Stanmore
Road to nowhere
As a regular commuter to the city, I caught the free bus on the T3 Line – once, and never again (“Commuters ignore free buses on the T3 line”, January 15). In their wisdom, Transport for NSW has put the Dulwich Hill bus stop a long way from both the station and the shops, which is why no one wants it. Instead, many T3 passengers use the 418, which runs from Sydenham station to Ashfield via Dulwich Hill shops, the Light Rail and Hurlstone Park station. Joanna Mendelssohn, Dulwich Hill
Size matters when it comes to housing
I agree with correspondent Tim Lenehan that there is no easy way to increase housing affordability, but disagree with his assertion that the only way out of the housing mess is to build more houses (Letters, January 15). How about making new houses smaller? That will costs down. Australia is officially the land of the mansion – the biggest houses in the world. Or taxing empty homes to discourage investors from leaving their spare properties empty? How about imposing extra costs if bulldozing a perfectly fine house to build a more impressive one, perhaps calling it the “I’m not increasing the housing stock levy”. Unfortunately, fear of making real change and upsetting the rich and powerful is the order of the day. Sorry that the high prices are forcing you to move back into the family home, kids, but we do like having you around to provide IT support. Anne Matheson, Gordon
Australia is officially the land of the mansion – the biggest houses in the world.Credit: Paul Jeffers
I find the attitudes and expectations of students such as Amy and Jordan quite unrealistic (“Where could you really afford to live? Sydney’s housing crisis mapped”, January 15). Aspiration is one thing, patience and planning something different. I also found it interesting that there was no mention of part-time jobs, or whether their studies were being paid for upfront or covered under HECS. With so much study online now and the need for face-to-face contact greatly reduced, the old concept of being close to uni and sharing with five others is stale. Looking for the best place to live and grow, girls? Try Tassie. John Mullavey, Howrah (Tas)
All these stories about uni students being forced to live at home with mum and dad in the ’burbs just makes me want to shout “nothing’s changed!” Back in the early 1970s, no one could afford to rent near Sydney Uni either. The only people who lived near campus were from regional areas or wealthy families. Everyone else schlepped in from far away on iffy public transport. As I said, nothing’s changed. Jenni Stapleton, Kiama
Tee for two
Perhaps letter writer David Salter (Letters, January 15) should join our golfing group on a Friday at the lovely Tuncurry course. We call ourselves “Fawlty Towers” and on the first tee any player can have a “mulligan”, a second drive if the drive does not land on the fairway. We also have “gimmes” – if your putt is close enough you can pick it up and just count one more shot (no three putts there!). Preferred lies are always allowed on the fairway or second cut. Our group also has a number of highly successful punters and with our $2 thrown in the middle after the game we are able to give out a nice bottle of red wine to the winner and a golf ball to each of the best group. But I won’t mention the Christmas seafood after the last game of the year. Ken Pares, Forster
David Salter’s acceptance of golf, unlike tennis, not allowing a second drive displays a preference for the dour, punishment-inclined Scots’ culture over that of the permissive French. As a lifetime golfer, I’ve often wished that the French had established the rules of golf, not the Scots. Michael Britt, MacMasters Beach
Your correspondent is concerned that big servers have an unfair advantage in this era because of evolved tennis racquets. I remember the same concern being raised in the 1980s, when players like Pete Sampras and our beloved Mark Philippoussis hit the circuit. Maybe your correspondent would prefer to be on the receiving end of one of Roscoe Tanner’s serves during the 1970s. Annabel Doherty, Armidale
Silence speaks volumes
In response to Russia’s reported execution of an Australian prisoner, the government has rightly summoned the Russian ambassador, and the opposition has demanded his expulsion (“All options on the table after reports of Australian’s death at Russia’s hands”, January 14). The response to the killings in Gaza couldn’t be more different, despite the reported deaths of four non-combatant Australians by the Israeli Defence Forces. Palestinian Australians I know have tragically lost family members in Gaza. Last month I wrote to all federal MPs saying that the government must impose diplomatic and financial sanctions on Israel if the killings continued. I received no reply, and the death toll keeps rising. Silence is complicity. Gideon Polya, Macleod (Vic)
Australian Oscar Jenkins is reported to have been killed by Russian troops.
Memorable moments
I was moved by two Herald opinion pieces that made me reflect on the power of memory and the association with physical items which can bring us joy, solace or any multitude of emotions. Zoya Patel’s experiences in art galleries are so true (“Jostling happy snappers are ruining art galleries for everyone”, January 15). Enjoying artworks first-hand is priceless. It is sad that we rely on our phones as a memory bank of our experiences. Yes, I agree, why visit a gallery to view artworks through a mobile phone lens without taking the time to absorb the moment?
Maher Mughrabi shared his experience of losing his wife (“When Heather was dying, questions formed in my mind that I would never have entertained”, January 15). Inanimate objects can bring back so many important memories of a life lived and lost. Those items, as trivial or unusual as they may seem, can be hard to part with. Maher’s writing is a moving reminder of appreciating what is precious in our lives while we can, before they become a memory. Thank you both for sharing your experiences and the powers of memory. Adrienne James, Camden
I’m with Zoya Patel and her criticism of photo and selfie snappers in art galleries, especially major exhibitions. Just buy the book. As you exit these exhibitions, you always pass through a merchandise store where you can buy a catalogue showcasing all the artworks, with comprehensive commentary provided by the curators – the perfect lifetime reference for your memory of the exhibition. I have a beautiful little library of these catalogues collected over the years which is regularly revisited. Mark Nugent, Lugarno
Beach cricket
Mystery balls? Normally, I’d blame Shane Warne (“Two Sydney beaches remain closed after discovery of mystery debris balls”, January 15). Mark Beacom, West Pennant Hills
Northern Beaches Council workers clean up mystery balls at Dee Why Beach. Credit: Louie Douvis
Empty vessel
Jim Pollitt’s messy desk comment (Letters January 15) reminds me of a quote from Albert Einstein – “If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, of what then is an empty desk a sign?” Paul Sanders, Whale Beach
Lack of tact
I recently turned 73, so I read the story about Sara’s Parents with interest (“Sara’s parents own two homes, but she won’t buy until she’s 80. Here’s why”, January 14). “If only these old people would just hurry up and die” was the subtext. Derek McMillan, Durrington (UK)
In a jam
As a dutiful son visiting his elderly mum in East Brisbane (and reader of Column 8), I was not unsurprised to see the backyard overgrown and grass bent over by its own weight. I fired up the mower on a stinking hot January day and returned the whole block to a semi-pristine state. Sweating profusely, I climbed the 13 back steps to meet a steely glare and to receive a single growled sentence from my mum: “Ya mowed the chokos.” All accumulated brownie points down the drain in four words. Brian Byrne, Flinders
Tea break
A recent “senior experience” of mine – the tea bag packet I was opening split open, resulting in a new collective noun: “a tangle of tea bags”. This was followed by compulsory occupational therapy before the next cup of tea. Sheila Benning, Glenbrook
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