Chalmers can take a leaf out of Howard’s book on handling RBA

John Howard at age 85 is as sharp as ever (“Chalmers’ attack on RBA reeks of political expediency”, 4/9).

Howard reminds us of past economic events, and government responses, with clarity and honesty, and without bitterness or rancour. At times, independent decisions did not suit his electoral cycle; witness, as he mentions, the interest rate rise just before the 2007 election that must have cost his government dearly.

But it was the correct economic decision for the good of Australia, and he did not point a finger at the Reserve Bank board for making it.

Witness the fortitude to push for the GST in the 1998 election, again the right thing economically, and it very nearly cost him that election as Kim Beazley was able to run a scare campaign for political expediency.

Perhaps our current Treasurer should take a leaf out of Howard’s book of sound management by curtailing his high spending, and Howard’s book of accepting the umpire’s decision by acknowledging the RBA’s independence in setting interest rates.

Ian Morison, Forrest, ACT

I recollect as a kid playing the game of passing the parcel. It was great fun; the music stopped regularly, the layers of paper were peeled off and a winner emerged. All up, it took about 10 minutes.

But with the blame game now being played with increasing frequency and zest by our government, we are sadly victims of the electoral cycle (“Treasurer must mind his Ps and cues on true state of economy”, 4/9). Right now it is not much fun as there are many out there doing it very tough. We all deserve open, rational debate on the issues of the day and should surely be treated as adults.

Nick Palethorpe, Turramurra, NSW

Doctors need to act

Chris Uhlmann’s recent commentary (“Fossil fuel bans are hazardous to our health”, 31/8-1/9) ignores the overwhelming evidence of the grave health impacts of burning coal, oil and gas. About 10,000 Australian deaths a year are directly caused by air pollution related to fossil fuel use and 12 per cent of Australian childhood asthma is caused by cooking with gas.

The historical use of fossil fuels has indeed provided society with benefits.

Now doctors from Doctors for the Environment Australia, the Australian Medical Association, specialty colleges and associations, international health bodies such as the World Health Organisation and governments at all levels accept the clear evidence that fossil fuels are a health hazard, and that we need to move as quickly as is humanly possible to a healthy future based primarily on renewables.

Each part of our society and economy needs to work hard and fast to find solutions. The health sector for one is working constructively to reduce emissions. For example, hospitals powered by 100 per cent renewables are already coming on line and will provide the best possible quality of care without producing pollution that causes death and disease. As doctors, we have a duty of care to all our patients. The Australian medical community stepped up to lead the fight against tobacco and it is entirely appropriate that we step up again today to warn about the use of fossil fuels.

Dr Shaun Watson, chair, NSW DEA

I have been without electricity for three days due to a falling gum tree bringing down power lines in our area. Getting permission to remove dangerous trees is almost impossible. I am grateful that I have a gas stovetop and a wood fire as backup, with temperatures at 3C recently. Energy diversity is still essential.

C. McKew, Mittagong, NSW

Victims of legal errors

It was good to see Janet Albrechtsen writing about innocent accused, the victims of crime you rarely hear about in public debate (“This judicial whistleblower deserves our thanks”, 4/9).

Judges are supposed to protect us from tyrannical governments, but their job is made more difficult when police and prosecutors double down on a wrongful arrest. Mistakes need to be recognised and corrected early, otherwise everyone suffers. Blackstone’s ratio should be printed in large capital letters in every courtroom in the country: It’s better for 10 guilty people to go free than to convict one innocent person.

Peter Breen, Bellingen, NSW

Turn left for danger

Good governance is at stake with politicians keen to govern for themselves, with the nation coming a distant second.

It could apply especially to the Greens, who seem keen to destroy the economy with their far-left radical policies and would have us replicating the fate of Venezuela as economics and sound fiscal policy aren’t their strong points (“Populist Greens open new battle front for Albanese”, 4/9).

Tom Moylan, Dudley Park, WA