Climate change debate deserves better than petty politics

Once again, the Greens have fallen into a trap of their own making. The report “Blanket-ban new coal, gas and oil: Bandt” (7/2) is yet another example of Greens overreach. Rather than being sensibly strategic, Greens leader Adam Bandt has aimed for “perfection” –in this case a total ban on new fossil fuel developments. Bandt would have a far better chance of reaching his ultimate goal by campaigning for a staged withdrawal from the use of fossil fuels.

Dr Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin, ACT

Adam Bandt’s call to impose a ban on all new coal, gas and oil projects will inevitably increase global emissions. This is demonstrated in Europe as their natural gas bans and restrictions has resulted in higher imports from Russia and LNG from the US. This gas has higher global emissions due to energy expended in transportation. Simplistic solutions inevitably make things worse. To tackle climate change will require complex solutions.

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld

In my view the Morrison government deserves to be re-elected if only because of its strong stance against Chinese and Russian aggression and for forging the AUKUS alliance. However, it is highly unlikely that the LNP will be returned to government. I would urge the LNP nationally to therefore preference the Greens last on every ballot paper.

The Greens’ policies are largely toxic to this country’s best interests and the countries that would benefit from them most are China and Russia.

Bill Stefaniak, Narrabundah, ACT

The threat of a hung parliament with the Greens holding the balance of power in the Senate should be enough to scare voters away from Labor at the May federal election. Existing Greens policies include the rapid phase-out of coal and gas, a 75 per cent emissions reduction target by the end of the decade and net-zero emissions by 2035. If Anthony Albanese needed Greens support to form a majority how would he deal with such irrational policies? He won’t tell us.

But being a Left faction man and having internal lobby group Labor Environment Action Network wielding its considerable influence, it wouldn’t take much for Albanese to yield to the Greens. With fossil fuels banished our vital industries would be decimated, workers flung onto the dole and our economy gutted. This the price the nation will pay if Labor forms an alliance with the Greens.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

Some may find the prospect of an agreement between Labor and the Greens to ban new fossil fuel projects alarming, if the Coalition is voted out in the next election.

But the latest IPPC report states that we need to take decisive action to phase out fossil fuels in the next decade, if we are to keep global warming below dangerous levels. This is hardly a radical proposal. The Business Council of Australia now has a plan to double our emissions reduction targets by 2030. Recent polling shows that the majority of Australian voters and the business sector support strong action on climate. It is because voters do not feel that they are being listened to by the two major parties that they are turning to the Greens and independents for real action on climate change.

Anne O’Hara, Wanniassa, ACT

Energy Minister Angus Taylor says the proposed Kurri Kurri gas plant is to “ensure there is no risk to electricity consumers after Liddell closes” (“Power plant given environmental green light”, 7/2).

But the Australian Energy Marketing Operator has published its finding that no additional capacity is required to replace Liddell. The Energy Security Board is of the same opinion.

Taylor optimistically claims his government will deliver the project “on budget”. But the budget doesn’t cover the new gas pipeline, onsite gas, and diesel storage or even the purchase of the land. It seems likely capital costs will be $900m-$1 bn.

When built, it will never operate at more than 2 per cent utilisation, on average only one hour per month. This power will not be cheap but neither will it offer a return on investment.

I am dismayed that “politics” and the Labor Party’s capitulation to save its reputation in the Hunter will force this expensive white elephant on to us. Surely $1bn could be spent in much better ways.

Lesley Walker, Northcote, Vic