Coalition set to fuel shift away from climate alarmism

Greg Sheridan asserts that with its repudiation of net zero the Coalition now has a significant point of difference with Labor in an important policy area (“Coalition’s net-zero fight gives it new life”, 22-23/11). Notwithstanding there is now a mountain of work for it to sell its decision to the Australian people, there is a sense that a tipping point has been reached globally. It’s a sense reinforced at COP30, where following two weeks of jawboning there’s been no material advance on the last COP in Baku. Sheridan also asks whether Andrew Hastie would have a better chance communicating the Coalition’s new direction to the electorate, but notes he is “untried at most senior levels of politics”. He may have a point, but inexperience certainly hasn’t deterred Liberal MPs in NSW and Victoria in their leadership decisions over the last couple of weeks (“Can Wilson, Sloan turn tide against ALP war machine?”, 22-23/11).

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

Greg Sheridan credits the likes of the Nationals’ Matt Canavan and the Liberals’ Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price for convincing their federal colleagues of the political argument for the Coalition’s revised stance on net zero. Indeed, Canavan was prescient years ago to label net zero a dangerous green pursuit and has consistently advocated for the need to prioritise energy security, affordability, reliability and sovereignty over an emissions obsession.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

The original idea behind net zero envisaged countries achieving an equilibrium between greenhouse gases emitted and the absorption of greenhouse gases. We seem to have forgotten the absorption side of the equation, if the 90 or so environmentally destructive wind farms currently operating in Australia are anything to go by. Has anyone ever calculated how much money has been, and is being paid, to the mostly foreign-owned wind farm companies?

Jane Malecky, Lawitta, Tas

If the billions poured into renewable subsidies were curtailed, and the relentless expansion of transmission lines slowed, we might discover a path that is both more environmentally sound and economically sustainable. Instead, we are locking ourselves into an energy future that is costly, brittle and increasingly misaligned with global realities. It is time to end the taboo. Nuclear must be treated not as a threat, but as a vital part of the solution.

John Field, Coolum Beach, Qld

Chris Kenny makes a valid point about government subsidisation of solar panels, batteries and other renewable commodities (“Finally, the Coalition comes to its senses on net zero of bad policy”, 23/11).

The majority of Australians cannot afford to go solar in a big way. Sure there are low-priced commodities available but their life span is short and their overall effectiveness is not great. It costs an arm and a leg to purchase a system that will give longevity and top-rated performance. So the majority of those who can afford to go for solar in a big way are the ones that reap the harvest of government subsidies. And where does the money come from to make these subsidies available? From the taxes paid by your average Australian taxpayer.

So, in a manner of speaking, poorer Australians are contributing to the subsidies made available to richer Australians. Hardly a level playing field – a Robin Hood in reverse.

Peter Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

The South Australian Liberal Party is right to regard ditching net zero as “political death”, and the federal party is going to learn this the hard way unless it goes into reverse (“Climate schism: SA Liberals cling to net zero amid wipe-out fears,” 22-23/11).

Ken Enderby, Concord, NSW

While doubling down on his commitment to the Paris Agreement in South Africa, Anthony Albanese vowed there would be no limit to coal exports, as well as continued support for gas extraction.

Climate alarmism has reached the zenith and is on a slow but inevitable downward spiral. Figures such as Bill Gates and Tony Blair are advocating for climate enthusiasts to turn away from striving to change the course of nature and instead direct their efforts to adaptation. How long can Albanese maintain balancing in the middle?

Juris Laucis, Wheeler Heights, NSW