Crean was steeped in the finest Labor traditions and was respected by all

Thank you, Troy Bramston, for your wonderful tribute to Simon Crean and his legacy (“ALP mourns party elder Crean, dead at 74”, 26/6). The testimonials highlight the high regard in which Simon was held across the political divide. Steeped in the finest Labor traditions, Simon always put the national interest first. The Accord, which underpinned our social and economic progress, was driven by the Labor greats of that generation. They kept the light on the hill burning brightly. He was an honourable and good man whose passing will be mourned by many.

Jennie George, Mollymook, NSW

As chairman of the Export Council of Australia I had the privilege to work with Simon Crean when he was minister for trade. When people ask me who I thought were the best I always say without any hesitation Simon Crean and Tim Fischer. Both clearly understood trade and the role of government to support it, not control it. Their respect of, and assistance to, those who put their money on the line to build an international business was simply outstanding. Two fine Australians, both will meet again in heaven. Rest in peace, Simon.

Ian C. Murray, Cremorne Point, NSW

The death of Simon Crean is a sad day for his party and for the nation. Along with others – his father Frank, Bob Hawke, Kim Beazley and his father Kim Beazley Sr, Clyde Cameron, Lionel Bowen, Paul Keating in his earlier years, and the incorrigible Peter Walsh (who did not suffer fools gladly, particularly those in his own party), Simon Crean was a reformer, wanting to build a better and stronger nation, a healthy economy, more competitive. They stand head and shoulders above the minnows of today – Anthony Albanese, Jim Chalmers, Chris Bowen, Katy Gallagher and others – who are slowly wrecking the economy with higher cost of living, more restrictions on industry and business, declining productivity and far less integrity.

Roger Wilson, Woodend, Vic

Worse than Putin

Commentary in Australia and worldwide following the aborted coup attempt in Russia have concentrated on the destabilisation of Vladimir Putin’s iron control of the state. The consensus view seems to be that a wounded Putin may be easier to topple. What is unknown is the most likely replacement. Unfortunately for NATO and other democratic states this will almost certainly be a more despotic and belligerent leadership than Putin. What represented a Russian liberal opposition has been scattered and dispersed since the invasion of Ukraine.

It was telling that the rebellious Wagner forces were mostly cheered on their way to a Moscow confrontation and that the Russian people would seem to be happy if a Prigozhin or some other unknown strongman took over.

The maxim “be careful what you wish for” seems most apt in this confusing scenario.

Norman Moore, Bangalow, NSW

Green investment

Did Nick Cater attend former chief scientist Alan Finkel’s book launch at the Australian National University two weeks back? If so, he’d have been less pessimistic when writing about Australia’s energy transition (“Transition furphies won’t stop energy woes”, 26/6). While Finkel acknowledges the challenges, he’s clear on the need to get off coal and gas and is optimistic about Australia’s transition from a “petrostate” to an “electrostate”. His enthusiasm for the new battery technologies, some with eight-hour storage, is uplifting.

Cater has been a regular critic of renewables and focuses on the negatives. For example, he highlights the lack of investment in renewables in the first quarter. He is probably unaware that in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency, for the first time global investment in renewables surpassed that in fossil fuels. Good news, surely. Perhaps a chat with Cath Bowtell, new chairwoman of IFM Investors, who sees Australia’s decarbonisation as a secure invest­ment opportunity (“Bowtell eyes energy deals for IFM”, 26/6) would help Cater provide some balance.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic

Wuhan scientists

So the world now knows that Wuhan Institute of Virology researchers working on genetically engineered coronaviruses fell ill with Covid-19-like symptoms in October 2019. The news was suppressed by the Chinese government until January 2020 while the world media went with the bat virus theory.

Donald Trump was ridiculed as a xenophobe for trying to close US borders. No wonder Trump is hated by the left-dominated media and the established political order. He may have been too close to the truth of a genetically engineered pandemic that benefited authoritarian governments.

John Bell, Heidelberg Heights, Vic