Egging exposes the Left’s inclination to intimidate

The egging of Brian Fisher’s house and the ridicule inflicted on him by Bill Shorten are reminders of how intellectually bankrupt the climate change debate has become (“Climate economist egged at home”, 3/5).

Fisher is a highly regarded individual who has made a valuable contribution to this country and worked in government for both sides of politics. If you do not agree with the results of his modelling, fine; produce some of your own.

But no, the Left’s response is to egg his house, and the Opposition Leader likens him to a tobacco industry apparatchik from 50 years ago.

Perhaps if Shorten wins government, he could order the marking of all houses and businesses run by those who disagree with him.

Geoffrey O’Brien, Eltham, Vic

I was seriously saddened to read the report of Brian Fisher’s family being intimidated by climate change activists. I fear we shall see more of this kind of intimidation of individuals going about their daily business by those opposed to forestry, animal production, development, particular organisations or those wanting to shut down economic analysis that might not support their own positions. The failure to prosecute the man who egged Fraser Anning for assault when there was video evidence of the egging has given the green light to further attacks of this kind.

Intimidation in the name of political ideology or cause is a form of terrorism and those responsible should be charged.

Ross Drynan, Lindfield, NSW

When experienced and respected resource economist Brian Fisher undertook his analysis — that showed the Labor plan would have serious costs and negative effects on the economy — he was dismissed by Bill Shorten as nothing more than a 1960s quack doctor supporting the tobacco industry. But Fisher was only trying to contribute to the public debate, based on available information.

Not only was Shorten’s attack on an independent expert a disgrace, but it lacked foundation because Shorten couldn’t justify his criticism with his own numbers. Just like his inability to show us how his huge social spending programs can be sustained after the wealth transfer runs dry, Shorten gives us no confidence in rolling out a productive, efficient and sustainable energy plan. Blind faith and virtue-signalling statements aren’t good enough. It shows that Labor still can’t be trusted with our money.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

Bill Shorten has falsely claimed it is impossible to put a price on his climate change policy, and evades questioning by asking rhetorically what the cost would be of not acting — although he says he cannot put a price on that either.

Let me assist. A report by Brian Fisher, former head of the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics, prices the former at between $264 billion and $1.2 trillion in GDP loss, between 166,500 and 340,000 lost jobs and the cost of power up at least 50 per cent.

John McLeod, Sunshine Coast, Qld

Bill Shorten’s attack on economist Brian Fisher, likening him to doctors used by big tobacco companies, was a disgusting calumny. If Fisher’s modelling is wrong then Shorten should explain why, which he has not done. In the meantime, we are entitled to ask that famous question: have you no sense of decency, sir?

Richard Shankland, Pymble, NSW

Bill Shorten’s demonisation of Brian Fisher for the “crime” of doing what he refuses to do — to put some figures on the costs of Labor’s climate policies and to discuss them rationally — was despicable and craven.

The behaviour of Simon Holmes a Court in publishing Fisher’s address and inviting people to effectively invade Fisher’s privacy in order to harass and intimidate him into silence for the same “crime” is no better.

This and other reports demonstrate that such tactics, while utterly intolerable for a true democracy, do work and are increasingly part of the Left’s arsenal. In my view those who incite or support such actions are unfit for any public office, far less that of prime minister.

I trust that view is sufficiently widely held to prevent that outcome from this or any election.

Andrew Lake, Edwardstown, SA