Greens, teals will fuel Labor’s renewable energy ‘cult’

It’s concerning that Energy Minister Chris Bowen claims the government’s natural gas policy is a success simply because forecasts now predict possible shortages further down the track (“Gas ‘win’ as Albo powers down on prices: Bowen”, 20/3). But what does this “win” really look like? Gas demand is falling – not just for households, but also for industry, which signals businesses shutting down or cutting production. This increases Australia’s dependence on imports. NSW is building an LNG import terminal, and Victoria is planning one and expecting taxpayers to subsidise it. This approach guarantees high gas prices, deteriorates local industry competitiveness, weakens our energy security, and effectively hands foreign gas suppliers a subsidy. Is this really a win for Australia?

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld

The entirely credible and likely suggestion that an extension to the life of the Yallourn power station is being discussed will not surprise anybody who understands the fragility of the national electricity grid. The furious denial of that suggestion from Victoria’s hapless Energy Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, is also unsurprising. While D’Ambrosio may brag that Victoria sends electricity over its borders to other states, such vital support would not be possible without the brown coal-fired power stations that are reliably providing that power. In other words, if Victoria insists on demolishing its coal-fired power stations, it would not only be denying its own residents a vital, reliable, and constant source of cheap electricity, it would also be placing at great risk the essential and reliable supply of electricity to its neighbouring states.

Rob Davies, Drysdale, Vic

Why did Energy Minister Chris Bowen advise us to shop around if we don’t like the size of our power bills? Surely it was simply a cryptic rerun of his 2019 advice and meant “if you don’t like the electricity mess we have given you, don’t vote for us – shop around and vote for a better deal”.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

Peta Credlin’s piece, calling out claims by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Energy Minister Chris Bowen in recent days over reduced power prices under Labor, is a refreshing return to the real world from the world of delusion, in which the aforesaid ministers and our Prime Minister obviously dwell (“Labor’s energy panacea shot down by reality”, 20/3). Credlin’s main point about the dangers inherent in a minority government, controlled by parties even less in touch with reality, should be writ large in the minds of all electors as they prepare to vote in the upcoming election.

Geoffrey Bond, Port Macquarie, NSW

Chris Bowen’s summary of Australia’s past, present and future energy saga makes a good read (“Dutton’s energy policy hostage to climate deniers”, 19/3). There’s no denying he’s made good progress under difficult global circumstances. To his credit, he didn’t gloat about Liberals Against Nuclear who describe the policy as socialist and too toxic to take to the election.

While there is debate about whether we’ll get to 82 per cent renewables by 2030, a new report from the Clean Energy Investor Group shows that without renewables in the system we’d be paying, on average, up to $417 more a year for power. Similarly, the Australian Energy Market Commission forecasts residential electricity prices will fall by about 13 per cent over the next 10 years, driven by an increase in renewable generation. As Bowen says “we need to stay the course”.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic

Peta Credlin gives readers a perfect political analysis of our electricity crisis. Her first sentence offers the only solution: a change of government, excluding Greens and teals. We are dealing with a cult of believers, both in government and the community, who believe they are correct and saving the world from global warming catastrophe. This now seems to be happening only in Australia. No matter what reality therapy is delivered from objective experts condemning and abandoning grid reliance on renewables electricity around the world, Labor, the Greens and teals won’t change course. All evidence to the contrary. Global warming must be addressed with sane mitigation, not national self-destruction. A heavy burden falls on the whole Coalition in the next crucial election.

Betty Cockman, Dongara, WA