Keep net-zero target firmly in the balanced energy playbook

My free advice to Peter Dutton is to stick with the Coalition’s zero emissions target by 2050 but provide the details of how nuclear energy will help us get there and how renewables will continue but only where it stacks up environmentally and economically.

Why give the ALP and the Greens a free kick when they don’t need to, as the Australian people are starting to realise that the unknown costs, the unreliability of supply and environmental damage of renewable energy cannot be sustained? A mix of energy sources makes sense, whereas banning nuclear energy from our energy supply makes no sense whatsoever.

Brian Barker, Bulimba, Qld

Calling Australia’s climate action “folly” misunderstands the importance of this nation’s leadership role (“Trump exit exposes climate folly”, 13/11).

A recent global survey conducted by Oxford University and GeoPoll found that more than half of respondents (53 per cent) were “more worried about climate change now than last year, and four out of five want their countries to strengthen commitments to address climate change”.

About 63 per cent are mindful of climate change impact when deciding on where to live or work and what to buy.

It is a folly to ignore climate change and those who do so are in a shrinking minority.

Maggie Cowling, Coburg North, Vic

Australia is misleading the world when it pretends it is doing something about global climate, which is impossible given our limited emissions and the fact others are increasing their aggregate emissions regardless.

It is like a skinny kid getting into the ring with Mike Tyson while Chris Bowen proudly proclaims: look, we are punching above our weight.

We are going blindly where only fools tread while wiser heads just get on with trying to improve their productivity.

Graham Thomas, Kadina, SA

Act early on Rudd

Kevin Rudd’s poor judgment in attacking Donald Trump is only surpassed by Anthony Albanese’s lack of judgment in publicly and emphatically supporting his ambassador’s position (“ ‘Village idiot’ slur casts new cloud over Rudd role”, 13/11).

Rudd’s vicious public comments have, by any standard, made his position in the US untenable. Albanese should strike first and recall him, thereby saving any embarrassment for himself and the country when Trump, after assuming the role of president, publicly declares Rudd persona non grata.

The Prime Minister must have missed the memo from Trump about how he values loyalty above all other virtues.

Tom Moylan, Dudley Park, WA

How can Anthony Albanese’s support of Kevin Rudd be interpreted by Donald Trump in any other way than as an implicit endorsement of his inflammatory remarks?

The defence by some Rudd supporters that both JD Vance and Elon Musk have also been severely critical of Trump in the past does not hold water. Both Vance and Musk have emphatically renounced their previous positions. Rudd has not. How could he without losing considerable face? But, more to the point, Trump needs both these men. He does not need Rudd.

Our relationship with the US is strong and important but, realistically, we are the supplicant.

Peter O’Brien, Kiama, NSW

Burden of bureaucracy

The appointment of 26,000 extra public servants should come as no surprise (“Anthony Albanese’s public sector splurge costs taxpayers an extra $5bn”, 13/11).

It’s in Labor’s DNA. Public service unions look after Labor and Labor reciprocates. It’s a cosy arrangement with taxpayers left footing a massive bill.

What comes as a shock are the costs, which are ongoing year after year, all carried by taxpayers. It adds to inflationary pressures that are also borne by taxpayers who are already doing it tough. Bloated bureaucracies with limited real productivity performance are counter to a vibrant Australian economy.

Lee Smith, Kenmore, Qld

Excellent call

Congratulations to Margin Call for its excellent reporting on Simon Holmes a Court (“Attempt to rewrite history fails”, 12/11).

It has been claimed Climate 200 did not target Liberal seats at the last federal election but this has been exposed as unfounded due to his own admissions they worked to target specific seats.

Lynda Morrison, Bicton, WA

New low for super

I was not surprised to learn about Cbus and the delayed payments to people who deserved them (“Cbusted: A super-sized betrayal of the grieving”, 13/11). There is nothing lower than a company or person who takes advantage of the disabled.

Lizzie Haydon, Runcorn, Qld