NAB chairman’s performance was underwhelming

Good governance demands the NAB board ask tough questions.

As a shareholder and former senior employee of NAB, I wish NAB chairman Ken Henry happy Christmas — hopefully his last on the board. His performance at the banking royal commission was underwhelming.

As if counsel assisting needed reminding, Henry found a moment to say he was previously Treasury secretary. Henry was affirming his elevated position and that he was above the fray of the royal commission. Henry apparently believes he is too important to face irritating questions from barristers.

Despite his wisdom, he does not possess the skills to chair a large corporation, especially one so comprehensively mired in the wrongdoings of its executives.

As a former public servant, Henry revealed why the bank is in a dire mess. The right questions are not being asked of management and the board is therefore unable to do its job.

Good governance demands the board ask all the tough questions it likes. Either directors knew of the bank’s wrongdoings, and didn’t act, or they didn’t know, but should have.

John Simpson, Melbourne, Vic

Nuclear bounty

Ron Boswell may be right that the generation of electricity causes only a third of our carbon dioxide emissions, but the national president of the Electric Energy Society has estimated these could be cut by nearly 95 per cent — with relatively little increase in cost — by using nuclear power (“CO2 targets will slice and dice our economy”, 28/11). To achieve a similar reduction using renewables (with no subsidies) would quadruple the cost.

On the remaining two-thirds of our CO2 emissions, I doubt that many Australians would be prepared to give up meat and dairy products, but I would certainly be happy to drive an electric car, if I could recharge it during a windless night, and travel on an electrically driven high-speed train.

And how about more light rail to replace buses? The cost and disruption caused by such a change, while it was happening, would be nothing compared with permanent, unreliable and expensive renewables.

Don Higson, Paddington, NSW

Post-Brexit Anglosphere

Greg Sheridan’s comment “May’s Brexit capitulation would see trade hopes cast adrift” (28/11) is an encouragement to those who hope for an alignment of nations based on our shared heritage. If Britain leaves the EU, the prospect of an Anglosphere joining the US, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand would be enhanced.

We already share intelligence through the Five Eyes, have military co-operation, and demonstrate our common values as we provide the greatest portion of the world’s welfare needs. This bond has also been forged in times of conflict.

Such an alliance would bring together 480 million people. Should old alliances with India and South Africa be included, these estimates would be even greater.

Bible students have believed such an alliance is prophesied. A group known as the Young Lions would support Israel and be in opposition to an alliance of Russia, Iran and Turkey. This possibility of an Anglosphere should occupy the thinking of commentators as alliances are broken and nations realign.

Frank Lowry, Geelong, Vic

Respect must be earned

Former Test cricket captain Michael Clarke might want a return to the behaviour that saw him threaten England number-11 batsman Jimmy Anderson with an “effing broken arm”. Once upon a time, Australian teams played hard without resorting to obscenities and cheating. They were respected by other sides and had the support of cricket lovers which, after the South African debacle, will have to be earned again.

Ron Sinclair, Bathurst, NSW