Nationals offer pragmatic approach to politics of energy

Based on its relative electoral success, the National Party is correct in demanding a greater share of Coalition shadow cabinet positions (“Coalition agreement not a ‘foregone conclusion’ amid climate policy rift”, 15/5).

Greater representation from the Nationals would add a backbone of pragmatism and common sense to a wavering Coalition that over the past two federal elections has suffered a case of the collywobbles and reverted to Labor-lite, populist policies not in the national interest.

The Nationals’ support for nuclear power, the superior energy source available today regardless of its zero-emissions capacity, while questioning an economy-wrecking pursuit of a net-zero goal, should be an integral policy of the new Coalition.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

A survey by the IPA reveals that 58 per cent of respondents want to pause our net-zero commitment until we get a reliable energy grid, while only 21 per cent oppose that. Yet the same survey reveals 48 per cent are not prepared to pay anything to achieve net zero, while 26 per cent were willing to pay $1 per week and 19 per cent are prepared to pay $2 per week.

Apart from the fact it would be interesting to see a breakdown of how much fans of net zero are prepared to pay from their own pocket, the figures reveal a disconnect between ambition and reality, as well as a failure by the Coalition to sell its message effectively.

The simple fact is that achieving net zero by 2050 (apart from being impossible, according to all reliable research) is not cost-free – in fact, quite the opposite. It will cost trillions of dollars that can only come from taxpayers. People need to understand this.

The Coalition needs to sell the simple message that net zero and affordable, reliable energy are a binary choice. We can have one or the other, not both. Make voters understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch, every voter must choose one or the other.

John McLeod, Sunshine Coast, Qld

Sweden has a population of 11 million people and six nuclear reactors. It manufactures cars, tanks, aircraft, submarines and military equipment. Australia has a population of more than 25 million, no nuclear reactors and a collapsing manufacturing base. Our re-elected government sees no irony in building nuclear submarines using wind and sunshine. It ignores the folly of burning our coal in China to manufacture and import solar panels and turbines that deface our countryside, in a vain attempt to achieve net zero for no good reason.

It fails to realise that cheap energy is the core of a high standard of living and that we are complacently living beyond our means. The only light at the end of the tunnel is a flickering candle.

Ian Bernadt, Swanbourne, WA

Your correspondents (Letters, 15/5) almost universally condemn Chris Bowen and his plans for a renewables-led energy market. The reality, however, speaks for itself. Renewables are currently providing the cheapest power. Fossil fuels, particularly coal, are increasingly expensive, unreliable and damaging to the environment. Gas will have a role but only to help firm the power system. Nuclear was never going to happen, even the Liberals didn’t believe in it, and was never going to provide any power for at least 15 years anyhow.

Ross Hudson, Mt Martha, Vic

After three years of refining my usage of rooftop electric power – which, without an exorbitantly expensive home battery, can be achieved only by those who are home-based most of the day and constantly mindful of when to switch on the heating, the dishwasher, even the kettle – I noted with some satisfaction that my annual energy cost had reduced to less than one-sixth of the cost in 2022. This also includes extensive use of cost-free firewood during the cooler months.

But then reality hit: exactly half the saving was the government “rebate”, kindly provided by the taxpayer. Talk about smoke and mirrors.

K. MacDermott, Binalong, NSW

Chris Bowen certainly faces the “hard bit” on climate change after Labor’s win in the election (“Politics of renewables have been won, now for hard bit”, 15/5).

Australia and the world will face a much harder future if we don’t face “the realities of engineering, physics and delivery”.

The cost of robust action is less than the cost of allowing the climate crisis to worsen.

John Hughes, Mentone, Vic