Supermarkets face the music for popular marketing strategy

Anthony Albanese has sought to leverage considerable political mileage out of the revelation that the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission is taking Woolworths and Coles to court for the half-smart marketing device of briefly advertising products at a high price, then reducing the price and selling them at a “discount”.

I’m struggling to see the difference between this time-tested dodgy practice and that of the Albanese government in jacking up the price of power through its demonstrably failing energy policy, dishing out a one-off “relief” payment to keep CPI from rising and then claiming credit for reducing inflation. Am I missing something?

Peter O’Brien, Kiama, NSW

Once again we see Anthony Albanese demonstrating his disdain for business with his attempt to discredit the big supermarkets as a means of distracting voters from the multiple failings of his administration. Last year, Woolworths made a profit of $1.6bn from sales of $64.3bn and Coles $1.1bn from $43.6bn. Despite their ubiquitous price manipulation through the proliferation of “special” offers (which they would argue is an effective means of clearing stock), the figures suggest there isn’t much gouging going on.

David Culkin, Cammeray, NSW

Once again it will be the mum- and-dad investors who will be punished when the ACCC fines Woolworths and Coles for their alleged misleading and deceptive conduct. Surely it would be more appropriate to fine the directors of the companies that have perpetrated the alleged fraud on their customers rather than the mum-and-dad investors whose dividends will no doubt be reduced.

Robert Krochmalik, Pearl Beach, NSW

The major supermarkets make 2.5 per cent profit on their sales but banks make much more – yet our politicians pile on the supermarkets.

Why are the banks allowed to add 50 per cent to the Reserve Bank rate to determine the home loan mortgage rate?

The operating cost of a home loan, once started, is very low and even the risk of default leaves the bank owning the house. Perhaps the banks can be persuaded to add only 25 per cent? I think our politicians have their priorities wrong.

Brian C. Povey, Churchlands, WA

Greenies turning red

As Paul Monk outlines, the logic of the Greens’ approach to Israel is indeed perplexing as they appear to have made a conscious decision to diverge from their traditional tree-hugger supporter base and instead court the votes of the radical Marxist, pro-Hamas protester types (“Belligerent Greens offer no advice, only hatred for Israel”, 25/9).

This is rather odd as it would seem that there would be more votes to be found in their less extreme constituency.

Presumably, at election time, these voters will move to Labor even though it is only marginally less radical on Israel.

Alan Freedman, St Kilda East, Vic

Hope for land councils

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s article on the problems with the land councils in the Northern Territory highlights both the risks and opportunities in their operations (“Land council flaws expose ALP failure on accountability”, 25/9).

On the one hand, the land councils can be a conduit for actions and information flows to and from Aboriginal people, governments and other organisations involved in tackling Indigenous disadvantage. On the other hand, the land councils can bring out the worst features of efforts to improve the lives of Indigenous people, which promotes scepticism in the minds of all Australians and promotes resistance to life-improving actions.

Let’s hope Nampijinpa Price and Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy can work together to ensure the land councils take full advantage of the opportunities available and minimise the risks.

Ken Clarke, Tweed Heads, NSW

Basics of going solar

Robert Gottliebsen (“Political zeal risks energy”, 25/9) overlooks one major point.

Simply installing solar cells on every available factory/warehouse roof may overcome problems using rural land. However, it does not keep power running 24/7 and 365 days a year. Storage of power when the sun doesn’t shine must be vital part of any solar project.

Large-scale planning of a solar panel system is needed since, basically, when the solar cells are operating, they must not only supply the community’s demands but also replenish the electric power storage facilities.

It would be helpful if the planning for the transformation in the power-generating business was taken from the hands of the politicians and climate change enthusiasts and put into the hands of engineers who understand the full requirements of a reliable electric power system.

John Rowney, Mermaid Beach, Qld