Votes from the resources states not guaranteed for PM without coal

Anthony Albanese should mark well comments made by CFMEU mining and energy national president Tony Maher, who labelled energy spokesman Mark Butler’s anti-coal and gas speech to a climate change online seminar on Wednesday as a “gratuitous insult” to blue-collar workers and regional communities (“Gas stance an insult to workers”, 25/9). Butler said coal and gas are last-century fuels that adversely affect our climate, health, security, safety and our continued prosperity.

While Scott Morrison supports gas, these days he wouldn’t be seen dead clutching a lump of coal (“Coal — Australia’s great and costly retreat”, 24/9). He, too, should listen to Maher because votes from the resources states in last May’s federal election, which granted the Coalition another term, are not guaranteed next time round. Far from being last century, fossil fuels, particularly coal, are vital for keeping the wheels of industry turning, jobs secure and our way of life intact. Any party that believes otherwise does so at its peril.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

Mark Butler actively discouraging investment in Australia’s natural gas resources is neither helpful to the economy nor the environment. Many industries rely on natural gas for feedstock and energy and cannot wait until renewables meet requirements.

Don McMillan, Paddington, Qld

Australia will not entertain building nuclear power stations or nuclear-powered submarines — but happily sells uranium to countries who do. We are phasing out coal-fired power stations but are very happy to supply our coal to other nations who continue with them. A lucky country maybe, but smart? Not so much.

Robin Billen, Noosa Heads, Qld

I can’t help thinking how insensitive Nick Cater’s article “Turn off the hot-air mob, turn up the gas” (25/9) might appear to all those impacted by the severity of last season’s fires. Cater’s right, we are truly spoiled for choice with our energy options in Australia. Now that experiments with renewable energy are finally bearing fruit, I don’t understand why he suggests giving up.

Tom Hunt, Oak Flats, NSW

It has been interesting, if not reassuring, to read the new Technology Roadmap and to gain an insight into what the authors presumably regard as the way forward, at least for now.

It would be even more reassuring if we could assume they have a more immediate version of the roadmap to ensure continuity and adequacy of electricity supply in the event, heaven forbid, that the sabre-rattling in the Middle and Far East turns really nasty. Reliance on renewables in that event would be a non-starter, with steel and aluminium production and arms manufacture ramped up to 24-hour operation.

Derek Fern, Box Hill, Vic

A good sport

So sad to hear of the sudden death of Dean Jones at only 59 (“Cricket legend Jones taken too soon”, 25/9). I remember his last Test, played in Brisbane, but I don’t remember when. What I do remember is his compassion toward the ground staff at the Gabba. Play was interrupted by a sudden hail storm of dangerous proportions. While staff were struggling to cover the wicket Jones emerged from the pavilion with an armful of Australian helmets and distributed them around to the staff so that they could protect themselves.

Ed Jackson, Goolwa, SA

Vale, Dean Jones. Apart from his prowess at the wicket, Jones would invariably be signing whatever was presented to him at the end of game day, much to the delight of the sporting public.

His proud legacy now lives on as an invaluable part of Australian and Victorian cricket history.

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea, Tas