We cannot afford the excessive economic cost of net zero

Aside from wanting to win the next general election at all costs, what does this Albanese government stand for?

On the one hand, the substantial cost of its headlong rush towards net zero is making life financially difficult for the public, while also making Australia uncompetitive on world markets. On the other hand, by exporting large amounts of coal and gas, it is turning a blind eye to the overall worldwide deleterious impact that it has on the environment.

It appears as though the government’s left hand does not know what its right hand is doing (“The net-zero zealots are fading into irrelevance”, 12/12).

It’s time for this spineless Albanese government to show some spine and some leadership qualities by initiating a much-needed tax review and put a moratorium on supermarket food pricing, which for some time now has been exponentially escalating out of control.

Common sense also dictates that it moderate its foolhardy, ego-initiated rush towards net zero, as we are giving the rest of the world a free kick that Australia can ill afford under the current circumstances.

Mario Stivala, Belconnen, ACT

Adam Creighton confirms that the Australian Energy Market Operator, the resources giants, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, governments, the annual COP performances and all “the net-zero zealots are fading into irrelevance”.

Our Australian parliament, however, isn’t, and won’t be, no matter what economic decline ensues as a direct result of the forecast trillion-dollar “monumental policy failure” of our world-leading renewables revolution flop. Failing now and doubling down for more.

Just as our MPs are not going to give up their travel perk, they will never stop believing in the proven fantasy of achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, and saving the world from global warming. They never debate their delusions, only propagandise them.

Betty Cockman, Dongara, WA

Why Ukraine must win

For a long time, Adolf Hitler fooled a lot of people about his character and intentions. Vladimir Putin is even better at that; negotiation with someone like him never works.

Understandably, Ukraine refuses to surrender. In Russia there is huge corruption, a military with enormous losses in which promotion depends more on fawning loyalty than on merit, a very weak economy, a ruthless dictatorship, and so on. That’s partly why Ukraine might and must win the war.

Bob Cowley, Broadview, SA

‘Socialist’ media goal

While many are slapping each other on the back for being the first in the world for banning under-16s from using social media, what it really represents is the pinnacle of socialism (“Model for world: young kids go offline”, 11/12).

The government has, ultim­ately, taken over the bringing up of children, taking responsibility away from parents. Why couldn’t the government simply legislate a ban on the posting of certain items on social media? Instead, it has taken a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.

Further, we see babies as young as three months old put into the care of strangers so that mothers can carry on working. The first year of life is the most important part of a person’s life, when they should be in the loving care of their mother. Instead, they are handed over to strangers to care for.

This is the ultimate goal of socialism, the moulding of young minds from an early age. It has been achieved in Australia.

Mary Hackshaw, Northwood, Vic

Avoid European mess

As the Coalition develops an alternative policy on immigration, it would do well to reflect on Donald Trump’s criticisms of the failure of European leadership, seen as weak and overseeing irretrievable national decay. Immigration is considered a funda­mental case for this demise. Trump’s comments could be applied to Australia. We have a mass immigration policy that generates local economic stress. A generation is being denied home ownership, once a given for Australians. Rising rents only exacerbate their problems. Also, our policy does not promote integration and social cohesion.

In dumping net zero, the Coalition has given the nation an alternative policy. Australians will be looking for a Coalition immigration policy that makes social cohesion and economic fairness a priority. It needs to avoid the pitfalls now engulfing Europe.

Martin Newington, Aspendale, Vic

Bushfire safety

Events of the past few days demonstrate once again that we are underprepared to deal with the kind of bushfires that have destroyed many homes in NSW. We need a massive increase in bushfire spending to keep us safe.

R. Harrop, Bermagui, NSW