‘The energy market is a new toy for rich kids to play with’

Current affairs: Mike Cannon-Brookes, billionaire founder of Atlassian and latter-day energy market player. Picture: Supplied

Welcome to the column where you provide the content. As a growing gas and energy crisis bites, Robert Gottliebsen wrote that the rising cost of electricity is set to put out of business many small electricity retailers, with the likes of Origin and AGL the big winners. He also noted the irony of Mike Cannon-Brookes set to benefit from soaring coal prices, despite buying 11pc of AGL with the aim of closing its coal assets. Lennard was less than impressed:

“It looks like the energy market is the new toy for the rich kids to play with, they make more money and we either go cold or broke or maybe both trying to pay the energy bills.”

Newport noted:

“It’s not ironic. It’s entirely predictable; there are numerous examples of billionaires and private equity funds throttling supply in energy markets by supporting green politics, and reaping huge financial windfalls as a result.

“Now, I am not at all saying that MCB is not driven by a desire to save the planet, but it’s funny how all these very rich folks keep getting richer from the social movements they back.”

John wasn’t overjoyed:

“Gotta love the hypocrisy of these guys. One the one hand, preaching the global warming orthodoxy and the need to shut down anything hydrocarbon for the good of the planet. On the other hand, they are making a truck load of money out of what’s happening.

“Pity the little guy, the small businesses, manufacturing, the tax payer who are all paying vastly escalated prices for energy whether it’s electricity, gas or petrol. A very unprogressive transfer of wealth from the punters to a privileged elite.”

Angela was aghast:

“I am absolutely staggered to learn that so much of our electricity power generation capacity is owned by foreign interests, particularly Chinese interests. The unkindest cut of all being that the NSW government actually sold a coal fired power station to Chinese interests. That ‘Australian is a Lucky Country governed by second rate people who share in its luck’ has never rung so true.”

Geoff cautioned:

“Even the big companies such as AGL and Origin are more vulnerable than you might think because they don’t necessarily directly own the mines that supply the coal to their electricity generators and they (AGL particularly) may not own or produce the gas that they retail to customers. Their supply of coal and gas depends on their supply contracts with upstream producers. Gas and coal producers may prefer selling to overseas customers for mor money than to domestic retailers.”

Benjamin2 reckoned:

“We are watching the death throes of the fossil fuel industries here. There is no way that they can survive this level of unreliability and the financial burden they are placing on all Australian families.”

Blowback from Jason S:

“ ‘Unreliable’ fossil fuels are still more reliable than the wind and solar we are replacing them with. Plus wind and solar absolutely cannot work unless firmed by gas. That’s a fact.”

Ben was glum:

“It’s more likely we are seeing the death throes of our high standard of living and our plunge into energy poverty, precisely because we are making it impossible to develop or use fossil fuels. And for what?

“Whether we reduce our 1pc of emissions by 28pc, 43pc or 60pc, it will have absolutely no effect on the global climate and it will not stop bushfires or floods.”

Keeping it teal: ‘Independents’ ring master Simon Holmes a Court. Picture: Josie HaydenKeep

Joanne said:

“Visited the coal fired power station at Gladstone which supplies a bulk of Queensland’s power. I thought it was closed down because they was nothing coming out of chimneys. A local told me they use quality coal and have technology that reduces pollution to almost nothing. We have come a long way and the public would be pleased to see what I saw.”

Thomas doubted:

“There is heaps of pollution billowing out from the chimneys but you can’t see it. Like wind.”

Andrew was angry:

“Energy prices are rising under an ALP government. Wasn’t it a key election platform that this wouldn’t happen?”

Tdawg said:

“Surely any dirty coal profits earned by MCB will be redirected to virtuous climate change causes. It would be hypocritical in the extreme to do otherwise. And I know MCB wants real action on climate change so he will be doing the right thing with honesty and integrity much like his software sales to Russia.”

Woe said William the Elder:

“I foresee a let them eat cake outcome. What is going to happen when the people can’t afford to feed their families or keep them warm in a lighted home at night?”

Daniel said:

“I’ll start believing MCB when he sells at least half of his multitude of properties.”

David added:

“It is not simply an irony (which would normally imply an unintended outcome) that Cannon Brookes stands to profit massively from ‘sharply higher coal prices’, any more than Simon Holmes a Court stands to profit handsomely from the implementation of the policies championed by his gaggle of ‘Independents’ in Parliament. Neither man achieved what he has by failing to think strategically.”

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Toast: Tony Abbott and the art of being in opposition. Picture: Jeremy Piper

In the wake of an election defeat, political parties are typically bombarded with advice, wrote Peta Credlin, as she offered up 10 golden rules for being an effective opposition gleaned from being the former chief of staff “to the last successful Liberal opposition leader”. Claud’s contribution:

“May I suggest Rule #11? Be the champion of small business. The Labor government, allied with the union movement and big business (partly owned by industry super funds) will not be a friend of small business and that is a wonderful and necessary opportunity for Dutton to build a meaningful base.

“Out here in the suburbs we value our butcher, the pool shop guys, the Indian grocer and the other small businesses in our community. We want them to thrive and grow – not be crushed by taxes that big business can pass on to customers – or be harassed because they are not part of a union.”

WA John said:

“Abbott of course forgot Rule 1 which cost a lot of seats between winning government and the next election. Consistency includes not making election promises you don’t intend to keep just to remove a difference with the incumbent.”

Michael mooted:

“One serious piece of work the Liberals could undertake before the next election is to have someone like Alan Tudge oversee a detailed analysis of what is being taught to the young in all sectors of the education system. Then inform the public of the findings and how this is against their and the nation’s best interests.

“An alternative curriculum should be developed and publicised. Make this a major election issue. A similar deep analysis needs to be made of the delusion that a modern civilisation can be predominantly powered by wind and solar. There is plenty of evidence that this is becoming a disastrous pursuit, significantly weakening western democracies. The public needs to be made aware of this as the media has no interest in the reality of this situation.”

G Man was bullish:

“Dutton will easily deal with a floppy incompetent like Albanese. It’s time for the Liberals to stop trying to save the old school wealthy electorates like Higgins and Wentworth and focus on the new emerging liberal power base of the aspirational worker based in the outer suburbs. “Labor will collapse the economy and the Greens and teals experiment will end once the lights go off and the rich folk can’t drive their range rovers or heat their mansions once the gas gets turned off.

“Dutton must adopt nuclear power as the only way forward to provide secure affordable baseline power to drive our economy like so many in the world including the UK, Japan, Finland, France etc.”

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Sheeted home: Amber Heard accused Johnny Depp of multiple savage beatings during her time on the stand. The jury was not convinced. Picture: AFP

A US jury has found both Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard liable for defamation following an intense, high profile trial riding on bitterly contested allegations of domestic abuse, although Depp was widely hailed as the trial’s “winner” after being awarded $10.4m in damages. Damien declared:

“Johnny Depp and his legal team have done more in the last two months, than anyone has done in the last 50 years to shine a light on the emotional and sometimes physical abuse that men usually silently endure at the hands of toxic women.”

Damien23 added:

“The key issue is that Heard thought that Depp would not be believed if he were to claim that he was a victim of domestic violence. There was abundant evidence presented to show that he was a victim of both psychological and physical abuse by Heard. Johnny Depp is not alone in this situation.”

Alaina explained:

“If you read the statement Depp and his team released post the result, it talks about revealing the truth and returning to a place where the mantra is innocent until proven guilty both in the media/public and in the courts. If you read the statement Heard and her team released, it tries to lump her in with all women and the #metoo movement and paints her as a victim of a powerful man. This result is a victory for common sense and reason. We should all be thankful to Johnny Depp’s willingness to throw himself into this meat grinder. We are all better off for it.”

Depp and meaningful: Supporters of the actor have claimed the result as a victory for #mentoo. Picture: AFP

Jane said:

“I imagine Amber thought the pretty woman woke sentiment would cloud the impartiality of truth. It’s not a set back for women, it’s a step forward for truth for men.”

Chrissy hissed:

“These are the same dissipated people who constantly lecture us on how we should be living our lives.”

Anthony A predicted:

“In my opinion Depp will not have the last laugh. Heard has nothing more to lose and will see Depp back in court.”

Doris was dismissive:

“Two unlovely people who brought trouble on themselves. Two court battles. Final score 1-1. Sounds about right to me.”

Patricia’s point:

“The whole purpose of a court case is to deliver justice regarding the issue to the individuals involved, not to ‘send a message’ to aggrieved or oppressed members of the larger community. I (am not a) fan of either protagonist, but even so, my impression is that Depp throughout presented as a man intent on defending himself against accusations of physical and mental abuse towards a partner. This included a perception of social vilification and also loss of income and career opportunities. At no time did Depp or his lawyers suggest that a judgment for him would send a message to female complainants of domestic abuse that they would be disbelieved at all costs by powerful male interests. Nor did Depp and his lawyers suggest a judgment in his favour would send a message of support and belief to male victims of female abuse.

“In contrast, Heard’s case was presented heavily as her being a victim of violent abuse, with a judgment against her apparently representing a betrayal of innumerable female victims of domestic abuse, being discouraged in their attempts to bring rich, powerful misogynic perpetrators to account. Depp’s response to the verdict (’humbled’) and Heard’s (’mountain of evidence’ overruled by rich powerful misogynist) speaks for itself.”

Geoffrey said:

“Quite a few comments here from people who have been looking for a win for men for a while. It’s a shame they have Johnny Depp as the example. Read his text messages before you put him up as a hero.”

Tallulah noted:

“As Rick James said, ‘cocaine’s a helluva drug’.”

­JD said:

“It’s good to read the rational coverage and comments in this newspaper. What I have gathered from the apoplectic coverage of the verdict by the woke left media, is that there was an expectation that the assertion ‘the woman must always be believed’ would be enshrined in law and become a legal precedent as a result of this trial.

“The commentators don’t express it in exactly those terms, of course, but that was the obvious conclusion to be drawn from their reaction. Thankfully, that has not happened.”

Last word to Bob the Seer.

“They’re as dysfunctional as us, just with more money.”

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