Energy: The right and wrong ways to wield power

Why does Resources Minister Matt Canavan need to visit Liddell power station to see for himself when AGL has refused to "kowtow to Canberra"? Does he not think there is a reason only 1 per cent of coal-fired plants worldwide have celebrated their 50th birthday? Senator Canavan and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pay lip service to the need for affordable and reliable power, which will not be provided by such decrepit infrastructure that has passed its use-by date.

Beverley McIntyre, Camberwell

Some understand change is imperative

Why are we fed lies and half-truths by this coal-loving government? It describes Liddell as an 1800 megawatt power station when, in reality, it is so unreliable that it supplied only about half of this, 950 megawatt, over the summer. Yes, AGL is a big greenhouse gas producer, but Andy Vesey understands the imperative to move from coal and gas and to embrace renewables and storage. Mr Vesey knows that he must contribute to reducing climate change because it is morally right to do so. So Malcolm Turnbull and his coal mates can grovel all they like at Vesey's feet. Like Margaret Thatcher, the CEO of AGL is not for turning. Let's hope he stays that way and other energy companies follow his example.

Jill Dumsday, Ashburton

Coal is a futile fantasy option

Why would a company seeking to protect future investments and income jeopardise its commercial prospects by giving up building a project for a long-term profitable future in Australia's energy markets, with an asset like the full blown power grid network, fully paid up, at their doorstep right now? Why entertain the futile fantasy that coal is the answer for a few more, short-term Coalition votes? The best thing about the old Alcoa smelter in the western district of Victoria is that is has thrown a lifeline to the wind generators who need a serious connection into Victoria's centralised grid.

We need to seriously think about the alternative, crucial strategic uses of our hard-earned assets and understand how others view them.

Rob Ward, Lake Tyers Beach

FORUM

Growth pains

Janet Rice ("Wrong way, go back", The Sunday Age, 1/4) and Tony Walker ("Immigration tipping the balance", The Age, 2/4) remind us of the great strains on our transport infrastructure arising from Melbourne's fast population growth. Housing, education, health and aged care are also under great pressure. The story is similar in Sydney and Brisbane.

The solutions are multi-faceted. The federal and state governments must harness their fiscal resources, and use them only on infrastructure projects that meet rigorous benefit-cost tests. The tax base should not be undermined by concessions such as the proposed company tax cuts, which would have only very marginal benefits for employment in the long run. Governments should also consider issuing infrastructure bonds, which would be attractive to Australia's huge superannuation funds.

The carrying capacity of the public transport system must be greatly increased. Thinking outside the square could reap substantial benefits. Australia must be creative in addressing its large infrastructure challenges.

Andrew Trembath, Blackburn

Reaching middle age

I can assure Maggie Alderson ("The upside of being an invisible woman", The Sunday Age, 1/4) that with a few exceptions named George Clooney, men also don the cloak of invisibility as they enter their 50s, if not before. It's not a "middle-aged woman" thing, it's just a "middle-aged person" thing.

David Francis, Ivanhoe

Wrong picture

When Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton tells John Silvester ("Naked City", The Age, 7/4) that "this is not America. We are not in conflict. When people need help in the middle of the night it is the police who turn up", he paints an inaccurate picture of policing in America.

Is he suggesting that all of America is in conflict with the police and that when people in America call the police for help in the middle of the night, the police don't show up? Victoria Police has no greater supporter than me, but after 30 years of working in law enforcement in America I can assure you that the commissioner's assertion is wrong and his comments are beneath him.

Tony Bell, Hawthorn East

Walk in their shoes

I agree the pictures of police making arrests are confronting but that is the nature of police work. Usually there are no pictures of what leads up to the arrest. Police are confronted every day with violent attacks and abuse and are expected to respond decisively to quickly end the threat to themselves and bystanders. I wish the critics could face just one day of the extreme violence faced by police every day and see how well they cope.

Danny Stahr, Mont Albert

Logic spill

What wonderful logic from energy giant BP ("BP claims an oil spill off coast a 'welcome boost"', The Age, 7/4).

I can see the headlines now: "Murders encouraged to boost finances of legal profession" or perhaps "Bans on cigarette sales to minors removed, to boost future economies of the medical profession".

Sorry BP, but I don't think even your shareholders would agree that an oil spill in the pristine Great Australian Bight or any other wilderness area is good for the economy.

Christina Foo, Wahroonga, NSW

What planet?

Please tell me I'm dreaming ("BP claims an oil spill off coast a 'welcome boost"', The Age, 7/ 4). What planet do these people inhabit? Even if they were talking about the economic impact of cleaning up after a natural disaster, it would be totally illogical. But they are seriously suggesting that it wouldn't really matter if they actually caused a major environmental disaster in the first place. Has our society completely lost all sense of proportion and responsibility?

Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale

Collision on Monash

The Coalition MPs who want to call themselves the "Monash Forum" presumably do so to lend themselves some credibility and status. However, descendants of Sir John Monash have requested that his name is not used by this pro-fossil fuel lobby group, as they believe Sir John would have been in favour of renewable energy.

Typically the MPs are ignoring the family request, as they ignore the climate science. It's time to let these self-interested bullies know that they are not representative of the people.

Deborah O'Connor, Berrys Creek

Perhaps Blamey

Many readers have commented on the inappropriateness of a neo-conservative group using the innovative and creative General Monash as a symbol of their think-tank group.

May I suggest Sir Thomas Blamey might be a better choice. After all he established his career going into battle with the unions when he was Victoria's police commissioner.

David Horner in his biography of Blamey noted that the police force's official historian observed that "Blamey's style of dealing with public protest was confrontationist, readily violent and generally ruthless".

He surely ticks all the boxes for an Abbott think-tank.

Kevin Brown, Castlemaine

Home advantage

The Commonwealth Games TV coverage is very comprehensive. Out of interest, are any other countries competing besides Australia?

Rob Willis, Wheelers Hill

On the outer

Before David Warner tries to become a better "teammate" he needs to recognise that he is not in the team anymore and might never return to it.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill

Public housing

The windfall received by the Victorian government from Canberra is very welcome news indeed ("GST surprise puts Victoria a billion dollars up", The Age, 6/4). Can we suggest to Daniel Andrews and his government how we would like to see it spent? It's our money after all. It could be used to improve public housing estates that have been deliberately neglected over many years, which is the excuse for selling it all off.

Marion Harper, Reservoir

Has-beens be gone

No, Imre Salusinszky, ("Could Costello save the Coalition?", The Age, 5/4) we don't need any more has-beens in Parliament, there are more than enough there already. Abbott should have resigned at the last election along with several of his mates. Let some younger people have a go.

Lorraine Bates, Surrey Hills

Meaning of work

I disagree with Emma Dawson ("Universal basic income ignores the value of work", The Age, 6/4) regarding work being an end in itself. Numerous Australians work to put bread on the table and not due to the inspiration or love for their jobs. Money gives their lives vital if feeble meanings. If everyone was provided with generous supplies of meaningfulness work might turn out to "be nice" but as it stands, for most Australians, work is merely a means to an end and not of great satisfaction in itself.

Lois Roberts, Elwood

Who else?

The figures that "62 per cent support the incumbent" and "want Turnbull to stay" is a heroic assumption to make about the Fairfax/Ipsos poll numbers. More likely the figures reflect the lack of any appealing alternative candidate for the Liberal leadership. Equally, I think the numbers reflect the electorate's desire to not return to the messiness of another leadership change, and rather to allow any change in leader to be done via the voters at the next general election.

Ross Crawford, Frankston

Helmet point

Aren't we missing the point? Seems we all agree on the benefits for every cyclist wearing helmets. But surely the point at issue is whether or not they remain compulsory?

Raeleene Gregory, Ballarat East

Brain protector

All blokes wear a protector when they play cricket, but some don't want to put on a crash helmet when cycling apparently. Just goes to show where they think their brains are.

Merv Collins, Fitzroy North