Letters to
the editor

March right

Jason Koutsoukis’s article (“ ‘It’s visceral’: Albanese’s fear of anti-immigration rhetoric”, September 20-26) is instructive on many levels. Most notably were the March for Australia rallies, capitalising on the view that immigration is the cause of economic insecurity. These marches were overtaken by fascist and racist ideology. Many countries are experiencing such unrest and often it is the far right with the loudest voice. The economic insecurity that many people are experiencing hasn’t occurred in a vacuum but rather over many years of decisions made or not made by governments. One can expect Pauline Hanson’s political opportunism to come to the fore, as well as the Coalition’s. These are complex issues, and how the Labor government meets these challenges, sustainably and morally, remains to be seen. This includes people who have sought asylum here and still have no clear path forward.

– Judith Morrison, Nunawading, Vic

Kept in the dark

Former chief of the Defence Force Admiral Chris Barrie, a founding member of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group and the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change, has long warned that climate change is a bigger threat to Australia’s security than China. He is exasperated by the government’s refusal to release a major report (Karen Barlow, “Exclusive: Government refuses to release climate security report”, September 20-26). This secrecy deepens what has already been described as an “alarming deterioration in transparency”, with freedom of information requests now at record-low success rates. Under the Albanese government, Australians are being kept in the dark. As Barrie warns, without the report we see only one half of the climate story. Even if the truth is terrifying, the public has a right to know.  We can’t defend Australia blindfolded.

– Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic

Green wealth

Articles about climate change regularly point out the likely cost savings for individual householders who embrace renewable energy (Matt Kean, “How to achieve the new climate target”, September 20-26). There is less focus on the likely improvements to community wellbeing. Consider, for example, the amount of petrol that is currently going into private cars across the nation. The fuel suppliers are owned by foreign interests and profits from petrol mostly go offshore. It is not a circular economy; purchasing petrol essentially strips money from our communities. More electric cars will mean that more of the money previously spent on petrol can remain for local spending. The uptake of electric cars will therefore help to build cumulative community wealth (CCW), which can be enhanced even further where councils take ownership of local renewable energy projects. More articles on how to build community wealth and resilience, please.

– Allan Tonks, Taringa, Qld

Kean outlook

Good news from Matt Kean, or, at least, promising news. With a bold climate plan, the future can be more glowing and less grim. Industry, transport and agriculture will need to reduce emissions. Battery storage and power grids must be improved and energy waste cut. All of this is doable, if difficult. The political will needs to be maintained. Labor has a clear mandate on net zero. The Nationals are a lost cause on a scientific approach to climate action. Liberals are divided. Right-wing media denigrate supporters of net zero. The ultimate insult seems to be that Sussan Ley is “Labor-lite” on climate. According to Sky News, Kean has “renewables delusion” and “had the gall to bash his own party’s nuclear policy”. A problem for Labor is of their own making: many approvals of new gas and coal production. Australia certainly needs to implement a bold climate plan, ignoring the white noise of climate deniers.

– John Hughes, Mentone, Vic