That being the case, why do they still need such large subsidies, renewable energy certificates, priority in selling their electricity to the grid etc?

He also claims China has pledged to spend $482 billion over the next four years on renewables, intimating wind and solar are the object of this largesse, whereas nuclear and hydro are the main recipients.

The Chinese are not foolish enough to go overboard on wind and solar. He also rails against the Adani mine project.

You mustn't let those Indians climb out of poverty, have efficient industry providing jobs etc must you?

Also many jobs will be created in Australia with that project.

Wind and solar are entirely reliant on subsidies and always will be. The sun does not always shine nor the wind always blow at a convenient velocity.

John Mckerral, Batemans Bay, NSW

Bill McKibben summarises the situation admirably. We are playing for high stakes.

If saving the world is not sufficient incentive, enlightened self-interest should persuade Australia's captains of industry to bring more influence to bear on the Australian government.

Given the speed and scale of developments in China and Europe, the ground rules necessary to shift to a low-carbon Australian economy are urgently needed. For establishing these rules, the buck stops with government.

The views of eminent economists, including Sir Nicholas Stern and Professor Ross Garnaut, have been in the public domain for a decade or more.

But with notable exceptions such as Ian T. Dunlop ("Time for honesty on climate, energy policy" CT December 12, p15) and, in the opposing camp the sectional views of the Minerals Council, senior Australian industrialists have to date chosen to remain silent.

David Teather, Reid

Christian Porter, Minister for Social Services, disregards that pensioners are being forced by the government to resolve financial matters by telephone where they do not have the time to consider the issues, phrase their answers clearly, may not have the required documentation immediately to hand and have no clear record of the conversation.

This is unjust.

Moreover the pensioners can be required to wait for extended periods on the telephone or may even be disconnected.

Many pensioners cannot afford a fixed line telephone service and an extended wait can become prohibitively expensive on a mobile phone. This is unreasonable.

This whole-of-government implementation has defects which, while they may involve only a small percentage of the DHS clients identified, warrant a more humane and conciliatory approach while equitable procedures are established.

Mr Porter's attitude that "it's only a few so they don't matter" is unacceptable.

Gary J. Wilson, Macgregor

Colleen Lewis ("The reason we haven't had expenses reform", January 13, p29) is spot on in calling for meaningful reform of MPs' entitlements and political donation regime and the establishment of a federal ICAC.

Both major parties have been aware of the need for these reforms for many years but have never attempted to implement them for obvious amoral reasons.

A federal ICAC would indeed be an excellent start, provided it was immune from politicisation.

Appointment of failed politicians as ambassadors ahead of career diplomats is a cynical expression of their disdain of the electorate's opinions.

I think the two major parties are too indebted to their donors and their cartel has made them morally complacent. It is time for the electorate to fix our broken democracy. Voting for parties is not the answer.

Max Jensen, Chifley

A cloven-hoofed parade of politicians using their positions to enrich themselves in one way or another is a poor reflection on Australian "democracy".

Trips from the public purse, trips to holiday hotspots and football finals are not what these serial offenders were elected to do.

Buying top real estate while claiming to be doing important government work, and then putting in a hefty bill — should the electorate be treated as fools? Surely such grasping, narcissistic, shameless, acquisitive behaviour deserves punishment.

When exposed, this lot make paper-thin excuses, and claim to have done nothing wrong!

Something is very amiss with these politicians' ethical compasses if that is the best they can do.

Bring back the stocks!

Roy Darling, Florey

Given Andrew Barr attends major cricket and AFL interstate events at taxpayer expense purportedly to lobby for international matches to be held in Canberra ("Top cricket name backs Barr's visits" January 17, p5) wherefore Manuka Oval, surely the most inaccessible site in Canberra?

The problem is with the "want-it-now" culture that underpins Barr's electoral base. True planning is about future generations appreciating the foresight and goodwill of those who went before them. If Canberra's population were to double in step with the deployment of a light rail network, it would remain a sparsely populated city primarily dependent on its road network for transport.

The road network topography is such that the centre of Canberra is Molonglo (measured by minimum aggregate travel time from all points). This is likely to remain so. Is there one planner in this godforsaken place?

A. Smith, Farrer

The abuse of the elderly is a bigger problem than most people realise. The shame of it all [is] where do these victims seek help, when no one listens and no one cares.

The government must take direct action now to stop the abuses of our elderly.

Richard Ryan, Summerland Point, NSW

Some people are not impressed with Australia Day and wish to protest and call it invasion day.

Accept reality and understand history. Since time immemorial, armies have conquered countries that were unable to defend their borders.

Examples include Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, Alexander the Great, the Roman Empire, Napoleon, and Hitler.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, we saw the major European powers invade South America, Asia and Africa.

Portugal, Spain, Holland and France were particularly brutal in the way they behaved, but that was normal for the time.

Australia was always going to be invaded, everyone knew there was a large continent in the South Pacific, who was going to get there first?

Aborigines are deluding themselves if they think that their way of life was never going to change.

They should thank their lucky stars they were invaded by England, which brought English law and customs. It could have been so much worse — just ask the Aztecs, Incas, Africans, or those living in the Middle East where "new" countries were created by just drawing lines on a map, ignoring local demographics and religious beliefs.

John Burns, Hall.

I'm sure we've all noticed this renewed push for Australia to become a republic — all those people exhorting us to "grow up and get our own head of state".

Well, all you clever advanced thinkers, tell me how we go about avoiding our very own "Donald Trump" and I might start listening.

All the evidence says money gets elected and Australians seem no better at measuring worth at elections than anyone else. Why else would political parties sell their souls to raise funds for elections?.

Till you can convince me "that won't happen here", I'm happy to stick with what we've got. The Windsors may be elitist, rich, out of touch, not elected! But they really don't seem to meddle in our affairs much and their power seems fairly limited.

Not so the mad megalomaniacs who think that, because they've been able to cheat, steal, lie and otherwise do whatever is necessary (perhaps even occasionally work!) to accumulate masses of riches, they can somehow contribute something positive to national and world affairs.

Gabriel Brown, Murrumbateman, NSW

A warning should be issued to all visitors entering the ACT along the Barton Highway as well as to ACT residents regarding the dangers they face when using the Barton Highway/William Slim Drive/Gundaroo Drive roundabout.

It is the busiest highway into the National Capital and everyone has the right to feel safe when using it.

Over Christmas/New Year our visitors from Queensland and Victoria found it very confusing in daylight and even more so at night, to be suddenly confronted by nine sets of lights and road markings in every direction.

Whilst driving south along the Barton Highway, using the right hand (turn right only) lane we indicated we were turning right into William Slim Drive.

We entered the roundabout on the green light and were suddenly confronted by a red light just inside the roundabout. We stopped only to be tail-ended by another vehicle which was also turning right.

There seems to be an awful lot of confusion and almost every time we use this roundabout we have witnessed near collisions.

The ACT Green-Labor government and ACT Roads have created a nightmare and should be held accountable for the sheer stupidity of the whole concept.

It seems only a matter of time before someone is killed or very seriously injured. It may have cost less than a fly-over but surely motorists' lives are worth more than a few extra dollars.

L. J. Thompson, Gungahlin

During the Normandy landings tanks were fitted with a flail on the front. These churning blades cleared beach defences and made clear a path for the invading forces.

Such equipment would be useful for Canberra's footpaths. Lazy home owners allow tree branches, garden plants, bins, rubbish and parked cars to block any progress along the footpath.

Wouldn't need a tank; just a modest machine to whizz around the suburbs and clear the way for pram pushers, dog walkers and other foot traffic.

Ray Barnett, Ainslie

Considering the money squandered in Peter Dutton's portfolio can we now see Malcolm Turnbull have him fall on his sword?

Or are we going to see Dutton smacked on the wrist with a lettuce leaf while lesser mortals take the blame?

If history is anything to go by it will only be a short time before business as usual.

D. J. Fraser, Currumbin, Qld.

D. J. Fraser, and Paul McElligott (letters, January 20) refer to rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. The Titanic hit an iceberg in midwinter. There were no deckchairs in use to rearrange. The Titanic sank because there was no proper lookout. The Labor opposition's motley crew is in a similar position; huddling in mutual warmth and not looking ahead for icy threats from the world's political uncertainty.

Paul Fitzwarryne, Yarralumla

Malcolm Turnbull has made an excellent choice in Greg Hunt for Minister for Health.

In an interview with Greg Hunt ("Sick of no prevention", January 20, p.29) our new Minister for Health mentioned that prevention needs to stop being a dirty word when it comes to the nation's health. I strongly agree with him on this matter.

Anne Prendergast, Reid

MIX UP, PERHAPS

Victor Diskordia (letters, January 19) says regardless of "who is elected President crony capitalists are the winners every time" and "the elites, the planners, the insiders and the lobbyists are still running the show". I think he is actually talking about the ACT government or the Australian government, not America.

Geoff Barker, Flynn

BLOODY DISGRACE

No, Dr Anne Wenham, the sexual abuse of students at your institution, St Stanislaus College, Bathurst over an extended period was not, as reported ("School looks towards healing process with victims, canberratimes.com.au, January 20), merely "a failure of the college's mission". It was a bloody disgrace.

D. N. Callaghan, Kingston

MUIR GETS MY VOTE

Disgusted at the politicians that have got their snouts in the trough for travel and accommodation rorts. I call it theft and that's a crime.

They're not sorry, just sorry they got caught.

I admire Ricky Muir, please check his expenses while he was a senator.

Margaret Matthews, Canberra

SWEPT UNDER CARPET

It's instructive, and droll, that the revealing of bipartisan guilt with regard to federal parliamentary entitlement massaging faded the issue from the front page, dimming the spotlight on such as Julie Bishop, Mathias Corman and Chris Bowen.

M. F. Horton, Adelaide, SA

RESIGN, PLEASE

I accept the resignations of those parliamentarians who support the extraction and burning of Australian coal, oil and natural gas. Your entitlements will ensure many years of air-conditioned comfort once retired from the pressures of serving all Australians.

Rosemary Blemings, Flynn

GETTING NO LEY-WAY

Sussan Ley should be placed on a good behavior bond for a week. After all a week in politics is a long time.

Sankar Kumar Chatterjee, Evatt

A HARD BREXIT

A hard Brexit is what happens when you present the voters with a question that has "real" consequences.

Gary Frances, Bexley, NSW

NEW CENSORSHIP

So Centerlink staff get orders from the government: "stop telling the truth. " I wonder how long it will be before the right wing "Freedom of speech" warriors make a huge fuss about this censorship?

Doug Steley, Heyfield, Vic

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