A less cautious man than me may well ask what Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey have to gain by blatantly attempting to sink investment in renewable energy. Is it merely a conga-line of conservatives queuing up to push John Howard's "clean coal" fantasy? Or is it more sinister than that?
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When the government changes (as it must if Bill Shorten ever departs the ALP leadership), a Labor government could do worse than hold a royal commission into the funding, sources and quantum, of both the Abbott government and individuals within it. No sane and unbiased person would view the current inquiry into the unions and deny that skullduggery may have occurred over the years.
Likewise, no neutral commentator in the future is likely to find the Coalition composed of cleanskins when it comes to corrupt behaviour. To suggest for one moment that an open-cut coal mine, or coal-fired power station, is less offensive to the eye (let alone the lungs) than a wind turbine draws into question either the sanity or the motives of the speaker.
As for those NIMBYs who proclaim that wind turbines "ruin beautiful landscapes", I, for one, find the giant windmills fascinating additions to landscape, being both majestic and a sign of hope for future unborn generations of both mankind and the animal kingdom.
S. Kennedy, Corunna, NSW
Treaty treatments
One thing Sam Nona (Letters, July 15) and the German taxpayers might consider is the difference between the Versailles Treaty, which beggared Germany after it began and lost World War I, and the Marshall Plan which restored Germany after it began and lost World War II. The current arrangement with Greece is in the spirit of Versailles, whereas the Greeks were looking for the spirit of Marshall.
Under the recently cut deal, all Greek public assets will be stripped and put in the care of a corporation which will sell them. This is an invasion of national sovereignty of the kind we would never cop. The corporation will be domiciled in the tax haven, Luxembourg, where the proceeds of the sales of Greek assets will no doubt be taxed by Luxembourg. Well done, that man Juncker!
S.W. Davey, Torrens
Tripped up
So, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop, continues to trip the light fantastic in her selfless service of team Australia, with her arrival at a Liberal Party function via a chartered helicopter flight described as simply "spectacular" by one attendee ("Speaker Bronwyn Bishop charters chopper for Liberal event", canberratimes.com.au, July 16).
Of course, while Labor ritually seeks to flay Ms Bishop's conspicuous consumption with a feather boa, breathlessly arguing that it doesn't pass the "pub test", exhausted and dispirited taxpayers are simply expected to ignore the larger offence, which is that the "iron maiden's" activities, along with those of the rest of her self-interested, self-indulgent political cohort, are all "in accordance with the guidelines and within entitlement".
John Richardson, Wallagoot, NSW
Not so long ago, Peter Slipper was alleged to have misappropriated his travel entitlements by using a Comcar illegally, for which the Government vilified and persecuted him, and destroyed his health and wellbeing. He faced inquiries and courts. This went on for months. His alleged gains were hundreds of dollars. Now we see the speaker of the house allegedly committing a similar offence. The purpose, to save 20 minutes going to a government fundraiser using a helicopter costing in excess of $5200 instead of the free Comcar that was available. Will we see Ms Bishop treated similarly to him?
Wally Reynolds, Perth, Tas
Of course Ms Bishop was on official parliamentary business. I can't think of a better way to hone her impartiality skills than to take a taxpayer-funded helicopter to a Liberal party function.
Maria Greene, Curtin
A fine prospect
If the Embassy of "friendly" Saudi Arabia in Canberra cannot be brought to its moral senses regarding its contemptuous, aggravated and serial abuse of the very elementary traffic laws of the ACT and the penalties imposed by our Lilliputian government, what reasonable prospect globally is there of guaranteeing that its neighbour, the middle-eastern theocracy of Iran, will adhere to "agreements" recently entered into to curb its nuclear weapons' ambitions?
Just a thought.
A.M. Whiddett, Yarralumla
Rein in unions
Shock, horror, that allegations have been made of unions (mainly the CFMEU) extorting and intimidating construction industry employers and employees.
Obviously the CT's Editor ("Troubling allegations for CFMEU", Times2, July 15, p2) has been living under a rock, as this practice has been going on for decades in various degrees by different unions.
My experience of this type of behaviour happened in the 1970s when the incoming AWU organiser at that time tried to make my business a closed shop.
It's obvious to any fair-minded person that the message emerging from the commission so far is that unions need to be reined in and be required to meet the criteria of compliance that apply to the corporate sector.
Brendan Ryan, Mawson
Ice age scepticism
The short article "Ice-age warning" (July 13, p7) reported on British research suggesting there would be unprecedented cold in the 2030s, based on new solar cycle modelling. At the risk of undermining the excitement of the climate denial fringe at this news, I must report that science websites I consulted point out that this conclusion depends on holding the view that global warming up to now has not been due to greenhouse gases, but rather to solar activity.
The great majority of climate scientists do not hold the latter view, and so will be doubtful of this latest modelling with regard to drastically affecting global temperatures.
Even the lead researcher on this, Valentina Zharkova, sounds not so sure herself, being quoted as saying "only time will tell".
More generally, solar cycles are just that, cycles.
They come and go, with only temporary effect.
Warming from enhanced greenhouse gas levels, by contrast, shows every sign of being a relentless, very long-term trend.
Paul Pollard, O'Connor
Ticket to ride
The idea of sharing a ride with a neighbour (Letters, July 15) who works at or near the same destination as you is a great congestion-killer, not just for Northborne Avenue. Defence tried it a few years ago, but it was anything but a raging success.
Why? Because no one knew where their unknown co-driver worker lived! Solution: Have you heard of Coseats (www.coseats.com)?
It is totally free.
Input your details, and, hey presto, a lift!
Coseats wants to put advertising stickers on all pay parking machines but after three months, TAMS is still cogitating about it.
They'd rather give Uber a go – the same company that is getting negative publicity wherever it goes.
Something in the water, perhaps?
Russ and Janice Morison, Theodore
Cattle hop in
The ACT government has argued that pro-kangaroo activists don't care about the nature reserve grasslands and the animals that live within them. Yet on Mount Painter this week, there's not a kangaroo to be seen. However, there are plenty of cattle wandering all over the place after discovering fences in disrepair are easy to get through.
Cattle, as non-natives, do far more damage to sensitive native grasslands than kangaroos could ever do. When brought to the attention of a ranger there was simply the shrug of shoulders as a reply.
So where is the government's professed concern for the damage to our reserves? I certainly don't see it.
Carolyn Drew, Page
Rail note off track
People like Elizabeth Morris (Letters, July 15) would be better occupied in reading the available background reports, such as the pathetic business case and learned papers criticising the project, rather than railing about "nonsense about light rail", from a basis of faith instead of facts.
There is no endorsement for the project from any competent economics authority and it would never have been started except for Labor having to agree to the tram in order to retain government after the 2102 election.
M. Flint, vice-chairman, CanTheTram Inc, Erindale
Don't see the Point
It has been brought to my attention that due to the location of the tram on Northbourne Avenue, our very popular visitor's centre is to be re-located to Regatta Point! What is wrong with the present government? Imagine strangers to Canberra trying, first of all, to find Regatta Point and then negotiating the entry with caravans, Winnebagos, and so on, in tow. And where will they park?
Visitors find our present location very easily as most come either from the Barton Highway or the Federal Highway. They are rarely caught up in difficult-to-negotiate city traffic and really appreciate the service provided.
Has anybody else heard of this really stupid idea?
Baden Williams, Lyneham
Camera coup
Thanks so much to Canberra Times readers for sharing their winter photographs ("CT readers' stunning winter photographs" canberra times.com.au). It is further proof that we live in a beautiful city with wonderful, creative people who have been able to capture its grandeur for us all to share. All 58 were great, especially Matt Mawson's "Come in out of the rain, Sir Bob" complete with raindrop at the tip of his nose.
Mike Reddy, Lyons
ROOS FEEL TOO
Kudos to Professor Steve Garlick and numerous animal carers dealing with the orphans from the recent kangaroo cull. I was intrigued with TJ Farquahar's suggestion (Letters, July 14) regarding a magical talking kangaroo.
I wonder if a victim impact statement would impact on the current propaganda promulgated by humans. Doubt it, I'll check myself in.
Chris Doyle, Gordon
FOSSIL FOOL? COOL!
Sitting in a bus behind some teenagers we overheard a hilarious conversation about a fossil fool. Not much doubt who they were talking about!
Colin Handley, Lyneham
HEAR NO WEEVIL
It looks like we voters will have to reference Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander and vote for the lesser of two weevils.
Jim Gralton, Garran
CLIMATE CONUNDRUM
Various religious leaders, including Pope Francis, have recently touted God's enthusiasm for climate action. Yet, spewing volcanic ash from Java would seem the latest action in a terrifying history of divine disregard. Am I missing something here?
Peter Robinson, Ainslie
INSENSITIVE?
I wonder if KL Calvert (Letters, July 16) thought that K. Rudd was insensitive when he told the media in September 2011, "I just think it would be a good thing if everyone seriously had a cup of tea and a Bex and a long lie down, OK?"
Roger Brown, Rivett
DITCH THE BISH
Bronwyn Bishop's sense of entitlement is breathtaking. Considering she was happy to be shown on television (with Tony Abbott) in front of an offensive slogan about Julia Gillard, I say "Ditch the Bish".
Patricia Saunders, Chapman
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