Firstly, the wind deficit in question was closer to 240 GWh, not 320 GWh as John originally stated. Tasmania can export some 95 GWh of excess hydro generation to the mainland over eight days using the existing interconnector. The key issue is how much Victorian and NSW hydro can increase during times of need. They typically average less than 13 GWh per day. However, during a day with very high demand they have a demonstrated ability to increase generation to over 43 GWh. This suggests they could easily generate the extra 145 GWh required over eight days to make up for a shortfall of 240 GWh, and could probably also cope if the shortfall was 320 GWh as originally suggested.

When considering even longer periods, it should be noted that our existing hydro assets historically generate around 1400 GWh more during winter than summer. Natural water inflows into our hydro dams display an even greater bias to winter, with approximately 4000 GWh more inflow during winter than summer. Our hydro assets are well equipped to cope with many weeks of deficits of solar and wind generation during winter.

Rohan Goyne (Letters, December 22) criticised "the PM going on a scheduled holiday to Hawaii irrespective of the fact that the country faced a national bushfire crisis". That criticism is unfair. When the PM went on leave the country did not face a national crisis; that came later.

Also, the PM's return to Australia was not required; indeed, it would have been a distraction. The work to be done was that of the professional fire-fighting organisations. They certainly did not need to be distracted by politicians seeking photo opportunities. Any immediate requirements of government could have been handled by state governments and the deputy PM.

I suspect the criticism was based on political bigotry rather than genuine concern. I am, however, critical of the PM's actions in Hawaii. When advised of the fires he should have said "thank you for the advice, stay calm and carry on" and remained on holiday for the few days left. His immediate job was to keep out of the way of those whose actions were required, thus demonstrating his faith in them. It's called leadership.

That is a quality the PM seems to lack, as demonstrated by his non-adherence to the "we're all in this together" approach needed in the COVID crisis (no temporary tax was placed on high income earners who kept their jobs), and his subservience to the US as demonstrated by his disloyalty to Julian Assange, and his ridiculous criticisms of China).

If the President of the USA can literally sign a "get out of jail" order for his convicted criminal mates, surely our Prime Minister can set free the non-criminal asylum seekers and refugees who have languished in immigration detention centres and in limbo on temporary visas for years, including the two little Biloela girls who just spent a third Christmas not free.

For months the strip of land between Athllon Drive and the rear of homes in Pridham Street, Farrer, has not seen a grass-cutter. The grass on the slope beside Athllon Drive has been cut as has the strip right along the back fences of the properties in that street. Between them is a thick, tall forest of weeds.

I understand the areas concerned are the responsibility of different cutters. The untended area is the responsibility of forestry. They aren't doing their job. Is it that what you don't see from the road doesn't matter?

It is ludicrous to have two organisations undertaking this work - the fence line strip [one-third of the width], the second strip [another one-third], then the strip above Athllon Drive [the last one-third]. Why cannot the one group cut the lot?

I certainly do not wish a fire hazard left at my back door nor do I wish to be confronted by a snake slithering out to sun itself on the cleared area or coming into my backyard.

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