Letters to the Editor
One cannot be an illegal occupier of his own land: Response Letter
February 22, 2024
Thank you for reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity to send a response to this most lopsided factually incorrect article based on questionable legal opinions and obviously written by a person(s) with an extreme left wing agenda and lacking knowledge on International law, and Jewish Zionist history or heritage. It is the typical warped narrative of those trying to besmirch the State of Israel and treat the Jews as foreigners or illegal settlers on their own land. We are the Jewish People and we are the rightful heirs of the G-d given land of Israel and we...
Daniel Luria from Israel
In response to: Stop Australian charitable donations to the Settler Movement in the Occupied Territories
The article headed "Israeli female soldiers celebrate the death of 12,300 children" is an appalling misrepresentation
February 22, 2024
The article headed Israeli female soldiers celebrate the death of 12,300 children is an appalling misrepresentation of the image presented. All the image shows is a group of female soldiers, with one of the group taking a selfie of the group. The carnage in Gaza, and the deaths of 30,000 militants, civilians and children is horrific. The need for a ceasefire is beyond question, but cheap shots like this one have no place in a serious discussion. Does anyone who thinks about this issue really see Israel as the sole responsible party? Is Hamas absolved of...
Harold Zwier from Elsternwick, Victoria
In response to: Israeli female soldiers celebrate the death of 12,300 children
We need climate action sooner than a treaty
February 16, 2024
I can admire Julian Cribb’s optimism that an Earth Systems Treaty might still save a habitable environment, but I struggle to share it. As Cribb observes, “It is clear the world’s governments have neither the skills, the brains nor the moral integrity to work their way out of such a crisis – and remain obedient to their fossil fuel overlords.” Material self-interest carries huge social inertia in the face of the need for major change. The measured steps we rejected thirty years ago are now much bigger and steeper. We need major changes, globally implemented, urgently. Democracy,...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, VIC
In response to: Climate chaos: world overheats while Europe faces a new Ice Age
Reading and Public Schools: Parents have a role too
February 16, 2024
Originally I am from Switzerland. Recently I went on the website of the School I went to. Among instructions to the parents is one particular item: Reading is also expected to be done at home. The parents must make time and read with their child/children to reinforce what they had learnt in school. The school system is pressuring the parents. If we would do that here in Australia our kids would be better in reading also. Schools could ask retired people who have a good education background to come to school and to voluntary reading with kids....
Therese Saladin-Davies from NSW
In response to: Teacher bashing: Grattan joins the chorus
HAMAS has the blood of Palestinians and Israelis on its hands
February 16, 2024
HAMAS prepared for October 7th 2023 very carefully. They prepared a network of tunnels throughout Gaza and perhaps beyond. Some of those tunnels were connected to hospitals and other civilian infrastructure. They stockpiled weapons and continued firing missiles into Israel. HAMAS must have known full well that the slaughter of 1400 Israeli citizens and the taking of 220 hostages would result in severe military action against them. They could have fled to neighbouring countries and spared the people of Gaza the pain, destruction and death that was bound to come, but they chose to fight in the hope that...
Alan CLARKE from BEACON HILL
In response to: Silencing Francesca Albanese
How did we get so deeply in to the Zionist thrall?
February 16, 2024
Margaret Reynolds concise article clearly outlines our politician's inability to rise above the tribalism of party politics, but they also seem frozen in the headlights of a force more powerful than human decency. We need to know why. Social media responses to Albanese, Wong and Marles' intransigence over the Palestinian genocide have been vitriolic (when Meta allows). The comments have been scathing about Labor's callous indifference to the animalistic excesses of Netanyahu and his military force. We see a Labor Government and the likes of Dreyfus and Wong struck dumb when witnessing the obvious lies, obfuscation and determined...
Glenda Jones from Carlton
In response to: The Australian Parliament fails to uphold international law preventing genocide
Cost of killing Gazan Palestinians
February 16, 2024
The two recent arms sales to Israel based on Presidential not Congressional authority, knowing that Israel was razing large parts of Gaza, amounted to USD 263.5 million. So with nearly 28000 Palestinians killed, that is just on $9000 per life lost. Leaving aside for a minute dead adult Palestinians of childbearing age, the 11500 Palestinian children killed means that maybe 34000 children will never be born to them. It is a totally disproportionate action by Israel, even though it was severely provoked, and an action that Joe Biden seems only now to be making feeble attempts to ameliorate, given US...
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: Deflect, distort, deny
The beginning of a climate change solution
February 16, 2024
Obviously Jonathan Page is furious with fossil fuel leaders who still continue pushing their product, given that lots of millions of human deaths will have resulted from FFC activity. He outlines three possible actions in Australia: charge them based on our existing law against harming society; charging Fossil Fuel Companies; or charging FFC executives. Interestingly, six years ago far-sighted climate scientist Joelle Gergis referred in her book to climate change as an intergenerational crime against humanity (Sunburnt Country, 2018, p. 226). My own family's life has also been harmed in that son Lachlan GP lost everything- patients, friends,...
Barbara J Fraser Phd from Burwood, Vic
In response to: Judgment Day: Final retribution for the ecocidal psychopaths
US Military aggression
February 16, 2024
So glad you didn't forget the US war on Grenada. Such a magnificent win against a truly formidable foe. Indeed it is their only win since WWII. Last result, a loss to some theological students in Afghanistan.
John Queripel from Newcastle
In response to: Genocidal Wars dominate US history
Tradies and weekends are safe
February 16, 2024
Credit to the Labor government for moving forward with fuel-efficiency standards. The Coalition considered it but squibbed after pressure from the car industry. As John Quiggin concludes, “The best time to introduce the policy was ten or more years ago. But the second-best time is now.” As Quiggin notes, a key aspect of the policy is that the national emissions limit does “not apply to individual cars”, but rather applies to the mix of vehicles sold. This means that the both the current and low-emissions versions of Australia’s most popular car, the petrol/diesel Ford Ranger ute, can still...
Ray Peck from Hawthorn
In response to: Labor’s fuel-efficiency standards may settle the ute dispute – but there are still hazards
The American Disease
February 14, 2024
In 'What's Ruining America?' columnist David Brooks is reported as blaming the country's sickness and internal division on chicken littles spreading a national contagion of pessimism. He could hardly be more off-beam. What is ruining America is the age-old condition known as imperial over-reach. A state where a country's overinflated idea of itself becomes increasingly detached from reality, leading many to doubt and even despair. America was founded upon the inalienable right of one human to pillage and enslave another, concreted in by a toxic admixture of European mercantilism and religious fundamentalism: the faith that god rewards the most...
Julian Cribb from Canberra, ACT
In response to: What’s ruining America?
We must reclaim the common good
February 9, 2024
Tony Ward reports how social trust has deteriorated over the past 30 years in developed countries, and how growing inequality has been a key factor in this decline. A key contributor to that growing inequality has been the enthusiastic adoption by the political right of the neoliberal dogma. As Jon Tons recently observed (https://publish.pearlsandirritations.com/the-social-contract-and-the-voice/) this dogma decrees “that it is both morally wrong and technically unnecessary for governments to intervene to remediate inequalities”. This philosophy encourages individualism at the expense of community. The key to social trust is, firstly, a faith in one’s fellows, and secondly an appreciation of the...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills
In response to: Damaging social cohesion
Engaging with climate solution
February 9, 2024
David Spratt and Ian Dunlop write with authority on the devastating global heating trajectory. The science regarding the future before us if we don’t change course is clear. With due respect to the clever and dedicated scientists, many believe that global heating has now become a communications problem. Solutions are possible, but overwhelmingly humanity, particularly leaders, chooses to place our collective heads in the sand. Doomsday predictions do not entice us to action. I therefore encourage Pearls and Irritations to follow up the excellent “towards and unliveable planet” series with articles conveying the solutions. Action is the antidote to...
Amy Hiller from Kew
In response to: Towards an unliveable planet: Climate’s 2023 annus horribilis
Israel in contempt of ICJ orders
February 9, 2024
In contested proceedings, a Court may make interim orders before the final determination to prevent irreparable harm. Those orders have full force and effect whatever the ultimate decision. Breach of those orders is contempt of court. The ICJ made a number of interim orders one of which was that Israel must take immediate and effective steps to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. In response, Israel, almost immediately, called for the Defunding of the UNRWA relying on its allegations against the 12 UNRWA employees. Many western nations including the United States and Australia have...
John Curr from Brisbane
In response to: Are Australian government ministers complicit in genocide?
Rusted-on Labor voters thought they'd elected one.
February 9, 2024
Peter Henning's article is 'spot on'. . . summarising succinctly the ugly exposure of our Government's lack of moral compass. Fears of climate change and a growing awareness of the shabby nature of Scott Morrison et al's business acumen (or lack thereof) meant this Government was partially elected to address these concerns. Imagine the shock when : * Tanya Plibersek not only failed to close existing coal mines but approved the opening of new ones. * Anthony Albanese not only allowed Dutton/Morrison's Aukus deal to continue, but encouraged Richard Marles' backslapping and lockstepping with the American...
Glenda Jones from Carlton, Victoria
In response to: Stripped bare: The Albanese government’s support for genocide
Superb expose of US instigation of Pakistan coup
February 9, 2024
Jeffrey Sachs here excels in quietly recounting the dreadful history of officially denied but known to everybody US interference in Pakistan politics. Bluntly the US govt told the popular leader Imran Khan “We don’t allow your country to be neutral”. The US- compliant army and police then removed him and worse has followed since with his 10 year jail sentence for espionage, for revealing the evidence of US interference as the cause of his removal. What a dreadful warning to Australia. If we are ever to escape the deadly US embrace it will have to be by...
Tony Kevin from Canberra ACT
In response to: The US toppling of Imran Khan
Pursuing the real criminals
February 9, 2024
Thanks to Jack Waterford for writing and to John Menadue for publishing these quotations from the ACT Court of Appeal: “The decision to commence a criminal prosecution is an opaque process at the best of times”. “The open court principle stands as a bulwark against the possibility of political prosecutions by allowing public scrutiny and assessment of the actions of the respondent and the Attorney-General by reference to the evidence adduced in a criminal trial.” It took the ill-conceived persecution of Bernard Collaery to flush out this long-overdue show of spine from the justice arm of government....
Glen Davis from NSW
In response to: Oppressive secrecy needs more dashes of cold water yet
Ceasefire essential, but both side must commit to end hostilities
February 5, 2024
I think it's appropriate that the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. But a ceasefire without the release of hostages or a plan for ultimately resolving the Israel Palestine conflict is an empty plea. The killing of some 26,000 Palestinians in Gaza is an immense tragedy as is the dire situation of the population suffering unimaginable deprivation, as is the devastation of infrastructure in Gaza. But the context in which this is occurring is an attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023 that killed 1,139 Israelis including 260 young people at a...
Harold Zwier from Elsternwick, Victoria
In response to: Open letter to Prime Minister Albanese on the urgent situation in Gaza and the freeze of UNRWA funds
ICJ orders and suspending UNRWA
February 2, 2024
The Albanese government's utter failure to condemn Israel for its blatant breaches of all the ICJ orders, at the same time as suspending payments to UNRWA, thereby pushing 2 million refugees to the edge of starvation, seems like the grossest hypocrisy. Do they think we are so stupid we won't see it? No, I don't think they believe that. There has to be another motive. When does it stop being hypocrisy and start being intentional wrongdoing? What possible motivation is there for our so-called leaders to act in such a deliberately evil manner?
Niall McLaren from Pullenvale, via Brisbane, Qld
In response to: Stripped bare: The Albanese government’s support for genocide
A dubious line up of speakers resist renewables
January 30, 2024
Not since the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London last year has there been such a dubious line up of speakers as those for the forthcoming National Rally Against Reckless Renewables in Canberra. Speaking in London, Tony Abbott said “The climate cult will inevitably be discredited, I just hope we don’t have to endure an energy catastrophe before that happens.” In Canberra, Barnaby Joyce, Malcolm Roberts, and Matt Canavan will enlighten participants. These lads also have form when it comes to climate change and as Sophie Vorrath points out, do not even believe in setting emissions targets....
Ray Peck from Hawthorn
In response to: As earth records hottest year, Coalition digs in against climate action and renewables
ICJ interim decision on genocide in Gaza
January 30, 2024
Good on Hilary Charlesworth for being one of the 15, and for one court order, 16, judges who came down on the side of humanity on Friday 26th January.
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: As Australia joins the US war on Yemen, Labor is a house divided
Humanity's Extinction Beckons
January 30, 2024
Our changing climate poses an existential threat to much of life on earth, and yet it remains the elephant in the room. Perhaps this is because this growing threat arises from gradual, albeit accelerating, rates of change. Wars, and political battles, present more immediate threats and, because they have been happening for so long, seem more manageable. David Spratt and Ian Dunlop lay out once again the enormous environmental challenges we are facing. The forecasts that they report are daunting; climate scientists are seeing existential risks appearing earlier than they had expected. The overall temperature rises we face within...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, VIC 3127
In response to: Towards an unliveable planet: Climate’s 2023 annus horribilis
An Idea for Australia Day: Learning from Bali
January 30, 2024
A friend of mine once suggested the solution to arguments about Australia day was to keep it on 26 January but adopt the Balinese new year way of celebrating. On the afternoon before Nyepi young people from every community (banjar) parade ogoh ogoh, ghastly ugly images that now reflect some political or social point. Then before dawn, power is turned off, phone services only avaiable for emergencies, and nobody is allowed on the streets. All is silent. The people of Bali welcome their new year in silence and reflection. My friend suggested this would be appropriate for Australia,...
Owen Podger from Melolo, East Sumba, Indonesia
In response to: The case for Australia Day
The Consequences of Western Liberal Failure
January 30, 2024
Western Liberals seem incapable of learning from the generational repercussions created by ignoring past genocides. Without doubt the IDF can raze every building and kill or maim Gaza's surviving population but at what cost to Israel and its role as one of the world's democracies? It can be argued that Germany is still atoning for its genocidal actions under Nazi rule. Scarcely a week passes when the Bosnian and Rwandan genocides do not reverberate. Russia's Chechnyan genocide, the erasure of Grozny and the Western failure to act provided the Ukranian template which has ensured international opprobium for its government...
Michael Buky from NW Tasmania
In response to: Gaza is exposing Western Liberals for the frauds they are
An Australian Republic should include establishment of a Bill of Rights
January 30, 2024
In response to the article I think two important issues have been overlooked. Firstly an Australian republic should be based on a new constitution. The current one is not totally fit for purpose - as demonstrated by the recent voice referendum. It was written at a time when Aboriginal people were still considered to be non Christian and sub human, hence their ongoing enslavement. Secondly, in my view, an Australian Republic should include establishment of a Bill of Rights to apply to all citizens.
Stephen Webber from Nundah Qld 4012
In response to: Does the Australian Public Want a Republic
Ralph Evans: "China leads on renewable energy"
January 30, 2024
China Pledged to ‘Strictly Control’ Coal. The Opposite Happened. In April 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to “strictly control coal-fired power generation projects” in China. According to analysis of Global Energy Monitor data, in the two years before Xi’s pledge, the government approved 127 plants, collectively capable of producing 54 gigawatts of coal power. In the two years after, that number rose to 182 plants, with 131 gigawatts of coal power. China’s new coal power capacity has more than doubled. China opened the 1,800 kilometer Haoji Railway in 2019 — specifically to carry coal. Designed to...
Mark Eastaugh from Wilsonton
In response to: Is climate change too hard for democracy?
Authoritarian governments have even greater problems than democracies in meeting "net zero" targets
January 30, 2024
Dear Editor, Ralph Evans must have somehow missed this fact when composing his paean to authoritarian governance.... In 2022 China commissioned 50GW of coal fired power and de-commissioned 4.1 GW. And: China has the greatest number of coal-fired power stations of any country or territory in the world. As of July 2023, there were 1,142 operational coal power plants on the Chinese Mainland. This was more than four times the number of such power stations in India, which ranked second. China accounts for over 50 percent of total global coal electricity generation. Whatever the reasons...
Greg Keeley from Margaret River, WA
In response to: Is climate change too hard for democracy?
Strengthen Integrity to Save the Climate
January 30, 2024
In Australia our government faces a fossil fuel conundrum. While they may accept that carbon emissions reduction is urgent, they do so in a country whose financial viability depends to a considerable extent on fossil fuel exports funding our imports of manufactured goods. Our democracy’s integrity is significantly compromised by fossil fuel and other vested interests. Climate change cannot be tackled effectively until government integrity is restored. The government must urgently reduce the undue influences that impede healthy public debate and decision-making – eg: reforming political donations regulations to remove the disproportionate influence of major donors; reforming lobbying to...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, VIC 3127
In response to: Is climate change too hard for democracy?
Australia's options under Labor
January 30, 2024
It seems the ALP only considers a narrow range of futures for Australia, as Americans sit in our Defence Department, Americans will crew the nuclear engine rooms of our eventual AUKUS subs, and the Pentagon will dictate the Australian Navy's every move. First, Australia will be the next Ukraine (Has any Canberra politician checked Ukraine out, lately?). Or, Australia will be the next Taiwan. Or, the next, nuclear-armed Japan. Or a Pacific Israel. But we won't be getting billions a year, to be Washington's Down Under aircraft carrier. No: we will be PAYING, billion upon billion,...
Ron Chandler from Boonah
In response to: Albanese is undermining the hard work of previous Labor Governments
The Jewish lobby or the Zionist lobby? - Words matter
January 30, 2024
There are both secular and religious Jews in Australia who are horrified by the actions of the Israeli government and military, ranging from those who have only become engaged by the current conflict, those who have opposed Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank since 1967 to those who disagree entirely with the establishment of Israel in 1948. There are also vocal groups of pro-Israel Jews who put pressure on the government and media to give unconditional support to Israel and smear any support for the Palestinian people as antisemitic. The part played by a group of Jewish...
Vivien Encel from Hilton
In response to: The US and Australia: tethered to Israel’s genocide?
ABC failure to uphold journalistic principles
January 30, 2024
I totally agree with the statement 'they (ABC sic) have failed to uphold journalistic principles and defend both independence in journalism'. I have written numerous letters of complaint to ABC news and to individual ABC Directors, pointing out their total failure to comply with their own charter regarding impartiality of reporting evident in all articles and programs dealing with Russia and Putin both before and after the start of the Ukraine war. Regardless of one's view of the conflict the ABC coverage has been totally one sided and hypocritical and many times patently false. Needless to say...
Michael Apollonov from Sydney
In response to: Independence of Journalism at risk: Antoinette Lattouf should be reinstated
Never a Truer Word Spoken!
January 30, 2024
The so-called Rule Based Law is now a myth......conveniently trotted out by ignorant and clueless politicians who have no idea what they are even talking about. The actions of the Israel Lobby - and especially those lawyers said to make up Lawyers for Israel - can only be described as appalling. With the unmitigated and unrelenting slaughter of Gazans, to suggest, as the lobbyists are, that Israel is entitled to act as it is because of what Hamas did on 7 October is disgraceful - and even disgusting! Forget about the myth of the IDF being the most...
Jeffrey Loewenstein from Tulum, Mexico
In response to: Australia’s brutal “Rules-Based International Order” is on full display in Gaza
Heartfelt thanks
January 30, 2024
Dear Editors, my heartfelt thanks that you decided to post the link. It was a great tonic to listen to this conversation, about which I had not been aware. I subscribe to P&I, because when I joined the public service long ago I recall the great admiration and respect when my seniors spoke of John Menadue. P&I is important for our public discourse and more so now. The LNL program is a gem to be treasured, thank you! ZC
Zulaikha Chudori from RED HILL
In response to: The LNL program on Menadue
ABC Impartiality
January 30, 2024
The ABC newsroom 1940. Staff directive 'No journalist is permitted any bias on the matter of German Forces moving into France. Coverage must be impartial.'
John Queripel from Newcastle
In response to: Impartiality: The bigger Joke in Journalism
But this is what we do...
January 30, 2024
Have you noticed that the news is not talking about Israel's bombing of the Palestinians anymore? We are not hearing about the situation because it is unpalatable. We are only hearing about the bad people in Yemen and how they are disrupting shipping. We are in for a rough ride in 2025.
Louise O'Brien from Sydney Australia
In response to: In Gaza the west is enabling genocide
NATO, and now EU, efforts to expand into Asia
January 30, 2024
So far the attempt to open a NATO office in Tokyo has been blocked by a France which very rightly points out how the NATO charter restricts its concerns to Europe. But that has not stopped the militaristic minded NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, from insisting the ‘security’ of Asia and the Indo-Pacific also come within the orbit of NATO concern. ‘Security is no longer regional; security is global,” he said during a panel discussion at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos. And now we are supposed to believe that for the EU which is charged solely...
Gregory Clark from Japan
In response to: False flag: Asian NATO under a new guise
Australia Day
January 30, 2024
Australia Day! Much has been said about Australia Day, Invasion Day, Survival Day. Whichever way we look at it, it doesn’t stack up as a National Day of Celebration. And let us not forget what we’re celebrating on January 26th each year, the theft of land from the First Nations! I’m afraid that’s not my cup ‘o’ tea. Nor is coming up with any other day that may tickle anybody’s fancy. We CANNOT have a National Day of Celebration until we become a united nation. At present we are a divided nation! And we will remain so until...
John Bentley from Tongala
In response to: Wattle Day: A natural choice for Australia Day’s ideals of diversity and resilience
Incisive analogy
January 19, 2024
What an incisive analogy by Peter O'Keeffe! Yes, indeed, just imagine if the headline were about the British wreaking destruction and the death of 14,000 in Belfast in order to destroy the IRA. There is no comeback to that. I hope Peter submits his analogy in letters to the editors of the major daily newspapers across Australia -- and that they have the moral courage to print it.
Richard Manderson from NARRABUNDAH
In response to: Diplomacy, morality and media have failed the people of Gaza, by Peter O’Keeffe,
Sacking of ABC journalist
January 19, 2024
MSM is essentially singing with one conforming voice here, even our two public broadcasters ABC and SBS. When I write to them to indicate such I get gobbledygook back. Most journalists are cowered with good reason clearly. For a land which produced such journalist giants as Wilfred Burchett, John Pilger (RIP) and Julian Assange, it is disgraceful.
John Queripel from Newcastle
In response to: Antoinette Lattouf should be reinstated
Dreaming of a culture of humanity
January 19, 2024
Tricontinental Institute reminds us that even though we live in a time of escalating anthropogenic global heating and appalling violence in the Middle East, human strength remains (“We need to reverse the culture of decay and march on the street for a culture of humanity” 14/1). Our collective sorrows, stemming from loss of life and loss of a stable climate, have resulted in significant mass protests. Across the globe, people are standing up for their beliefs and for human rights. If enough of us publicly take a stance for peace and equity, and stand up to fossil fuel interests, maybe,...
Amy Hiller from Kew, Victoria
In response to: We need to reverse the culture of decay and march on the street for a culture of humanity
Aged Care Overboard
January 19, 2024
We should not be surprised by this back-to-the-future approach to Aged Care, though. When Minister Wells proclaimed at the National Press Club that the boomers are coming, it was so reminiscent of previous government Ministers and Prime Ministers bleating a warning about the boats are coming. I half-expected her to add stop the boomers. All that remains now is for someone to accuse older Australians of throwing their bedpans overboard, or even worse, having WMOs, weapons of mass obstruction. I wonder which Minister will have a model of a walking frame on their desk with the inscription, I stopped the...
Brian Corless from Gerringong. NSW
In response to: Proposed New Aged Care Act leaves gaps in rights.
Climate Chaos
January 19, 2024
Andrew, Thanks for your article. Unfortunately, I believe that most of what you say will come to pass, but I also believe that it may happen even quicker than most anticipate. This of course includes our pathetic governing bodies who are in the pockets of the fossil fuel lobby. The main reason why I say that our demise may occur sooner than most expect is that our dilemma: that population and resource consumption continues to increase while we endeavour to maintain our current standard of living. Going forward, in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we must...
John Bentley from Tongala
In response to: Changing weather patterns
We Must Break The Fossil Fuel Shackles Now
January 12, 2024
Julian Cribb captures the essence of humankind’s carbon emissions folly with devastating clarity. We are using money, an infinitely-creatable resource which ultimately exists only in our imaginations, to exploit our real, finite planet. As Cribb observes, we will run out of planet before we run out of money. Those industries and governments who ignore or deny the climate science may not agree, but the science and the planet are realities that remain unmoved by their wishful thinking. Last year’s final IPCC report was crystal clear: we must move away from fossil fuels, start no new fossil fuel projects. ...
Chris Young from Surrey Hills, VIC
In response to: We are exhuming the teeming Dead
Holbrook and USUKA
January 12, 2024
The siting of an Oberon class submarine in a town 400 kilometres from the sea appears to be a metaphor for current governmental thinking. Decommissioned in 1994 HMAS Otway did not appear to hinder the southward movement of North Vietnamese troops, the development of nuclear missiles by North Korea, or indeed any other developments in East Asia during its thirty years in service under the sea or sitting in dry dock. Lining up the three countries involved in current submarine planning by powerfulness, it seems the first two – the US and UK- are huge financial beneficiaries, paid...
Tony McLean from Springwood, Blue Mountains
In response to: AUKUS and an Aggressive US Imperium, its vast reach, its mind paranoid
Proposed New Aged Care Act. Shonky deal.
January 12, 2024
The proposed new Aged Care Act is somewhat like trying to flog an old bomb. The Sales spiel glosses over the truth. “It’s rebuilt by experts and rebranded by consultants. It’s practically brand new. It’s been painted, seatbelts installed, spruced it up a bit. Ok, we haven’t touched the engine, it’s a bit small, and it’s got a couple of dents we might knock out if you point them out. We removed some of the accessories especially the aircon, because you would use it too much if you were comfortable, and it’s expensive to run, but it will...
Lesley Forster from Donnybrook WA
In response to: Proposed new Aged Care Act leaves gaps in rights
The nuclear option: Peter Dutton’s bid for power
January 12, 2024
Thank you to Mark Diesendorf for his cool-headed and informative piece on why nuclear is no good for Australia. The facts speak for themselves. The political ‘debate’ about the “oppose renewables” aspect, however, needs constant attention. As we saw at COP28, the nuclear lobby was touting for business. Members of the Opposition joined with 22 countries whose main task appears to have been to “commit to mobilise investments in nuclear power, including through innovative financing mechanisms”. The World Nuclear Industry Status Report noted a 4 percent decrease in global nuclear production; it fell to 9.2 percent, its lowest...
Fiona Colin from Melbourne
In response to: Coalition, pro-nuclear lobbyists argue Australia needs nuclear energy
November 11, 1975 vs January 6 2021
January 12, 2024
The outstanding work by Jenny Hocking to unmask the Palace Letters brings into sharp focus how one attempted open partly armed revolution in the US was unsuccessful while the other revolution in Australia 45 years before, conducted largely in secret, was successful. Our revolution involved the Queen, the then Governor General, then leading judicial figures and the then Opposition Leader. Just which way the Army would have leaned if there had been a violent response we don’t know, although the recent decision about the duty of Afghanistan alleged war crimes whistleblower David McBride offers a clue. It was determined...
Geoff Taylor from Perth
In response to: The Search for the Palace Letters: a Remarkable Documentary
DVD The Search for the Palace Letters
January 12, 2024
This is an important historical record, in fact, it is a record that requires constant and immediate access for the Australian public most of whom do not know any other means of accessing this information/video. The ABC is the public's access to the historical record on the events of 1975 and has, I believe, an obligation to provide transmission at all times if such a documentary is available. On searching your accessible records I was unable to find any record of this video and so resort to a letter not only requesting access, but requesting this video be...
Kerry Heubel from Sydney
In response to: The Search for the Palace Letters
People power to the rescue
January 12, 2024
It was uplifting to start 2024 with such a good news story. That is, over the course of 2023, renewable energy supplied nearly 40% of electricity demand in Australia, nearly halfway to the government’s target of 82% by 2030. Furthermore, this was up from 35% the year before. But clearly to get to 82%, increases of more than five% per annum are needed. Interestingly, the capacity of roof top solar increased 21% from 2022 to 2023. Another type of power, people power, is driving the transition. The estimated total annual potential for rooftop solar is 245 TWh, almost...
Ray Peck from Hawthorn
In response to: Australia nears half-way mark to 82% renewables