The renewables push is being driven by necessity

Kevin Rudd’s push for increasing our usage of renewables in the context of climate change, the Iran war and fuel shortages reminds us that necessity is not only the mother of invention but also the driving force to capitalise fully on inventions that already exist (“Rudd hopes ‘terror’ fuels green energy”, April 28). However, we humans are slow on the uptake. German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer claimed that any important truth before acceptance is first ridiculed, then violently opposed and finally accepted as self-evident. Hopefully, most Australians are now at the third stage regarding climate change and the need to work on efficiency to enable a move to maximise the use of renewables and minimise hydrocarbon dependency. The issue now is how to make this transition equitable. Paul Casey, Callala Bay

The “oil crisis” of the 1970s triggered a paradigm shift towards more energy-efficient vehicles. The same must occur in the current crisis. The Albanese government should revisit its “watered down” New Vehicle Efficiency Standards and restore its original proposal while considering stronger settings. Labor should also unwind tax incentives for gas-guzzlers, which have driven an explosion in purchases away from standard vehicles. Additionally, it is irrational to consider changing the fringe benefits tax that would disincentivise EV uptake, while continuing to encourage the purchase of inefficient gas-guzzlers. Surely, the Coalition will be supportive. It would be irrational to be obstructionist. Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic)

Just as political arch-foes Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam eventually became friendly allies, so former rivals Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull are on the same page when it comes to hailing the uptake of renewable energy. That’s not just in Australia, where enthusiasm for rooftop solar is the highest in the world, but globally. The tide has well and truly turned, but challenges remain, as the author Thom Woodroofe notes. Everyone gains from clean air and a healthy atmosphere, but there’s work to be done to ensure that the economic benefits are fairly shared across the whole community. Too bad that the government is shying away from a levy on gas exports that would contribute mightily to reducing inequality and disadvantage across the nation. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic)

This government forced many households into renewables by curtailing fossil fuel production methods, thus making grid electricity expensive. A fuel shortage causing higher prices is just the excuse to now push us away from all fossil fuels in vehicles, even though EVs still aren’t fully fit for every purpose, and probably never will be. Distance is the drag. I think the crowning glory of failure is when a diesel generator in the outback is needed to provide power for EVs. Says it all, really. David Sayers, Gwandalan

Due process for families

I find it hard to believe that Penny Wong is on board with the federal government’s attitude towards the so-called ISIS women when they return to Australia (“Wong warns ISIS families they could be arrested on arrival”, April 28). She has always shown an intelligent and enlightened attitude in matters of foreign affairs, and I’m sure she will use her influence to convince the government to adopt a fair investigation into the circumstances surrounding these people going to Syria. If they are found guilty of malice towards Australia, let them pay the penalty, but wait until we see the evidence. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill

The latest attempt for this group to return to Australia represents yet another bid to challenge the authority of the Commonwealth government to decide who enters and who doesn’t. If somehow they re-enter, the group plus everybody else involved (providers of airfares, financial support, accommodation, transport etc) should be sent to a detailed de-radicalisation program. When the program is finished, anyone who failed should be deported. Antony Osman, Turramurra

Penny Wong says the full force of the law is to be applied to the Australians when they return from Syria. That’ll be a very busy day in the children’s court. Stuart Littlemore, Potts Point

Hilton shooter set-up?

Your correspondent’s household is not alone in considering whether the event at the Washington Hilton may have been stage-managed (Letters, April 28). President Trump is so fixated with the reconstruction of the White House ballroom, which he made special mention of in his press conference, and being challenged by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, you have to wonder. Peng Ee, Castle Cove

The attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is believed by some to be a put-up job to improve President Trump’s approval rating: shots were fired, but nobody was killed or even injured; the press was on hand to provide great coverage; the shooter was able to get accommodation at the hotel where this event was held. Ian Falconer, Turramurra

Even with three failed attempts to assassinate him, Donald Trump lags somewhat behind Fidel Castro of Cuba. The US tried and failed over 600 times to kill Castro, causing him to remark that if surviving assassination attempts were an Olympic event, he would win the gold medal. John Elder, Annerley (Qld)

If the idea of Make America Duck Again takes off, will the president be known as Donald Duck? Bill Gillis, Hallidays Point

Disgraceful disrespect

Much of the debate (Letters, April 28) so far has been whether the Welcome to Country is appropriate for Anzac Day ceremonies. It occurred to me over the weekend that the two most poignant and emotive elements of Anzac Day are the reading of The Ode and the playing of the Last Post. Both were written by British artists as part of British military tradition that we, as a nation, have adopted. This is the same Britain that was largely responsible for the extermination of Indigenous people from 1770 and beyond, and the same British that ordered Australian and New Zealand diggers to land on the beach at Gallipoli, with barely a British soldier to behold. So, to boo Welcome to Country, a quintessentially and uniquely Australian tradition, on arguably Australia’s most sacred day, is beyond disgraceful. Tony Bennett, Broke

After a magnificent Anzac Day march in Tamworth that honoured service and sacrifice, the crowd rolled in for a game of two-up – and what a scene it was. Young and old, men and women, country boys and girls alongside townies, locals shoulder to shoulder with visitors from Scotland, Norway, Italy, South Africa and across Asia. Different backgrounds, different stories, but for one afternoon, everyone was part of the same spirit. That is the Anzac spirit too. Not only remembrance but camaraderie, resilience and community. At the Longyard Hotel, it was alive and well. And I won $120. Denise McHugh, Tamworth

What about adding some military searchlights to the Anzac Day ceremony that can shine into the night sky and highlight the war memorial … until they are needed to put the spotlight on areas in the crowd where the booing is heard. Give these gooses some recognition that they won’t welcome. Paul McShane, Burradoo

Dogs have a heartwarming role

The story of Elbie the Jack Russell was a heart-warmer (“Lost dog saved from 13th-floor Dee Why ledge”, April 28). We read the terrified pooch was plucked from the window ledge of a 13th floor Dee Why apartment building by fire and rescue teams who worked for hours to retrieve her. It was a much-needed reminder of the best of human nature and the special place held by dogs in our hearts, our history and our homes. What a shame though that this same compassion is bafflingly absent when it comes to Elbie’s long-legged canine mates – the racing greyhounds killed and injured in that “industry” in NSW every year, purely for gambling “entertainment”. No less an authority than the former Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Vet labelled it a “morass of suffering and exploitation”. The resulting, scathing Drake Report upheld many of the allegations. We are indeed a weird mob, or perhaps just barking mad. Deborah Fleming, Kingston (Tas)

Each day when I open my Herald, President Trump is front and centre along with the latest on wars around the world, and then yesterday I saw the delightful and heartwarming story of Elbie, the little dog that got stuck on a ledge and was rescued after three days. This is a story of bravery and kindness among human beings. We need more of these heartwarming stories on the front page to lift our spirits in this crazy world. Trump needs to be relegated for the sanity of us all. Lynne Egan, Glenbrook

That must be pretty well at the top of the list of “How to make your owner feel guilty for going out”. Lisa Clarke, Watsons Bay

… but also have their place

The problem with dog owners (Letters, April 28) is that they think everyone loves dogs as much as they do. Dog owners in Jervis Bay would prefer every beach to be off leash so their little Fidos can run through the surf like some 1960s surf commercial. The problem is that dogs come in all sizes and degrees of savagery. Five years ago, three dogs mauled to death an elderly resident on a beach in Vincentia. That’s why I was alarmed recently when, while travelling on a Sydney suburban train, I was confronted with an unmuzzled bull terrier. If you own a dog that was bred to kill, please live in rural Australia where there is an abundance of feral pigs to hunt. And keep it off public transport. Mike Reddy, Vincentia

Land banking lunacy

This could be a script for Yes, Minister and equals the lunacy shown in the show’s “efficient hospital with no patients” episode (“Housing agencies at odds over supply”, April 28). Landcom, a government agency, cannot afford to buy multiple tracts of government land to build public and affordable housing, so the land is sold to private developers. And the majority of them are sitting on the sites, not building. You may well ask, why does a government agency need to buy government land? Because of treasury bureaucracy and a policy of “highest and best use” of the disposal of government land. If ever there was a time for a brave and sensible minister to intervene, now is the time. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle

Market margins

In Sydney, where median house prices rose from $1m in 2016 to $1.8m in 2026 (an 80 per cent increase), a fall of 1 per cent or so is insignificant (“Home economics: Unrealistic price expectations, rates hit clearances”, April 28). Looking at the trend of the past 20 years, the probability of significant losses looks low. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal

Bust the Boomer myth

Those heaping criticism on the Baby Boomer generation (Letters, April 28) have a good reason to celebrate that they were born much later. We, the Boomers, were the ones who saw our boyfriends and brothers conscripted to fight in the Vietnam War, chosen by a “lottery” based on birthdates. Many were killed, wounded or irreversibly traumatised by that war, and made to feel like criminals when they returned home. Good reason for more recent generations to vigorously oppose any attempt to reintroduce military conscription. Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt

I was raised in the Shire, born in the middle of World War II, all of us working class, housing very modest. I was lucky enough to get into one of the few places in a selective high school, and went to university on a Commonwealth Scholarship, most of my cohort left school at 15. Many couldn’t afford to stay in the Shire after the area was released from the Green Belt. I am so grateful for my education and scholarship, enabling me to work as a teacher, few had that opportunity. I also am tired of the constant complaints about my generation’s sense of entitlement. Vivienne Parsons, Thornleigh

As a Boomer, I can’t help being a little irritated when accused of “intergenerational bastardry”. Housing affordability is most often quoted as the major disadvantage. This is true, but there is a wider picture. There are huge generational lifestyle differences. Our lifestyle was much more frugal. What we considered luxuries back then have now become baseline requirements. A cultural shift has occurred and priorities have been reset. Going by lifestyle, GenX and GenY don’t really look “worse off”. They may be subjected to new societal pressures, but these have not been created by the Boomers. Rolf Jauernig, Emerald Beach

Of course there is self-interest in what Boomers do with their money. In retirement as they can enjoy holidays, move to more appropriate accommodation, get medical treatment, help their kids and grandchildren or give to favourite charities. It’s their hard-earned, not the government’s. The tax system does need major surgery for a fairer future, but this should not be at the expense of a generation that broke no laws and generally saved for their retirement. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach

Takes the cake

Is it too early to nominate for letter of the year? Alison Stewart’s tale of her husband, the leaf blower and the birthday cake (Letters, April 28) had me chortling into my coffee, and that doesn’t happen often. Trevor Sheridan, Charmhaven

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