Eraring saga prompts look at privatisation ‘benefits’

The details on the news that Eraring power station will operate for two more years made no mention of the NSW government’s agreement to pay up to $450 million over two years if it runs at a loss (“No good reason to extend Eraring era”, May 25). NSW governments of both persuasions played a part in the privatisation of Eraring. In 2010, the state’s electricity assets were partially privatised by a Labor government, and the process was completed by the Coalition in 2013. Governments are often tempted to privatise as an immediate source of funds, and sometimes claim it will open more of the economy to competition. Privatisation is promoted as a means of saving money and increasing efficiency on the assumption that the private sector can move faster at a lower cost. It would be interesting to see an evaluation of the results of NSW electricity asset privatisation. Governments sometimes struggle to balance immediate cash benefits against the effect on consumers and the long-term results. James Moore, Kogarah

While governments at both levels are fully committed to achieving carbon reduction targets, the transition to renewables simply cannot be achieved as rapidly as environmental issues demand. Sadly, the actions of parties opposed to solar and wind farms and associated storage have alienated some communities against their implementation, thus slowing the process. We can live in hope that the Eraring situation will provide additional impetus to strengthen the renewables rollout. Roger Epps, Armidale

The Eraring power station will arguably give a safety lifeline to the whole of the eastern states grid for several years while supply and delivery are under pressure from late and over-budget projects, over-optimistic planning and careless politicians. Richard Mews, Bellevue Hill

There has been much written recently about the decision by Origin Energy to shut down Eraring power station some years before its original closure date. If Origin plans to shut it down, it should be made to sell the power station back to the government as a going concern at land value, plus scrap value less the cost of cleaning up the site. The NSW government could then operate the station as it did until the previous Coalition government sold the power stations to private enterprise. This would allow the government to choose the timing that suits the state rather than big business re: the station’s future closure based on energy and environmental needs rather than corporate profit. Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona

NSW is so short of electricity that the government has to pay to keep open the Eraring power station, yet NSW also has so much excess electricity that solar-powered householders have to pay to send electricity to the grid? Perhaps the electricity industry should have less power and more light. Victor Bivell, Abbotsford

Why don’t we use some of these old coal-fired power stations as battery stations? All the wires are there. Then all the useless power my solar panels generate at lunchtime could be stored and put back into the grid at dinner time. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove

Albanese and Dutton are wallowing in mediocrity

Many would agree with Peter Hartcher’s assessment that both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are secure in their respective positions as PM and Opposition Leader (“The party cannibals turn vegan”, May 25), mainly due to neither party having “an obvious alternative leader”. At the same time, it has to be said that the performances of both Albanese and Dutton are mediocre at best, and the chances of both parties could be considerably improved if they possessed more charismatic and capable leaders. In both parties, it is inconceivable that either of the current deputies will ever rise to the top, yet the position of deputy should be for someone of talent who could logically succeed the current leader. In the case of both parties, it would seem that neither have had in place programs to attract superior candidates from outside sources and have relied upon internal pathways within the parties to create new MPs. Clearly, this outdated process does not yield potential future leaders for the parties or individuals with the ability to inspire voters. Ross Butler, Rodd Point

I am not sure if Peter Hartcher’s soothing words are meant to convince us that all is well in our world of political leadership. It may be true that after the revolving-door politics of previous prime ministers, the incumbent has little to fear from challengers. As to Peter Dutton, he too might be safe for now, but his determined and unworthy opposition to the Voice referendum was unforgivable and reflects badly not just on him but the complacency with which his fellow conservatives see their role in bringing (or not bringing) Australia into a more enlightened modern world. Along the lines of Hilaire Belloc’s, “and always keep a-hold of nurse/for fear of finding something worse”? Nola Tucker, Kiama

It seems likely that both Albanese and Dutton and their parliamentary colleagues had a good education in both English and history and learned their proverbs. Particularly relevant were: “Disunity is death”, and perhaps “A stable team is a happy team”, and particularly relevant for the leaders: “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Geoff Harding, Chatswood

I think Anthony Albanese believes he won the last election instead of understanding that the Liberals, led by Scott Morrison, lost it. Albanese’s performance since coming to power has been nothing more than ordinary, but of course when held up against Morrison’s track record he looks far better than he actually is. Victor Marshall, Meander (Tas)

Is AI on writers’ festival a-gender?

Apropos this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival, your male correspondent asked, “Why don’t blokes attend literary events in the same number as women?” (Postscript, May 25). This question is emblematic of the writing and publishing world not reflecting the zeitgeist where gender is now self-defined and fluid. This year’s SWF had gendered sessions on bromance, the Jane Austen formula for female readers, sports girls, art without men and other non-inclusive genres. I suggest next year’s SWF explore whether human authors are still needed when AI can generate content and other tailored “realities”. Hendry Wan, Rosebery

At the writers’ festival there was a session on the war against journalists in which the focus was mainly on how dangerous it has become to report in war zones – not only physical danger, but also the danger to truth and justice. While I’m uncertain about the rights and wrongs of reporting on a teenager’s crimes, or the justification for a five-year prison sentence for the revealing of war crimes, we need to be careful about the restrictions put on journalistic freedom. The wedge is thickening. I didn’t notice any funny handshakes but there was a dearth of men. Mary Billing, Allambie Heights

I just knew there was something I had wrong when penning a letter to the editor. I always forgot the secret handshake. Laurie Shears, Robertson

Address waste problem

Your correspondent (Letters, May 25) is right to say that for human well-being and preservation of our environment, we need energy efficiency and renewable energy. We also need energy conservation, which should be the first of these three pillars. In a rich country, we can live well while moderating and reducing our profligate consumption of resources, including both materials processing and energy use. Therese Weiss, Maroubra

Horses for courses

The operative word in this debate should be “feral” not “heritage” (“Aerial shoots claim thousands of feral horses”, May 25). If horses are to be enshrined as an important “heritage” consideration in Kosciuszko National Park, that must be extended to every other area of early settlement, as horses were for decades the only means of travel and transport. Horses remained essential in many agriculture endeavours. It is more important that the health of the native environment be given priority. It will struggle to deal with climate change and recovery from hoof damage at the same time. I write this as a horse lover; as wonderful as they are, there is no place for them in Kosciuszko National Park. Meg Vella, Wentworth Falls

Good to be alive

How to keep that sense of delight with life, asks Richard Glover (“The shock of the new”, May 25). He suggests it’s all about renewing our gratitude “for things that have become dulled with use”. I agree, and would go even further to suggest that adding a hearty dollop of gratitude to our daily lives can greatly assist with maintaining not just delight, but good overall mental health. I remember seeing a terrific bit of graffiti many years ago, which I try to remember when it seems the world has gone crazy: “Got nothing to be thankful for? Check your pulse!” Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

No fool like old fuel

When drivers of internal combustion engine vehicles park in bays reserved for EV charging, do they feel the same guilt as your correspondent did (“A disabled parking offender’s confession”, May 25)? Cornelius van der Weyden, Balmain

I have a “confession”. When trying to be on time for my granddaughter’s athletics carnival, I saw a space and just quickly parked and rushed off. I did not know it was a disabled spot, and am able-bodied, so I would never deny someone their space. However – fair cop – a fine came for over $600 (very severe) but I also incurred a one-point driver’s penalty. For a parking fine! Draconian? Greg Lewin, Tumbi Umbi

Hazard a gas

Fusion (Letters, May 25), as the word implies, is the joining together of two hydrogen nuclei to make one helium nucleus, which is infinitesimally lighter, the “lost” mass being released as energy (E=m times c squared). The only physical by-product of fusion is helium. Tony Manning, Breakfast Point

Last on our block

The Scandinavians are printing houses with a 3D printer loaded with concrete (“Affordable housing projects for essential workers pick up speed”, May 25). Much quicker, much cheaper. Similar excellent outcomes are being achieved overseas via modular factory construction. What are we waiting for? Mike Bush, Port Macquarie

Stay smart, Aunty

I doubt if David Marr will be a cause of the ABC struggling to attract younger audiences (Letters, May 25). On a not unrelated note, the ABC would do better by playing to, and retaining, its base intelligent and informed audience (young or otherwise) rather than trying to attract another with constant chatter and endless cringeworthy promotions. Alynn Pratt, Grenfell

Aged care staff gold

I’ve moved into an aged care facility, where the residents range from delightful to somewhat challenging, and I can assure you that the staff deserve a higher pay rate – much, much more, if only for putting up with me. Joan Brown, Orange

Self-service blues

Dear Coles, wouldn’t it be easier to just keep your checkout staff (“Coles staff told to ‘assist’ shoppers in scans”, May 25)? Patrick McMahon, Paddington

The best way for staff to assist shoppers is to replace the self-checkout sections with more checkout staff and lines. Stephen Healion, Wang Wauk

Coles labels its self-serve checkouts “assisted” yet requires me to do all the work. KMart locates its staffed checkouts mid-store and then expects me to present the receipt at the exit. Cherylle Stone, Soldiers Point

A nuclear conundrum

Peter Dutton’s plan for building nuclear power plants (Letters, May 25) doesn’t include the problem of what to do with the nuclear waste. Corin Fairburn Bass, Turramurra

Power to frozen peas

My frozen peas (“UK’s best hope: a PM with the charisma of frozen peas”, May 25) have a lot of frozen charisma. It’s hard to get started, but a good hit on the kitchen bench and they release surprisingly well. Dorice Jenkins, Balmain

When you get bruised, you open the fridge and grab the bag of frozen peas; the British will learn the lesson. Alberto Bizcarra, Rozelle

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