GREEN ENERGY 
Dear editor,

The Albanese Federal Government has laid out plans to build a future made in Australia, and the transition to clean and sustainable renewable energy is a big part of the plan. Unfortunately, the Crisafulli LNP State Government is not on board.

The LNP has said it will repeal the Labor Government’s legislation and halt the Forest Wind project in the Toolara, Tuan and Neerdie State Forests near Gympie. The wind farm would access the existing road infrastructure in the forest plantations and is situated well away from nearby residents; it looks like a win-win situation.

Local businesses will benefit, and there will be many jobs created, and, since Gympie is now a reasonable commute from the Sunshine Coast, many locals would also likely benefit.

The Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said the forests were ideal for wind turbines, because they had such little impact on the environment and homeowners.

“Pine plantations are key areas we should look to build projects because the local biodiversity has already been severely impacted,” he said.

“The Crisafulli government’s move to prematurely axe Forest Wind is just another indication that they’re putting ideology over the practical need to build renewable energy to get down emissions and power bills.”

Forest Wind will help combat climate change, but the LNP’s decision erodes investment confidence in renewable energy. Is that what the LNP really want?

Robyn Deane,
Nambour.
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SENATOR THORPE THOUGHTS 
Dear editor,

Visions of independent Federal Senator Lydia Thorpe, wrapped in a Palestinian scarf, standing outside Federal Parliament, making threats to “burn down Parliament House”, must be interpreted as “treason” and taken seriously. This senator vows allegiance to the Palestinian call for “Free Palestine “; a two-state solution to the Gaza war and its two million Palestinians. She tests the legitimacy of our democracy by pushing the boundaries.

She has no right to represent Australia and hold a position in our Federal Parliament, let alone be paid a $250 000 [that’s a quarter of a million dollars] annual salary. Stirring up hatred and creating division in our nation undermines our social cohesion at every opportunity. It is political theatre without substance and support, to focus attention on herself and her grievances at taxpayers’ expense.

Australia is one of the few  global frontiers for an inclusive democracy, where citizens can vote in full and free elections to maintain their freedoms under one flag and constitution.

Ms Thorpe is constantly a thorn in the political flesh, while biting the hand that feeds her. She is helping neither First Nations peoples’ causes, the Palestinians’, nor Australia’s future.

She is no asset to our democracy. Her modus operandi is to deliberately collide with the economy of power, senselessly eroding our democracy.

E. Rowe,
Marcoola.
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GREEN ENERGY COSTS 
Dear editor,

What has been the real story in relation to our transition to renewable energy and pricing increases for our energy supply?

In 2022,  Anthony Albanese and energy spokesperson Chris Bowen made some predictions on the levels of renewables emission levels and reduction in power bills.

These predictions to the community at the election were based on submissions to an analytical firm by the ALP. These predictions had power bills reducing by $275, renewables of 82% by 2025 and emission reductions of 43% on 2005 levels by 2030.

Our updated target to the UN suggested 70% reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2035. Currently, we are on target to only reach 51% reduction by 2035.

Currently, our uptake of renewables is just over 40% in 2025, and our power bills have gone up by over $1000 per annum.

The studies of 2022 were overly optimistic and failed to account for full costings for the decommissioning of coal power plants by 2030, which is pushing up retail prices considerably.

Even with 80% renewables, Australia is going to need backup power generation. It is this critical failure to fully invest in backup supply that risks power shortages, blackouts and power spikes.

Most evidence points to a combination of optimistic modelling, communication failures, and administrative misjudgements – interpreted variously as incompetence, systematic failure or naive overselling rather than deliberate deceit. Nonetheless, the effect is real public concern and loss of trust in energy policy, execution and cost management.

Colin Caudell,
Coolum Beach.
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SALVOS – BE PREPARED 
Dear editor,

Summer is almost upon us. Across the country, we are beginning to notice the temperature getting warmer, the days getting longer, and even the Christmas decorations starting to be put up at the shops.

However, summer also brings a higher risk to our weather season in Australia, with the summer season responsible for some of the most damaging natural disasters that we see throughout the year, like extreme heat waves, bushfires, floods, cyclones, drought and more.

The Salvation Army wants to remind Aussies not to be alarmed, but to be prepared for the potential risks that this season can bring.

A few simple, practical steps can get you, your family and your home ready for whatever this season will throw at you. This could be preparing a ‘go bag’ with key personal documents, or having cash and three days of supplies spare in case a disaster affects ATM/EFTPOS machines – applying these tips will leave you in good stead as we enter this higher risk season.

And as you prepare for this summer, we also encourage you to look out for one another. Check in with your friends and neighbours to see if they are prepared or need support heading into this disaster season. Natural disasters are a major source of stress and trauma for many who experience them, but knowing that there are people checking in on you can make a huge difference.

The Salvos have a long history with natural disasters. For over 130 years, we have been there for the long haul, helping those impacted by natural disasters around the country. Right now, our Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) teams are stationed at locations across the country, ready to spring into action if a disaster strikes and provide practical support (like meals and refreshments) and emotional support to anyone impacted.

The Salvos have developed a number of resources to help you prepare for a natural disaster this year. To see these resources, or to find out more about the work of the SAES, visit salvationarmy.org.au/emergency-services

Bindy Lupis,
Salvation Army Emergency Services
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OLD VALUES  
Dear editor,

October is Queensland’s Seniors Month, embracing the valuable lessons that have stuck with children who grew up in the 1950s-60s. I’m one of these old-school kids.

Lesson one was that hard work was non-negotiable.

Helping around the house was a given. We were told money didn’t grow on trees, and pocket money was no more than that – the coins would jingle in your pocket.

Teachers were authority figures, and discipline was strict. We spent most of our spare time freely adventuring with other kids. Helicopter parenting was a rarity.

With few mothers going out to work, meals were home-cooked, and fast food was mostly fish and chips wrapped in newspaper.

Working hard in a part-time job was an opportunity to gain an education in the university of life while saving up for that special something.

In the 1950s-60s, patience wasn’t just a virtue but a way of life, whereas today, with ready access to mobile communication, there is an emphasis on instant access and gratification.

Patient frugality was a necessity, not a lifestyle choice. We could expect that our standard of living would be higher than that of our parents, and our patient hard work would enable us to buy a house and raise a family. I empathise with young people today who feel they can no longer realistically dream of these.

Societies with higher levels of mutual respect have lower crime rates and increased social cohesion. Respect wasn’t just a courtesy; it was an expectation of how we addressed our elders and represented our family in public.

Our parents taught us that each person had a role to play in the community and deserved to be treated with respect, whether it was the old man across the road, the lady behind the counter, or the dunny man.

Family was the heart of our lives, with annual holidays based around visiting Nanna and Pa or going camping with other families, often to the same place each year.
These memories could be dismissed as wistfully out of date, but they’ve stayed with us because they work and are values worth passing on to future generations, especially on Grandparents Day, celebrated on October 26.

Garry Reynolds,
Peregian Springs.
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WORKFORCE? 
Dear editor,

Will local plumbers be employed to perform colonoscopies when overseas doctors, trained health personnel and other workers choose not to migrate and work here because they are made to feel unwelcome? Just asking?

Margaret Wilkie
Peregian Beach.
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