Grab this golden EV opportunity now
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ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Thanks to The Age reporting, we know that the inevitable move to electrification is well under way. We likely all know someone with an electric car, and many will know someone with a home battery.
And now we know that the heavy industries of transport and mining are making the switch to go electric. As Nick Toscano reports in “Mining giant speeds up plan to eliminate diesel use amid global crunch” (11/4), Fortescue Metals Group has adopted renewables and electric trucks despite critics saying it is too costly and the technology is too new. And, previously, Nick O’Malley and Mike Foley reporting about long-haul electric trucks, which one truck driver described as driving “like a limo” (“Conflict sparks drive for electric trucks and cars”, 24/3).
Now is the time to invest and get on with rolling out the infrastructure so those living and working in the regions can benefit from cheap, reliable energy.
Jenny Kashyap, Bentleigh
Windfall tax on gas exports could fund chargers
Fast-tracked EV charging infrastructure should be funded by a 25 per cent windfall tax on gas exports, which Big Oil and Gas can afford.
For 2024-25, a tax of $16 billion could have been raised to fund the national rollout of chargers to drive EV sales (to reduce oil and diesel imports), create jobs in rural areas, expedite our emissions reductions, and also subsidise the economy.
Further, we should also support our local EV charger manufacturers, in particular new Super Chargers to work with the latest generation of EVs offering charging speeds of less than 10 minutes.
The prime minister must introduce a windfall tax now, otherwise we will continue pumping petrol and diesel, not electricity. This golden opportunity, to invest big time in our underfunded EV future, cannot be wasted.
We must stop multinationals plundering our sovereign wealth and paying a pittance in excise tax, whilst enjoying multi-billion-dollar tax offsets.
Tony Danino, Wheelers Hill
What’s in it for Singapore?
One would hate to cynical, but Anthony Albanese’s trip to Singapore invites such sentiments. The proposal to introduce a 25 per cent export tax on our gas exports is receiving almost universal support in Australia. After all, it would be nice if we got something for the billions of dollars worth of gas exported.
One cannot help but think that Singapore has made the fuel offer with the understanding that Australia will therefore not introduce an export tax that would end up with Singapore paying more for our gas.
Such an understanding would give Albanese an easy out to placate our ravenous gas giants. A bit of mutual back scratching at play.
Ross Hudson, Mount Martha
Fixed annual road user charge unfair to most
Your editorial in favour of a fixed annual road user charge for motorists (″The road ahead is electric. We need the infrastructure to catch up″, 11/4) in effect asks for a federal annual registration fee doubling up on the one states already charge.
This would only replicate the same fundamental inequity that applies with state rego fees: The charge is the same whether a vehicle is driven 10 kilometres to a part-time job three days a week, or 50 kilometres to an employer-provided CBD parking spot every weekday and then to a beachside holiday house on weekends.
There is scant evidence that charging for road use in the obvious and sustainable way – by the kilometre – is to the disadvantage of any group in particular – except perhaps the wealthiest 20 per cent of us, who account for a disproportionate share of road use despite living predominantly in urban areas.
Tony Morton, president, Public Transport Users Association
EV red herring
The Age’s editorial (11/4) correctly summarises the benefits of people switching to electric cars. Australians can save thousands of dollars per year in petrol and servicing costs by driving an EV. Our country is also more secure when the economy and communities can be powered by the Australian sun rather than expensive fuels shipped from overseas.
However, The Age’s position of a road user charge for EVs needs more consideration as it overlooks several important facts. The Electric Vehicle Council – Australia’s peak body for the EV industry – supports a road user charge that is universal, phased-in, and accurately prices carbon emissions from cars.
The truth is that fuel excise in Australia woefully underestimates the actual cost to the taxpayer of burning petrol. Using a conservative price on carbon and University of Melbourne research into the health costs for CO2 pollution, the actual cost of fuel excise should be roughly double the current 52c to fix the damage caused by petrol cars.
Further, The Age does not consider the significant growth in petrol hybrids (petrol cars with small, non-charging electric motors) in recent years. These cars are more fuel efficient than pure petrol cars. Requiring less petrol, drivers hand over less to the taxman and so it is petrol hybrids that are the more significant cause of falling fuel excise revenue.
In comparison, it’s a red herring to argue that EVs which make up only two per cent of our national vehicle fleet are the culprit.
EV adoption in Australia is a great thing for household budgets and our national security. But the conversation on a road user charge needs to be based on a deeper understanding of the different types of vehicles on our roads and the actual costs of burning petrol.
Aman Gaur, legal, policy and advocacy head, Electric Vehicle Council
THE FORUM
Farrer double standard
The double standard from One Nation is hard to miss (″The battle for Farrer turns nasty quickly″, 12/4). Apparently, it’s fine for it to be bankrolled by Gina Rinehart, but not for Michelle Milthorpe, an independent candidate in Farrer, to have support from grassroots group Climate200. It’s a bit rich.
Amy Hiller, Kew
Staff input not wanted
Neil Mitchell’s article on the problems within the health system, explaining how the doctors and nurses who are familiar with the problem have many of the answers, but cannot speak out, applies to most workplaces (″Our hospital system is cracking. Doctors know how to fix it but no one will listen″, 12/4).
For most of us when we go to work every day move from democracy to an authoritarian world.
Employees, and often their unions, know most of the problems, and most of the solutions, but are rarely asked for their opinion, nor are they allowed to go public.
Most managements see it as losing some control if they rely on their employees for answers, and need to be seen as knowing everything to remain in control, some even bullying employees.
The minority of good managers, welcome employee input, and speaking out, as they resolve problems far quicker and better. Also, we must stop the practice where employees are undemocratically muzzled from speaking out, Neil’s article certainly helps.
Max Ogden, Fitzroy North
Opinion piece only
Neil Mitchell’s article (12/4) is no news. Merely an opinion piece not contributing anything of a better alternative. Instead, its purpose seems to be to create further polarisation in an already fractured system. What about making a better constructive effort Neil?
Mieke Breman-Mertens, Hastings,
NDIS with compassion
Good on James Massola, his sister and family sharing their real and personal experience of a loved one requiring help via the NDIS (″My niece needs the NDIS. Yes, it must be cut – but with a scalpel, not a chainsaw″, 10/4).
When I think of the current state of affairs here and abroad, it was a welcome diversion to take a few moments to read about real struggles and the power we have as a community to help one another through the responsible use of our taxes.
I wish Mattea and the Massola family all the best for the future, hoping the article was seen by those we entrust to make wise decisions concerning the expenditure of our taxes and supporting those in our community that have real needs and compassion from their fellow citizens.
Sean Bowler, Christmas Hills
Barely liveable Melbourne
As a long-time resident of the CBD, every day I experience first-hand the behaviour of the homeless and drug affected. Last year, Lord Mayor Reece introduced Community Safety Officers, at ratepayers’ expense, after Police Minister Carbines refused his request for more police targeting this problem.
This is a state government responsibility, not a local council one. Until the law is changed to allow use of force to prevent disorderly and threatening behaviour, Melbourne’s centre will continue to be barely liveable, despite our ridiculous ranking of number 4 in the world.
Chris Lloyd, Melbourne
Tree coverage
Your correspondent (Letters, 11/4) rightly draws attention to the contrast between the Victorian government’s targets to promote canopy cover and what happens in practice.
In my suburb of East Brighton, two adjacent properties with solid brick houses were demolished. In their place, it appears that a block of apartments is being constructed taking up 80-95 per cent of the block.
Not far away, an huge complex of apartments is being built on the site of a former retirement home. Any substantial tree canopy is impossible in both cases.
To take the matter of tree canopy seriously, the government needs to mandate that no more than 60-70 per cent of a block be occupied by buildings and paving.
Rod Watson, East Brighton
Royals, pay your way
I am outraged that the Australian taxpayer is going to fund the Sussex’s security while in Australia. Why should we pay for their own security when they are on a money-making visit? This is a disgraceful decision and those who made this decision should hang their heads in shame.
Christine Hammett, Richmond
Earth is blue
We can admire the technical brilliance of the successful Artemis II moon mission and be grateful for the safe return of the astronauts, even if we have serious reservations about financial priorities considering the grave outlook for the future of planet earth and its life. The pictures of the Blue Planet taken as Artemis sped towards the moon failed to highlight that this planet is seriously ill.
A recently published study of six extreme heatwaves between 2003 and 2024 found that, considering temperature, humidity and the human body’s ability to stay cool, all were potentially deadly for older people.
One wonders what the chances are of earthly humans being able to mount a successful moon mission in say 50 years when the lives of young people will be in jeopardy. Still, the federal Labor is happy to allow Woodside’s NW Shelf Project to spew copious amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere until 2070.
It’s now 16 years since Clive Hamilton published “Requiem for a Species” but today there seems little evidence that he was being too pessimistic.
Ian Bayly, Upwey
Incivility rules
At every level, it seems, that the US has lost its moral compass. At the highest level, its president initiates a war in the Middle East, without a thought to the consequences, killing innocent people and causing negative reverberations around the world. Domestically, ICE agents have indiscriminately shot innocent citizens, an act sanctioned by the federal government. And at a local level, a New York architect last week admitted to killing eight women, and countless of its citizens die every year from gunshot wounds.
From the outside, it seems that the sanctity of life has lost its value in contemporary America.
Beverley Campbell, Castlemaine
Nuclear present danger
Most, if not all Australians would support action to prevent Iran – or any other country –from joining the nine countries that already have nuclear weapons. They would probably also want us to sign the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty. The collapse of major arms control treaties, increased risks of miscalculation, and rising geo-political temperature are a toxic mix.
Chillingly, the US president has sole authority to launch America’s nuclear weapons. He derides the UN and other multi-lateral organisations focussed on global challenges. Against that background, demands for regime change in Iran look like small beer while leaders like Trump, Netanyahu and Kim Jong Un are in power.
When and if America honestly addresses Trump’s fitness to remain president, his capacity to influence the very future of humanity should weigh heavily.
Norman Huon, Port Melbourne
Polite society
It was disturbing to read the abuse an elderly passenger received when he requested a seat from a much younger passenger (Letters, 11/4). However, I am regularly offered a seat when commuting even though I am still mobile, relatively fit (although not in showroom condition). There are numerous polite, young travellers I witness offer their seat to more senior travellers. I suggest your correspondent’s experience is the exception rather than the norm.
Mark Hulls, Sandringham
AND ANOTHER THING
Middle East
What a waste of time, money and energy is the peace meeting in Islamabad without Israel being involved. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing his attacks on Lebanon.
Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East
America can successfully send missions to the moon and back, but cannot unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
Peter Walker, Black Rock
As the infamous baseball cap proclaims, ″Trump was right about everything!″ But it was Mary Trump.
Gary Sayer, Warrnambool
AFL
With all their different coloured jumpers, the Gold Coast Suns should be renamed the Gold
Coast Fruit Tingles.
John Rawson, Mernda
For three days last week, The Age’s 18 football specialists predicted that Melbourne would beat Essendon, but your staffer compiled that as Essendon 18, Melbourne 0. Did he/she know more than your experts?
John Pinniger, Fairfield
Furthermore
The awful state of Albert Park, more than a month after the grand prix, is both depressing and enraging. This massive vandalism of a public park for the sole
benefit of a private company is impossible to justify.
Paula O’Brien, St Kilda
Please, let’s not be fuelish about the lack of the stuff!
Greg Bardin, Altona North
A picture tells 1000 words. Three of The Age’s front-page photos (12/4) under the heading ″Inside″ are in colour. The fourth, a photo of Ben Roberts-Smith, is unflattering and in black and white.
Jim McLeod, Sale
Finally
Re the Princes Freeway versus Princes’ Freeway and other road names with or without apostrophes: We have a city theatre referred to and signed as the Princess Theatre. But, if you look at its facade, the original dimensional lettering title is Princess’ Theatre.
Gerry Lonergan, Reservoir
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