Renewable energy the solution, not the problem
Renewable energy will resolve energy poverty, not exacerbate it. After all, energy from the sun and wind is free.
Letters to the Editor
Tour de forks will cost of course
Jessica Irvine again demonstrates why we need economists in her article "How economics can make your dinner taste better" (September 9). Thanks to award winning economic research, we now know that if you don't want to pay too much for a meal, stay away from tourist areas. Bob Eggleton Neutral Bay
Women, women everywhere but not a seat to win
I would be the first to admit that it can sometimes be a challenge being a primary caregiver and a parliamentarian. Tanya Plibersek, deputy leader of the opposition
Another political donations scandal only leaves the public short-changed
Sam Dastyari. Another NSW political operative demonstrating that we have the best politicians that money can buy.
Dastyari deed highlights need for clamp on donors
It's time to ban political donations so as to avoid any inference of fear or favour.
Heads should again roll over tax burden
Ross Gittins makes the important distinction between capital and recurrent expenditure accounts in the budget ("Super tax fairness is the key to getting the budget back on track, September 5). He points out that the nation's recurrent expenditure is close to being in balance, and that it is legitimate for the capital cost of long-lasting infrastructure to carry the burden of debt.
More scrutiny needed on likes of Dastyari
The Dastyari affair has shown the creeping risk soft power's influence poses to our country's politics and economy. ("Riding the red dragon express is an insult", September 3-4.)However, this concern shouldn't stop with China. Businesses in the country are equally guilty of using donations to buy influence. From favourable re-zonings and tax exemptions, to labour reform and market regulation, Peter Hartcher's observation that "it is a polite fiction that donors will give money to politicians without expectation of a return on investment" rung true long before the Yuhu Group got involved.
Youi's net effect
Petulant PM should check the records first
If the Turnbull government cannot manage its own MPs in order to field a team in the House of Representatives, then how will it manage the economy?
Impossible strain of caring for an Alzheimer's sufferer
The article by John Watkins on Alzheimer's disease highlights many of the problems for carers and their charges. Carers of relatives with dementia deserve our unreserved admiration.
Transport options treat commuters with contempt
The state government has jumped the shark. Having half built one rail line, it is drawing lines on maps like they are spaghetti strings.
Dastyari needed to reach into his own pockets
The revelation and subsequent admission by Senator Sam Dastyari makes it quite clear he has no moral authority to remain in the Senate.
Plebiscite prattle reveals political pandemonium
The announcement of the same-sex marriage plebiscite brought Tim Wilson to tears. Now he's pushing for it. This neatly encapsulates the mess that is Australian political leadership.
The problem for Turnbull isn't Bill
I would have expected that someone with the political experience of Vanstone would know that "lost" in the context of politics, is a relative term, like "promise" and "mandate". Perhaps she should have indicated whether or not the loss was core, or non-core.
Reality check what arrogant Baird needed
It's no wonder Mike Baird has seen his popularity slip ("Baird crashes back to Earth", August 27-28). Since he won the election he has ridden roughshod over not only the voters of NSW but his own party.
Games lose value
It is glaringly obvious that not only have the Olympic Games failed in their mission ("Games must chart a fresh path", August 21) but the obsession of elevating sporting individuals to hero status is clearly counter-productive and dishonest.
I like what you wear and your right to wear it
The French approach to banning burkinis on beaches raises a few issues. Let me deal with just one. I am offended by the sight of Tony Abbott parading in his budgy smugglers but I have no desire to infringe upon his right to look like an idiot.
Morrison picks lazy option, targets poor
I was thrilled to hear that in Scott Morrison's "economic headland" speech he will address the problem of the "taxed and taxed-nots".
Strange priorities emerge in love and war
Should two people of the same gender who love each other be legally permitted to marry?
Plebiscite a poor way to decide human liberties
If it's right to hold a plebiscite on gay marriage, why not hold plebiscites on other issues that upset people, like the niqab, circumcision, abortion or the right to die?
Triumphalism and jingoism 'cringeworthy'
Sports and playing games may not be the cake, but they are the icing.
Olympics medal tally in need of a performance review
Chloe Esposito has gone against the mantra that has prevailed in these games where administrators, coaches and commentators have built up expectations to such a level that too often we have been disappointed.
Nothing easy about a break-up
I feel for the wife in the $200 million marriage break-up ("The wife, mistress and the $200m break-up", August 14). I don't know how she can possibly manage on a mere $15,000 a month.
War toll heaviest on young
Congratulations on publishing some well reasoned letters giving a different perspective to the Vietnam conflict in general and Long Tan in particular (Letters, August 19).
Postscript
Sure, in Rio there was Usain Bolt v Justin Gatlin, but on the Letters page this week, we had Malcolm Roberts v Lucy Turnbull.
Vietnamese who died merit more attention
May I respectfully point out that the emphasis of the Long Tan anniversary should not be on the 18 Australians who lost their lives, but on the hundreds and hundreds of Vietnamese who were destroyed by the unbelievable violence.
Turnbull needs to know about Haberfield
To be fair, even on a clear day it would be difficult from Point Piper to see the dust rising from the demolitions at Haberfield.
Invisible pressures hamper our raw natural Olympic talent
Olympic finger-pointing and the lack of e-cigarette research.
Treatment of refugees amounts to torture
New Zealand Labour's David Shearer is right. Our treatment of refugees is disgraceful.
Ausgrid decision draws line in the sand
For whatever reasons Scott Morrison may have had for rejecting the Chinese bids for control of Ausgrid, ("Treasurer raises China fears in Ausgrid rebuff", August 13-14) his decision was the right one.