Coalition backbenchers see red over climate policy review", December 6).
As an octogenarian who has voted Liberal all my life I am now sick and tired of yesterday's men sitting on the backbench sniping at the government ("Unless they can keep expression of their opinions to the party room and not in the public arena, and realise there is such a thing as party solidarity, they should just get out and make way for some new blood who have the interests of the country at heart as opposed to their own self-interest.
![Illustration: Alan Moir](/web/20161209061302im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/5/7/5/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt4le5.png/1481069601065.jpg)
Don Landers Northbridge
What these backbenchers apparently overlook is that Australia is party to a treaty that requires carbon emissions to be reduced. Specifically, article 2 of that treaty (the Paris Agreement) "aims to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels".
Consistent with this treaty, what the backbenchers should be doing is expressing their concern over the ineffectiveness of the Coalition's Direct Action plan and over the possibility that Australia may be exceeding its carbon budget and acknowledging, heaven forbid, that maybe a price on carbon needs to be reintroduced.
David Nash Manly
Malcolm Turnbull obviously doesn't get it: the Australian people voted overwhelmingly to get rid of the carbon tax and the people who introduced it. You'll be next, Turnbull. Waffle won't work on this issue.
David Sayers Gwandalan
Good to see that Cory Bernardi, after three months at the United Nations at our expense, has broadened his view of the world.
Rod Hughes Epping
While Tony Abbott and a few organisations that have benefited from shanghi-ing unemployed young people into an environmental chain gang lament, little is being spoken of any positive outcomes achieved from the "green army".
Yes, trees were planted, but did they, or will they, survive? Yes, weeds were removed, but as most gardeners know, they come back if not continually addressed.
And what of the young people? How many found employment and remain employed? Missing from all the outrage at dumping the "green army" is any transparent measurement of whether it achieved anything more than a photo opportunity.
Chris Andrew Turramurra
At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, if Cory Bernardi slams any form of carbon pricing as the dumbest idea ever, it's probably good policy. Don't wobble, Prime Minister.
Christine Stewart Uranquinty
Far from being the voice of a silent majority, is the far right of the Coalition parties really anything more than a small but organised group of people who shout very loudly to try to drown out reasonable debate?
Norm Neill Darlinghurst
At long last it seems that the Coalition may have realised the benefits and efficacy of a carbon tax. Oops, so sorry, I mean an emissions intensity scheme.
John Truman St Leonards
Liberal senator Cory Bernardi is now on record as saying the prospect of the government transitioning to an emissions intensity scheme is "one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. It is not in the Australian national interest for the government to chase policies that ingratiate it with the Greens".
For Bernardi and his hard right acolytes, it seems governing Australia has more to do with demonising, kicking and belting the living daylights out of those across the political divide than about finding and implementing strategies to protect and promote the welfare of Australians.
Perhaps, this arch-conservative cabal camped beneath Canberra's grassy knoll believes that by vanquishing the heathens before they spread ungodly thoughts among the masses they are, indeed, protecting and promoting our welfare.
Andy Royal Spring Terrace
The ABC found that more than 60 per cent of the population favours putting a price on carbon emissions, the Australian Energy Council is not averse to the pricing of carbon and business representatives would like a consensus on the issue from both parties so that they can plan for the future.
An urgent response from the government is necessary because, in only four years, we have used 20 per cent of our greenhouse gas allowance to 2050. As Malcolm Turnbull once said: "I do not believe we can effectively move Australia to a lower emission economy without putting a price on carbon". It is time for action.
Peter Nash Fairlight
It's just not cricket until top jobs are on the line
It's good to see that the Cricket Australia board is at last reviewing the way the national team is run ("Test woes on agenda at board meeting", December 6), but not so good that the positions of chief executive and high performance manager "are not on the line". Why not? Do they not bear overall responsibility for recent results?
The chief executive is presumably responsible for the scheduling debacles that led to Test players being deprived of much needed relevant practice before the recent Test series against South Africa.
And what exactly does the high performance manager do? A former "rugger bugger" with no cricketing background, he has been parachuted into a role over the top of many senior cricketing professionals. So what is he actually accountable for, and what would it take for him, rather than those below him in the hierarchy, to get the sack?
We never needed a high performance manager before and we certainly don't need one now. Nor do we need a selection panel. All it does is lumber the team coach and captain with teams they quite possibly don't want.
In most other national sports the manager/coach chooses the team, and this is as it should be. The chief executive should simply provide him with the coaching and administrative support he wants and then leave him to get on with his job. Simple, really.
Chris Danckwerts Turramurra
Taiwan is no paragon of virtue
In all the commentary about the incoming Trump administration's relations with Taiwan, no mention is made of how the original ethnic inhabitants of what was known for centuries as Formosa were brutally dispossessed of their land, marginalised and relegated to servitude by the invading remnants of Chiang Kai-shek's forces fleeing the Chinese mainland ("We must chart our own course on Taiwan", December 6). Far from being the shining example of democracy that Trump and many like-minded ignorers of historical facts claim it is, Taiwan is little more than an illegal occupying entity.
William Franken Rose Bay
Yet another "end of the world as we know it" article on Trump. I recall Obama ruffled feathers shortly after gaining office by reaching out to the Muslim community in the Middle East. No country should dictate who a nation can be friendly with. China may need to be reminded of that. Blackmail is not good foreign policy.
Diane Davie Rose Bay
Not just about teachers
I am pleased to see Professor Eastman looking at other possible causes, such as iodine deficiency, as a reason for the consistent slide in educational performance ("A simple solution to sliding education results", December 6).
While we can never overlook the need for well-targeted funding for schools, it is possible our current cohort of students may not have the cognitive intelligence of previous generations. Other factors may be foetal alcohol syndrome and an increase in the use of recreational drugs.
We know the government always loves to bash the "teacher quality" can, but there appears to be more issues with the students and their physical and cognitive state today, when commencing school.
Mark Berg Caringbah South
Key characteristics
I hardly think it is right to skim over the huge increase in the disparity of equality during the Key reign ("The real Turnbull exists - only he's across the ditch", December 6). Nor should it be overlooked that New Zealand has no Senate, and the National party no "hard right" faction.Maybe those extolling Key's virtues should look at the decline in the education system which now sees 25 per cent of students entering high school without the necessary attainment.Claims of his economic management are overstated, and the costs overlooked in Australian analysis.
Annette Kent Hunter Hill
Three cheers for Joyce
After a daily serve by the Herald of all the problems of Sydney living, and the woes of people living there, it could be expected that a positive story on a government decision to ease the burden would be applauded.But no. Barnaby Joyce announces the move to Armidale of some public servants and is howled down (Letters, December 5). Little else is being done to get people out of Sydney. Joyce is a hero. Three cheers for him, a man with vision.
David Wilcox Blackalls Park
Listening differently
People at the ABC and those in government pulling the strings: change is good but RN listeners are and will always be Mr and Mrs 2 to 4 per cent ("'If they don't like it leave':tensions at ABC escalate", December 6). We listen to be stimulated by different ideas and exposed to different life experiences and that includes different types of music.
We want variety and quality, delivered with humour and, note to all, without political agenda. And we don't like ads. The powers that be have already turned 702 into a populist, chat-fest commercial mimic. Do it to RN and we'll all be gone. And anyway, don't young people like music?
Philip Begbie Potts Point
Sledging a cancer
Nina Britton was on the receiving end of sledging ("Teen girls get harsh lesson in sexism", December 6). We seem to think it's OK in cricket played by men, so why isn't it OK anywhere and everywhere?
The reality is that the sledger believes he obtains a psychological advantage by demeaning another person.
We need to remove this cancer from our society by treating others the way we'd like to be treated.
David Gordon Emu Plains
What gays really want
What the gay community really wants is "no discussion", judging by the invective hurled by their supporters at anyone who has misgivings regarding gay marriage and it's effects on society ("What the gay community really wants: an equal place in society", December 6).
Roger Cedergreen South Hurstville
Income discrepancies
Has anyone told the homeless in Belmore Park that their income as Sydneysiders is actually $80,000 a year ("Sydney's surging $32,000 wealth gap", December 6)? Or the refugees whose visas don't allow them to work? Or child care workers whose hourly rate is about $21? Some in Sydney are earning an obscenely discrepant amount.
Angela Michaelis Balmain
Mining ambitions
When I grow up, I want to be a coal mine because then the government will give me $1billion, which it won't if I'm old, sick, disabled, unemployed, homeless or a carer ("Adani says it doesn't need $1b railway loan", December 6).
Glenn Meeves Penrith
Key points to a winner
John Key quits with nothing left in the tank but what can be done with a Prime Minister running on hot air ("Key all class even in final big decision", December 6)?
Jim Gentles Coogee
If only Turnbull could follow the Key to success.
Ramon Jones Carcoar
The difference between John Key and Malcolm Turnbull is that John Key didn't embrace the Groucho Marx maxim: "Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others."
Barry Welch Bridgeman Downs
Surely if New Zealand has lost its Key it has a spare one under the mat.
Peter Miniutti Ashbury
No David Brender (Letters Dec 6), it wasn't the ODI cricket loss to Australia that brought about the resignation of the New Zealand Prime Minister. It must have been the recent loss of the All Blacks to Ireland.
Alan Marel North Curl Curl
Trump's Nest Wing
Donald Trump is quite the fan of Twitter. As President, he'll be tweeting from his office in The Nest Wing.
Joan Kunze Penrith
No power, no turbine
It is 10am on Tuesday here in Smiths Lake and we have been without electricity for more than 17 hours since a storm at 5pm on Monday. And not a wind turbine in sight.
Graeme Macey Smiths Lake