It鈥檚 no wonder the Coalition is in the political wilderness (鈥淟abor鈥檚 green agenda 鈥榯rashing the economy,鈥 rages Tehan鈥, June 28). In a show of truly Duttonesque negativity, shadow energy spokesperson Dan Tehan has vehemently attacked the government鈥檚 renewable energy roll-out. He complains of the cost of upgrades to the electricity grid, an area sadly neglected by his own government during the Morrison years. On top of that, Tehan conveniently ignores the cost of climate disasters to our communities. Meanwhile, opposition leader Sussan Ley has referred to 鈥渙ur responsibility in the face of climate change鈥 and has clearly stated that 鈥渨e must have a stable, reliable energy grid so that households can have affordable electricity鈥. Which is it to be 鈥 more delays from the Coalition or a sensible proposal to reduce emissions? Get with the plan, Dan! Anne O鈥橦ara, Wanniassa (ACT)
Dan Tehan, like many Coalition members, trots out spurious arguments against necessary renewables pursuit. 鈥淭housands of kilometres of transmission lines鈥 having an impact on farmland? Really? How about the effect of greater floods, fires and droughts on farmland due to rapidly increasing climate change? Jill Stephenson, Woolwich
I used to have some time for Dan Tehan, but he is testing me at the moment. Is he still to work out that the economy is subsidiary of the environment, not the reverse? Has he not read the widely accepted Stern Review, which comes to the simple conclusion that 鈥渢he benefits of strong and early action [on climate change] far outweigh the economic costs of not acting鈥. If you can鈥檛 lead on this, Dan, maybe it鈥檚 time to get out of the way. Hugh Barrett, Sanctuary Point
Dan Tehan, it鈥檚 sad to see nothing yet has changed in the opposition鈥檚 hyperbolic approach to opposing. You say the government is 鈥渉appy to trash the economy鈥. Come on, Dan, you want us to believe that the government is knowingly and willingly, even intentionally, 鈥渢rashing鈥 the economy? If you want voters to take you seriously, drop the hyperbole and make discussions about facts and policies. The over-the-top rhetoric may keep your 鈥渂ase鈥 and corporate influence-buyers happy, but it won鈥檛 get you into government. The economy hasn鈥檛 been 鈥渢rashed鈥, inflation is back into the range where the Reserve Bank considers cutting interest rates and unemployment is near 50-year lows. Millions of households are directly experiencing the lower cost of solar electricity from their own roofs and understand that large scale solar and wind farms provide even cheaper power. Cut the hyperbole, deal with facts and potentially swinging voters might pay attention. Steven Lee, Faulconbridge
Is anyone else tired of the Coalition鈥檚 鈥渃an鈥檛 do鈥 mindset when it comes to renewable energy? Awarding the shadow energy and emissions portfolio to Dan Tehan, who has consistently voted against climate action and net zero, shows they mean not to change. When Tehan says 鈥渨e have to do our part when it comes to dealing with climate change鈥, it sounds good but fools no one. And giving himself 鈥18 months and two years鈥 to define that part shows he has no perception of climate urgency. Clearly, even after the worst drought on record in his Wannon electorate, he still doesn鈥檛 get it. What will it take? Ray Peck, Hawthorn (Vic)
Quotas or wilderness