One would hate to be cynical but Anthony Albanese’s trip to Singapore invites such sentiments (“PM hails ‘win-win’ deal with Singapore”, April 11). 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 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 (Vic)
Like Donald Trump, Anthony Albanese loves to talk the talk. While the PM has undertaken that Australia will keep supplying Singapore with LNG, Lawrence Wong, the Singaporean PM, has undertaken that Singapore “will keep these flows [that is, flows of refined petroleum products] going – as long as upstream supplies continue”. Big deal! The Herald was right in the headline to use inverted commas on the description of the deal, but they should have been around only one of the two win words. Ross Drynan, Lindfield
Imagine, if you can, Pauline Hanson as prime minister of Australia, who in her maiden speech to federal parliament complained about “Asians swamping our country”, negotiating with Singapore, Malaysia or Japan to secure supplies of fuel into our country. Bill Haydon, Avoca Beach
Roll out renewables
The government is right to view the current energy crisis as proof we need to step up the rollout of renewables rather than slow it down (“A race against time for Albanese”, April 11). Australia’s supply of commercially recoverable oil is almost gone, so imports will remain our only option if we continue to rely on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. EVs, by contrast, can run with power produced by the sun and wind and, for many people, can be charged at home rather than at a service station. The fact is, we are never going to run out of renewable energy. It is not just cheap, clean and abundant, it is “homegrown” and will replace our dependence on imports. Ken Enderby, Concord
Having heard nothing but renewables from Minister Bowen and PM Albanese for years, can anyone else see the funny side of Albo going to Singapore with an empty jerry can in hand to save us? David Sayers, Gwandalan
American waste land
I have just returned from a trip to the USA, mostly staying in motels that were three or four stars, most of which provided breakfast. The most appalling feature, discounting the super-high sugar content of most of the food provided, was the enormous amount of garbage produced by the process of providing a humble breakfast. Cereal, toast and coffee served in polystyrene bowls, plates and cups, plastic cutlery and plastic juice cups, all the condiments and toast toppers coming in individual plastic containers. At the end there was a huge bin full of disposable waste. Apart from the mass of landfill required to dispose of the waste, everything was oil-based. Across the USA, the quantity of oil used to manufacture the plastic and polystyrene must be enormous. When will the world wake up to the waste of resources that could be saved by using reusable materials? Geoff Lindsay, Thurgoona
War crime and punishment
Now that the initial reactions to Ben Roberts-Smith’s arrest and charging for criminal conduct have subsided, reflection is possible (“Team who built the case against BRS”, April 11). The indictment of a decorated soldier is traumatising and polarising, but how a nation responds to alleged war crimes defines its character and reputation. As a liberal democracy built on the rule of law, that choice was clear. Integrity in our military institutions is central to our sense of “Australian-ness” and to our international standing. Accordingly, we chose a rigorous, transparent approach to apply to the Australian Defence Force over the opaque approach sometimes used by the Israel Defence Forces. Accountability must also extend upwards to include the military “brass” that sent them on multiple tours without sufficient oversight, and the politicians who sent them in the first place. A nation that asks young Australians to fight in its name owes them support, a moral compass, transparency and honesty. Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic)
(N)DISclaimer
Health Minister Mark Butler is to be commended on welcoming a debate on means-testing the NDIS (“Butler opens door to NDIS means testing”, April 11). While there are many worthy and deserving NDIS recipients, it seems unfair extremely wealthy citizens can have access to the NDIS. It is difficult to receive a part aged pension due to assets but even Gina Rinehart is eligible for NDIS support if required. Robyn Lewis, Raglan
Instructive astronauts
Watching the return of the astronauts on Artemis II (“View from space can change our attitude to our precious planet”, April 11) just now has brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. I remember the televised moon landing back in 1969 and being awestruck by the ambition and capability of the US. As youngsters we all had such immense respect for this country. My goodness, the US today and its foul-mouthed leader have made us all feel duped in our belief. They surely can be great again when Trump is ousted and the people do realise the damage he and his acolytes have inflicted on civility and our yearning for a better world. Bruce Hall, Avalon
NASA’s Artemis spaceship travelled further than mankind has ever travelled before, 406,777 kms by the time the moonshot splashed down in the Pacific on Saturday, a scientific and technology wonder. So how hard is it to manage transit through a 33-54km wide strait of water between Iran, Oman and the UAE, the Strait of Hormuz? With all the armaments and naval mine technology, surely the US or Europe can clear the space of mines and open it up? William Tuck, Mosman
It was wonderful to see the astronauts return safely to Earth following their technologically perfect voyage around the moon. Congratulations to all involved. It was very grounding also to see those dinky little earthly wheelchairs propelled by a human follow them discreetly as they left the helicopters. Welcome home, folks. Kath Maher, Lidcombe
Big congratulations to the returning astronauts, but what happened to the toilet and who fixed it? Graham Russell, Clovelly
Protect your (royal) selves
Harry and Meghan are private citizens, and their visit is “for private, business and philanthropic engagements” (“Public to foot policing bill for Sussexes’ Australia tour”, April 11). In the next few weeks I shall be visiting Sydney for a private visit, do some business and, probably, drop a few coins in a pavement musician’s hat. Should I inform the NSW Commissioner of Police about my visit, and will he provide me with special protection? I don’t think so. I don’t expect that, although I expect police to come to my aid if needed. I would, however, expect those who have foregone their public duties to be discreet in their movements and, if required, to pay for their own protection. Selfish it may be, but the people of NSW who pay for their police service deserve to be protected first. Les Sisley, Kelso
Central West deserves better
Imagine the Harbour Bridge, the Gladesville Bridge or the Anzac Bridge shut indefinitely (“Blue Mountains highway fix to avoid worst-case scenario”, April 11) – there’d be outrage and immediate action. Instead, west of the Blue Mountains, people are sent on a so-called “detour” that is dangerous, degrading and unacceptable. The detour road between Lithgow and Oberon via Duckmaloi – under Lithgow City Council – is a potholed, vehicle-wrecking disgrace. A three-hour trip from Sydney becoming five isn’t inconvenience — it’s neglect. Central West residents are fed up with being treated like second-class citizens while supplying the goods, labour and tourism the state relies on. How many crashes — or deaths — will it take before governments act on what should have been fixed decades ago? Vivien Clark-Ferraino, Duckmaloi
In all the recent public discussion of the Great Western Highway, no-one has mentioned the “h” word. How will the solution preserve the heritage-listed causeway? Will the engineers simply replace the fill between the sandstone walls, leaving western NSW to be accessed by a single lane each way, or is this the opportunity to provide a modern dual carriageway suitable for 21st century transport? Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls
I note Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the government “wanted the best engineers and other experts to give options to ‘restore access’.” But neither I nor any of my distinguished civil engineering mates have had the call. And clearly the minister doesn’t read the Letters Page or LinkedIn, wherein I and those mates have given such options, and for free. Happy to take your call, minister – we have plenty of time to devote to helping you. Peter Thornton, Killara
It wasn’t the main point of the report, but I did notice that NSW Coalition leader Kellie Sloane was talking about support for business owners who rely on passing traffic. Other business owners in Lithgow are benefiting from increased passing traffic. You’d think the extra profits from those traders could be redirected to those suffering. Surely, we do not still believe the adage “Privatise profits, socialise losses.” Neville Turbit, Russell Lea
Matt O’Sullivan swiftly outlines what is presumably the NSW government’s preferred position: that a crucial fix can be achieved “avoiding the prospect of a more costly alternative route”. But little is made of what this means, which is that the government’s ad hoc response to the road closure aspires only to the return of this choke point of the Great Western Highway to the standards of 1832. This is their vision? Tom Williams, Little Hartley
The closure of Mt Wilson Road could not come at a worse time for those wishing to make the pilgrimage to enjoy the autumn colours of this unique township in the Blue Mountains. Hopefully, the loss of income from visitors to the area this season will not seriously impact the continuing upkeep of its historic gardens. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills
Festival dictators
Thank you, Melissa Mantle (“Is the writers’ festival screwing its writers? This isn’t fiction”, April 11), for alerting us who attend the Sydney Writers’ Festival that the organisers are barring their authors from appearing at any other book event not associated with the festival for several weeks before and after their official appearances. As someone who frequents literary events I find it offensive, and slightly dictatorial, that a supposed writers’ organisation would want to restrict an author from speaking about and spruiking their book. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury
Trains up the Creek
Multiple correspondents (Letters, April 11) reasonably bemoan the loss of a Wolli Creek stop for the airport interchange for South Coast trains later this year. The simple short-term solution will be to change at Sutherland for a same or cross-platform interchange. Hurstville interchange ease may vary between peak and off-peak. A solution to encourage South Coast-airport patronage could include platforms on the local lines at Wolli Creek, 10-cars long for city-bound trains and between four and eight-cars for South Coast-bound trains. Minimalist platforms and shelters, and the simplest accessible option(s) for platform interchange. Chris Downs, Stanwell Park
Unlikeliest allies
Thomas Friedman refers to the need for the US and China to collaborate to suppress bad AI actors (“AI creators scared of their creation”, April 11), which seems as fanciful as the US and China collaborating on dealing with the oil crisis, geopolitical stability, tariffs, climate change or just about anything else you can think of. And his references to “responsible governments, responsible countries and responsible companies” are certainly ideals searching for reality, given that who is or is not “responsible” will be determined by self-interest. Adam Liberman, Randwick
We are Newcastle
In case you don’t know, we are Newcastle, yes, good old taken-for-granted and overlooked Newcastle with a stunning lake nearby and dazzling beaches but not good enough to be included in the top 10 best train trips from Sydney (April 11). We have long memories up this way. Julie Robinson, Cardiff
Vegans forgotten
I know, being a vegan, that many times the host forgets (or doesn’t care, despite knowing me for years) and apologises in front of other guests (“From Ozempic to surprise vegans”, April 11). You end up eating some fruit if you’re lucky, or you give them a present then look for food after you leave the party. I might be an odd man out, but there has to be respect for various diets in the 21st century. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill
Ladies still queueing
After a recent (last month) tour of the State Theatre in Sydney, my girlfriends and I remain in awe of the beauty of renovations in the art deco style bathroom areas for ladies (“If you could turn back time, the ’20s would look like this”, April 11). We also reflected on the lack of cubicle numbers for use at a time when women’s attendance was not always encouraged. Times rarely change, it seems, as queues for ladies’ facilities continue to be lengthy. Janice Creenaune, Austinmer
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