Coalition needs to own all of Snowy 2.0’s problems

The Coalition’s response to the updated costs for Snowy 2.0 are as predictable as they are pathetic (“Snowy 2.0 cost blows out to $25 billion in huge setback”, October 23). It’s always someone else’s fault in their world. This project was conceived and costed on a napkin by the Coalition, and they are entirely to blame for the lack of due diligence to properly cost it in the first place or to factor in contingencies for the massive geological risk. They signed the contracts and oversaw the first three years of construction. What this proves is that should the Coalition ever produce another nuclear energy thought bubble, we need to quadruple their cost estimate and double or triple the predicted construction timeframe. Brendan Jones, AnnandaleWorkers at the Snowy 2.0 Lobs Hole site in October 2024.Alex EllinghausenThe cost blowout of Snowy 2.0, from an initial announcement of $2 billion, to be constructed over four years, to current “estimates” of $25 billion, and not completed until late 2029, should provide a salient message to the Coalition and One Nation policymakers, who persist in claiming that nuclear power plants can be constructed economically and in time to replace our ageing coal-fired power plants. We have abundant expertise in tunnelling and construction work, as needed for Snowy 2.0. We have no such expertise in building nuclear facilities, and examples from around the world consistently demonstrate huge cost blowouts and lengthy completion dates for nuclear plant construction. Solar and wind are cleaner, cheaper, easier and quicker to build, and come without the dangers of nuclear contamination and waste byproducts, nor the need for vast amounts of water to provide cooling. Voters should beware of parties claiming that nuclear is the answer to our energy needs. Alan Marel, North Curl CurlIt seems Snowy Hydro 2.0 is a burgeoning economic white elephant buried deep underground in an endless tunnel. But there’s an obvious solution. Isn’t it an ideal location for Australia’s first nuclear power plant buried safely deep underground with ample water for cooling. Alex Selby, VaucluseWhy is Snowy 2.0 years behind schedule, billions over budget and constantly bogged down by technical failures? Look at its structure. Snowy Hydro is structured as an operational energy company – an entity meant to generate and sell electricity – not a dedicated mega-infrastructure builder. Asking a utility leadership to deliver a complex hydro project – tunnelling, difficult geology, multifaceted engineering systems and commissioning, coupled with arguably an inappropriate contracting model – is like asking Qantas to build the Western Sydney Airport. Best practice in major public works demands a dedicated, ring-fenced project delivery authority run by engineers, and project delivery experts, eg, scheduling, cost and contract managements, etc. Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic)BRS courting dangerThere is no doubt about Ben Roberts-Smith’s bravery and courage, but there is doubt on his guilt or innocence on war crimes charges. The proper place to air those allegations is not in a national radio interview (“The claims that went unchecked in Fordham’s BRS interview”, October 23) but in a court with all its safeguards. Is the interview not a subtle effort by BRS and his legal advisers to influence a future jury to rule in his favour regardless of the evidence? Lin Sinton, Killarney HeightsIf Ben Roberts-Smith is trying to “shape” public opinion, the public also needs frequent reminding of the facts (“Roberts-Smith’s big publicity blitz is aimed at an audience of 12”, October 23). Why does this alleged war criminal facing five counts of murder not simply await his trial? He has already told his side of the story under oath when he unsuccessfully sued Nine for defamation. The judge found to the civil test of probabilities that Roberts-Smith did murder prisoners under his control or directed others to do it. A full bench appeal unanimously upheld the verdict and the High Court refused to hear an appeal on the basis it had no prospect of success. What is really of concern is, as former Media Watch host and legal journals publisher Richard Ackland says, “If you can poison the well enough, then they will make a plea to drop the charges against him. I think that’s a reality.” Alison Stewart, RiverviewBen Roberts-Smith during his interview with Ben Fordham on 2GB.YouTubeI agree with Hugh Riminton about Ben Roberts-Smith’s media blitz. The question is how is this being allowed? The blatant public appeal by Roberts-Smith to influence potential jurors is mind-boggling. What other alleged criminal is ever afforded protestations of innocence in this manner? Johanna White, WoononaThe publicity campaign by Roberts-Smith, aided and abetted by 2GB is, as Hugh Riminton explained, aimed at potential jurors. The errors and lies in the broadcast were very well outlined by journalist Michael Bachelard. Given this, is BRS guilty of going further and creating confusion and telling lies and, in doing so, showing contempt for the court? If he creates an impression of nefarious things being done unfairly to him prior to the case, can a court be sure that jurors have not been corrupted and made up their minds before counter facts are presented? Should he, and could he, be banned from these exercises in propaganda whose sole aim is to muddy the waters? A judge can see through it, and lawyers can too, so it does seem to be up to the persuasive skills of the prosecution to counter this campaign. Tony Sullivan, IslingtonNewman, old tricksThere is absolutely no justification for a totally unimportant state politician to spend our money on such a boozy dinner regardless of how many attended the function (“Newman’s dinner splurge”, October 23). What value, if any, did we expect to get out of this investment? Can’t imagine what the food bill was if dinner was included. Those struggling with cost-of-living expenses must be disgusted. Denis Suttling, Newport BeachPauline Hanson and her NSW One Nation leader Mike Newman at Singleton Golf Club in late August.James BrickwoodOne Nation’s NSW leader Mike Newman is “having a lend of us”, thinking his outrageous spending at the taxpayers’ expense is OK. He needs to be reporting in full the benefits to the community, or pay for his own parties! Katriona Herborn, BlackheathIn retrospect, it seems unwise for the public servant in charge of reining in Mike Newman’s heroic bar tab to sign off their email with “Cheers”. Colin Stokes, CamperdownCriticisms of Mike Newman for his spending habits during his 28-month stint as a senior trade commissioner in Japan brings to mind economist Milton Friedman’s shrewd adage: “Nobody spends somebody else’s money as wisely as he spends his own.” Steve Ngeow, Chatswood Seven words – “There is so much money and waste” – distil my despair at party politics. For decades, I excused MPs who preached one thing while doing the opposite as being forced to deal with factional reality while suffering from cognitive dissonance – my own disorder in hoping against hope that a belief in democratic responsibility would help our “fair go” politicians resist exploiting power and privilege for its own sake. Newman’s example reveals how little hypocrisy counts when you simply don’t care. Independents forever! Peter Farmer, NorthbridgeIllustration by Matt Golding Listen first, politely debate laterWaleed Aly (“After Haines attack, what happens is important”, October 23) argues that our inability to listen to others, de facto categorising them as “unpeople”, may be a precondition of political violence. This is an urgent call to reflect on the significance of listening to others; not a polite listening while we wait to give our position and a rejection of the other’s case, but a non-judgmental pausing. A failure to listen is a consequence of our assuming that the other’s attitudes and values, politically or whatever, are the result of the kind of person they inherently are. Listening can result in an understanding that their attitudes and values are, in part, a consequence of the circumstances of their lives, conditions that we need to understand. Listening is the first step in “turning down the temperature”. Then shared goals and agreed differences can be discussed fruitfully. Paul Casey, Callala BayAlan Nicholas and Pamela Wood (Letters, October 23) are absolutely right. If we are serious about tackling the hatred and misinformation flourishing on social media, requiring platforms to verify the identity of their users should be a requirement. However, other reforms are also necessary. The business model of social media that rewards and amplifies polarising content needs to be curtailed. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and other social media platforms need to be treated as publishers that share legal responsibility with those who post content. Also, governments need to reform their defamation laws so that seeking redress is not financially prohibitive or drawn out. Only then will platforms have sufficient incentive to implement rigorous fact-checking and stricter controls on hate speech and threats. Freedom of speech should never mean freedom from accountability. Salvatore Sorbello, CampsieLong may MPs strollOver the years, I have seen former heads of government such as John Howard and Bob Hawke casually walk through main city thoroughfares without security, Malcolm Turnbull and his wife wander the streets, and several other political figures go about their business without hindrance or interaction from friends or foes (Letters, October 22). I often marvelled at the difference between those situations and similar figures in the United States, where former presidents and their families are accompanied by motorcades and men in black whenever they want to step out in public to go shopping or take their kids to the beach or a park. And I sincerely hope that the recent horrific attack on the clearly beloved Helen Haines might not alter that way of Australian life. I truly hope so because that would be an awful turning point in how we live in this country. Nick Andrews, Bellevue HillMental health failureNothing can excuse what happened to MP Helen Haines. What it does do, however, is highlight the deep shortcomings in the welfare system. As the perpetrator said, he was “left to sit in pain 24/7” (“Deleted posts show Nugent had mental health spiral”, smh.com.au, October 21). He has tried to find work and the disability pension is not enough to live on. He is constantly broke after spending on his health needs, and the NDIS is unavailable to him. No wonder that he cultivated cannabis as it is used by many for pain relief. Unfortunately, one side effect of over-indulging in non-medicinal cannabis is the risk to mental health, including schizophrenia. We create the society we live in. The mark of a civilised society is meant to be how it looks after its weakest and most vulnerable. Over the past few decades, Australia has fallen well short in this, particularly in the area of public housing. Many Baby Boomers grew up in housing commission houses. No such option exists today, and we see an unprecedented number of homeless people living on the street. This is a disgrace in what we consider our civilised society. Something more needs to be done to address these issues. Politicians will always be blamed for these problems, leaving them exposed to such attacks as the one we saw on MP Helen Haines. Veronica Crowe, TareeParliament will hold a dedicated session of tributes for Helen Haines on Monday.Alex EllinghausenI have been creating an image in my mind of Helen Haines returning to parliament in a wheelchair to thunderous and prolonged applause, with an audience of millions sharing this profound occasion. I know the family has asked people to make donations to Save the Children. It would be good to have a Helen Haines Award, in perpetuity, that could be given to people who overcome huge difficulties and go on to make great achievements. Ron Brown, WallsendTruth in political advertising laws (Letters, October 23) seems like a sensible way for the current parliament to demonstrate, in practice, their avowed bipartisan respect for Helen Haines, who has campaigned tirelessly for integrity in our political system. Maybe call it “Helen’s Law”? Phil Bradshaw, NaremburnNACC probe welcomeNick Newling (“NACC interest ‘piqued’ by grant program”, October 23), in an article flagging a potential NACC investigation of Labor’s invitation-only grants program, also notes our PM’s office leaked a “dirt file” on Helen Haines, the independent member for Indi allegedly attacked with a motor vehicle this past week. Our PM told everyone who would listen that we needed to “turn the temperature” down in politics when responding to Haines’ horrific injuries. If his office did indeed distribute a dirt file, our PM can no longer be considered to have the moral right or the emotional intelligence to continue to call himself the leader of this country. One Nation is a symptom of the turmoil this country is in, not the cause. We clearly have a national leader in name only. Marion Barrett, Padstow Labor’s “dirt sheet” is being seen as up there with what you might find on social media, and therefore inappropriate. The title – “dirt sheet” – leads to such connotations. But let’s be clear, there is a difference. As long as any criticism remains factual (albeit that it might be spun a particular way), and doesn’t stoop to personal attacks, unfounded opinion, conspiracy theories or innuendo, then it should be expected in a diverse society. It’s what you might find in a list of talking points or debate preparation. “Dirt sheets” just reflect our natural political differences. It is what magnifies those differences into polarisation and extremism, particularly if it tips over into violence, that we should be concerned about. David Rush, LawsonA “Red Rattler” departs Milsons Point to cross the Harbour Bridge in March 2022. One of the carriages was on the first trip across the bridge 90 years ago.Bianca De MarchiMetro v red rattlersThe Metro so far has been truly transformative – bringing rail transport back to the Hills district after an absence of more than 80 years and providing a faster, convenient link between the north and south of the harbour. The extension to Bankstown, however, follows the same route as before, with the same stations – albeit offering a more frequent and somewhat faster but generally less comfortable trip (“Long-suffering commuters have week to wait for metro”, October 23). While various journeys are being cherry-picked to highlight the time-saving benefits of the new Metro, it may be worth noting that a peak-hour trip from Bankstown to Central by Metro is only three minutes faster than the red rattler timetable of the 1960s. Doug Walker, Baulkham HillsHallelujah, but what happens to all the pink buses? Peter Miniutti, AshburyPutin no humanitarianOne wonders in what world Steve Witkoff lives (“Russia releases retired US teacher”, October 23). In his assessment of Putin as a humanitarian, he has failed to acknowledge Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, killing men, women and children, and his abduction of Ukrainian children. He has also failed to remember his humanitarian’s killing of Alexei Navalny and the others eliminated. Paul Keys, Clouds CreekIllustration by Matt Golding The destruction of Paris (and other French cities) has been ongoing for years (“Macron slams ‘stupid’ riot claims by foreign leaders”, October 23). When I visited Paris in 2005, I couldn’t get out of the place quickly enough. I felt it was not a welcoming city. I experienced an attempt to short-change me while cashing some traveller’s cheques, which could have turned quite nasty, and burnt-out cars were everywhere after a student protest. Ever since, I have told my friends that the next time I will be in Paris is because the plane I am in has crashed there. Now the unrest seems to have spread even wider (“Unmasked: The far-left extremist suspected of burning down 143-year-old town hall”, smh.com.au, October 23). David Sayers, GwandalanCummerbund challengeGood news! The cummerbund and I are back in fashion for a moment (“Is it a belt? Is it a corset? No, it’s a cummerbund”, October 23). My black Laura Ashley ’bund, retrieved from the back of the drawer, has been waiting for this moment since it last graced my waist on my going away outfit in 1984. Sadly, a corset would be more useful today, so it has been returned to the drawer alongside the “vintage” scarves, skinny French gloves and sequin/diamante belts, awaiting their own moments. Maggie McElhill, AnnandaleI remember my mother in the 1950s clinching in her waist around her dirndl skirt with a watermelon pink cummerbund. I thought I might revive her sense of style, but these days I don’t seem to be able to find my waist. Jan Boyd, SylvaniaTo submit a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.