Trumpflation nation
Stephen Long’s article is spot-on (“Shockflation nation”, October 3-9). These days most price rises that contribute to inflation are not due to excessive demand from a (long gone) wealthy society. Therefore, raising interest rates will do little to curb this demand. This method only results in more pain for those on marginal incomes, while the wealthy actually benefit from higher interest rates. This year “shockflation” has been exacerbated by “Trumpflation” – lack of oil supply and bizarre tariff policies are the drivers of price increases. A totally different approach by government (not just the Reserve Bank) is needed to address these pressures. I wonder how many RBA governors, senior economists and government ministers are working two jobs in order to stay afloat?
– Michael Paine, Beacon Hill, NSW
Climate hostage
With the shocking number of people already suffering the impacts of climate change, it is incomprehensible that political parties continue to take a “chainsaw” to climate policies (Anjali Sharma, “Facing the Coalition’s ‘chainsaw’ climate policy”, October 3-9). The climate crisis should not be hostage to partisan politics and short-term electoral interests. As Sharma has argued, a “country that cannot recognise a duty of care to future generations” is “failing morally”. Yet young people like me, who meet with MPs to advocate for stronger climate action, are too often met with empty promises and continued inaction. As climate impacts intensify and human suffering grows, how much longer will politicians delay before finding the courage and will to act?
– Christina Ding, Kew, Vic
Time of giving
I read Anjali Sharma and wondered when the obvious despair of the young will lead to open revolt. Many of us older Australians recognise that predatory capitalism, with the constant demand of economic growth, has reached its limit, with the environment on the verge of collapse. The mirage of technology coming to our rescue is more likely to lead to our demise with the threat of rogue AI. So, what is left for the young and the future? The older generations are all complicit and we need to stop whining about cost-of-living pressures and realise that what is at stake here is the very possibility of life itself. Post World War II have been the years of taking, but now is the time of giving, firstly by giving up the idea that the natural world owes us a living, let alone an “affluent lifestyle”.
– Peter Fernley, Taree, NSW
Mamdani’s way
David Shoebridge is no Zohran Mamdani (Jason Koutsoukis, “Inside the new Greens leader’s plan to ‘fill the void’ ”, October 3-9). Mamdani emerged from a furiously growing movement of democratic socialists, swamped with members after Bernie Sanders ran for president and Trump began torpedoing democracy. There are more than 120,000 members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), active on socialist issues and elections. Mamdani is the first to say that his success in office is not about him. It is about the power of volunteers and millions of doors knocked and phone calls to voters. This means that community accountability is built into his administration. It means that politics isn’t based on heroes but on the commitment to building broad-based civic and political engagement. Defeating right-wing policies is not about increasing vote share, as Shoebridge and other parties say; it’s about community ownership of the political process and agenda. The votes will follow.
– Amy Bachrach, McKinnon, Vic
Collective action
The coalmine expansion in New South Wales, releasing 800 megatonnes of greenhouse gases over its lifetime, will cause global temperatures to increase by 0.00036 degrees Celsius (“A turd in the swimming pool”, Editorial, October 3-9), which is the problem. The global emissions of carbon dioxide are about 40 billion tonnes a year, and aren’t decreasing at anywhere near the rate necessary to avoid catastrophic global heating. No one acting alone can have much effect, so everyone feels justified in not taking the necessary actions when it affects personal comfort or finances. A rigorous binding global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary – difficult with Donald Trump in the White House. I have solar panels, a home battery, an EV, don’t fly and I am a vegan – but nothing I do will reduce global heating significantly. Similarly, nothing Australia does will reduce global heating when most of the world is acting similarly irresponsibly.
– Wayne Robinson, Kingsley, WA