Trumpflation nation<\/p>\n
Stephen Long\u2019s article is spot-on (\u201cShockflation nation<\/a>\u201d, 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 \u201cshockflation\u201d has been exacerbated by \u201cTrumpflation\u201d \u2013 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?<\/p>\n \u2013 Michael Paine, Beacon Hill, NSW<\/p>\n Climate hostage<\/p>\n With the shocking number of people already suffering the impacts of climate change, it is incomprehensible that political parties continue to take a \u201cchainsaw\u201d to climate policies (Anjali Sharma, \u201cFacing the Coalition\u2019s \u2018chainsaw\u2019 climate policy<\/a>\u201d, October 3-9). The climate crisis should not be hostage to partisan politics and short-term electoral interests. As Sharma has argued, a \u201ccountry that cannot recognise a duty of care to future generations\u201d is \u201cfailing morally\u201d. 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?<\/p>\n \u2013 Christina Ding, Kew, Vic<\/p>\n Time of giving<\/p>\n 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 \u201caffluent lifestyle\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2013 Peter Fernley, Taree, NSW<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s way<\/p>\n