The latest report by the Australian Energy Market Commission shows that residential electricity prices in Australia have fallen as cheaper renewables replace coal.

Mr Rumble conveniently compares Australian prices with the US but the prices of electricity in the UK, Japan, Denmark and Germany are all higher than ours.

In regard to reliability, a study of Kogan Creek, Australia's newest high-efficiency, low-emissions coal plant, shows its breakdowns occur often, are the biggest in the national energy market and contribute to price spikes.

If there was a carbon pricing mechanism in Australia, and if the billions of dollars subsiding the fossil-fuel industry were removed, coal-fired power would be phased out even faster.

The dangerous, dirty coal industry has had its day. It's time to wake up and catch up before it's too late.

The world's young people deserve a liveable planet.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn

I refer to recent news concerning coal and renewables.

Unfortunately, the major parties have been infiltrated by climate alarmists to the detriment of the working class.

Within the Liberal Party, in NSW we have Matt Kean and Malcolm Turnbull openly opposing coal, although Kean would have been told to keep quiet until after the Upper Hunter by-election.

Into the mix is the Greens Party or the party of white ants, who oppose everything besides solar panels and wind turbines.

At the last state election many members of the Labor party had to rely on preferences of the Greens party to get them over the line.

An example was the Leader of the Opposition Jodi McKay who received 44 per cent of the primary vote and would have to rely on the Greens vote of 9 per cent among others.

Joel Fitzgibbon, who represents a coal mining area, elected to resign from the federal opposition shadow cabinet, because of party policy.

Whilst coal is being demonised, the taxpayer-funded renewables gravy train keeps rolling along being propped up by tens of millions of dollars of public funds being poured in.

John Rumble, Albion Park

The Japanese government is going to release radioactive water used to cool the damaged Fukushima reactors into the ocean. The water will be "cleaned" of the most dangerous radioactive materials. No, this is not the plot of the latest Godzilla movie, this is real life.

The powerful filter system is of course safe, although so was the reactor. Things can go wrong, and a polluted, radioactive ocean would be another disaster.

The other issue is that if the filter works perfectly where will the Japanese government store the highly reactive material for the next few million years?

There are so many worries about this and the possible damage to our planet. A better solution must be found.

Godzilla will not be happy.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Box Hill

Australia's PM thinks we need to be on a "war footing" to combat this winter's Wuhan flu.

But he should also prepare for a real war with a return of national service.

It should be paid service, and all 18 year old's should be given the choice - get a job or volunteer. To make the choice easier, Nasho's should be paid but all government job subsidies for all able-bodied people in that age group should cease for their Nasho year. Make it a real "break year". Those who are anti-army can choose to pick fruit and vegies.

These rules should apply to all healthy young people and there should be no rainbow brigades or diversity lectures - just real military training. There should be provision for separate men's and women's battalions in infantry, artillery, transport, ambulance or cyber warfare.

This policy should be announced in principle on Anzac Day.

Viv Forbes, Washpool

"The political class are aghast when it is mentioned that public monies be spent to assist with a new coal-fired power station. However, they are enthralled when the taxpayer funded renewables gravy train keeps rolling along, being propped up by tens of millions of dollars from public funds."

John Rumble (Letters 15/4/21) has it the wrong way round with the above comment.

No business has offered to put up any money for a new coal power station and the government would have to fund it all (not simply assist) before selling it cheap.

The renewables are what is subsidised because there are businesses willing to fund the building of wind and solar farms.

People should remember that the last coal power station built in NSW, by the government, was sold to private enterprise who promptly closed the station down and sold the equipment.

It was a simple economic decision based on decreasing the supply at the same time that demand was increasing, so obviously the price increases as well.

The fact that John wants more coal power, (proven to be the most expensive power in Australia even when a plant is already built) that will further increase electricity costs and take nearly a decade to build, is strange.

Andrew Brown, Nundle