Nationals nuclear push not viable
IT seems The Nationals’ Member for Mallee, Anne Webster, is serving the interests of the uranium mining lobby rather than the Mallee in her push for nuclear energy (The Guardian, December 2).
The use of small modular reactors (SMRs) would only increase electricity costs while slowing our transition to a low carbon economy.
In the CSIRO’s 2022 GenCost report, the 2030 cost estimates for nuclear (SMR) electricity generation is $136-326/MWh, while wind and solar PV is A$61-82/MWh. These estimates take into account the transmission and storage costs that Ms Webster alluded to.
SMRs are not a realistic or safe option. There are only two in operation, one in Russia and one in China.
It took 12 years to build the Russian model and plans to build another seven have not been realised.
Following the construction of China’s SMR, the Chinese State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation dropped plans to make another 20 on economic grounds.
For equivalent power production, they are more expensive and inefficient than large nuclear reactors and produce more nuclear waste.
On average, it takes over nine years to build a nuclear power plant whereas it takes one to three years to complete a major wind or solar project.
The pragmatic solution to is to move quickly to 100 per cent renewable electricity generation using the proven, available and cheaper technologies already available. The Mallee has so much to gain from more renewable energy projects but nothing to gain from The Nationals’ nuclear push.
John Brownstein
Tyntynder South
Strong, local voice
THIS election has shown that regional Victorians are looking for a strong, local voice to represent them in Parliament.
Someone who knows what makes our smaller communities tick, and who will hold the government to account as it continues to overlook our rural and regional communities.
The voters of Shepparton, Morwell and Mildura sent a clear message to the independents that previously represented them that it was time for a change.
And the communities of our incumbent MPs once again renewed their support of a party prioritising people living outside of the city.
The Nationals have deep roots in our country communities and a long history of strong advocacy for all regional Victorians.
Our grassroots campaigns, led by candidates who are fierce advocates for their regions, brought the issues regional Victoria faces to the fore.
And regional Victorians chose to support a party that would lower their cost of living, address our crumbling roads, fix Victoria’s health crisis and deliver agricultural innovation for Victoria, among myriad other things.
Labor said they’re doing what matters, and we’re here to ensure they’re doing it for all Victorians, and not just the inner-city.
The Nationals now cover Victoria from border to border.
We will ensure the Labor Government knows it must do more for regional Victoria.
The Nationals is the only party solely representing regional Victoria, it is our core focus and it should be a focus for the Labor Government.
We have a great team that will work together to make sure regional Victoria has a very loud, very proud, very strong voice in Parliament.
Peter Walsh
Member for Murray Plains
Leader of The Nationals
Volunteers beware
I VOLUNTEERED from 2019 until August 2022.
When I started, I had to do a course that cost me $160. I was told by the unit that I joined that I would be paid back, still waiting.
When I resigned in August, I was asked to sign a blank cheque. I refused and I told them that I wouldn’t sign a cheque that was not filled in.
Then later I was asked to sign another cheque. I again said that I would not sign a cheque that was not filled in as I didn’t trust them.
Then on September 19, I received a letter from a new secretary which I never knew we had.
In the letter was a $150 cheque for travel for 2021/22. One of the signatures on the cheque didn’t match the cheques that had been written for the unit for the time I was a member.
On a pension, the $310 owed is a lot of money.
So volunteers, please be aware of those who have control of a cheque book.
Bev McDonald
Ex-volunteer
The battler’s stand tall
On the edge of disaster
They stand and they fight
Brave souls on the levees
They work day and night
With flood water rising
What will unfold?
As they wait now and pray
That the levees will hold
Every minute is precious
Big river runs high
Catchments are full
And nothing is dry
The pain won’t relent
Seems to fall everyday
And farmers are cursing
The flooded land where it lay
Bumper crops for the harvest
But sodden ground down below
If it don’t dry in time
Will be a cruel blow
And the poor dairy farmer
He stuck in a bind
Pastures are flooded
Now hay he must find
So think you’re got troubles
Spare a thought for those souls
They work day and night
As this disaster unfolds
It’s our country Australia
And I say now with pride
The battlers stand tall
Take it all in their stride.
Grant Mitchell
