We've only just begun
I was very disappointed in Tim Fischer's patronising comments regarding Cathy McGowan and the reign of Independents being over ('On his campaign bike', The Border Mail, April 27) despite the "energetic service" that Cathy provided in her role.
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Just maybe the voters of Indi want their federal representative to provide energetic service, just maybe the voters of Indi want someone of integrity to listen to them and represent them in Canberra. Just maybe the voters of Indi believe enough in ourselves, our region and our views to be happy to have a quality respected Independent represent us. Maybe the voters of Indi do not want to elect a party representative who will vote on what the party wants, whether it is good for Indi or not.
Just maybe the voters of Indi are not fooled by the amount of money that the National party is putting into publicity in Indi. Mr Fischer, the age of Independents may have only just begun.
Jenny Gordon, Yackandandah
Technology 'incomplete'
It is no surprise to me that my electricity bill was twice the normal charge this summer. This is what you get with a mish mash of incomplete technology which promises and does not deliver. We were promised cheaper electricity if we installed smart meters. It didn't happen. Environmental power would be cheaper. It hasn't happened.
The Victorian Farmers Federation last Thursday at the CWA "meet the candidates" was most informative. I asked about energy and there were some revealing answers. It is surprising to me that so-called independent Helen Haines, despite being well educated, and the Labor and Greens candidates, are going with incomplete technology which they claim are environmentally better and is turning up very costly.
We have been promised cheaper electricity since all these environmental power schemes have been pushed, and politicians have fallen over by the fear of being Getup targets if they disagreed. But unless you are able to afford and install solar panels, (and even these need coal fired back-up after sunset, duplicating the whole system) costs stay astronomically high. Ask anyone who is in business or on a pension.
While I am hesitant about nuclear power too, it seems that current high energy, low emission coal-fired power is still the safest for Australians. Overseas they think so too. We are playing into the hands of current coal-fired power as they can charge what they like for peak power. At twice their previous year's profits they have been set up for devious pricing. Renters are paying the bulk of it due to not having solar.
Looming droughts, looming electricity shortages and looming food shortages will be on their next election agenda if we don't shape up to reality and continue with this foolishness. Hanson, Palmer and the incumbents had better get it right. I don't trust the others one bit.
John Vance Wangaratta
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