How will Jess Wilson cut debt without cutting services?

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The Victorian Coalition has now committed to spending $90 million a year to save some of us (predominantly in marginal seats) toll charges (“ Road tolls to be capped at $50 weekly under Coalition commuter plan ”, 16/7). Rural voters must be ecstatic about paying more taxes to subsidise Melbourne. It would help if they could now explain how they’ll keep their commitment to reduce the state debt (by an albeit minuscule 1 per cent per annum) by doing that, when they are also spending $250 million extra per year on potholes, cancelling the ESL, lowering payroll tax, getting rid of land tax and employing thousands more police and PSOs (if they can get them) – without cutting services or sacking public servants. Maybe it explains why their social media posts now talk about “stabilising” debt rather than reducing it, as they have until recently. Richard Jamonts, Williamstown

Pledge gives help to those who don’t need it Jess Wilson’s cap on toll fees considers, like so much policy, that the cost-of-living crisis is experienced by everyone equally. Why give a motorist on $800,000 a year the same help as someone on $80,000? Such general applications assist those who don’t need it while reducing the pool of what might be made to those in real need of financial assistance. Jenny Herbert, Metung

Wilson gives low priority to sustainability Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has made a number of announcements which focus on the the cost of living but indicate the low priority her Coalition give to sustainability. Bringing back weekly bin collections ignores the benefits of lowering the amount of waste going into landfill and increases costs to councils. The opposition say they will “end the gas ban” but helping switch Victorian households to more efficient electric technology will have economy wide benefits, reduce harmful pollution and increase energy security. They say they will run coal plants for as long as possible, locking in more pollution and climate harm for our communities and raising insurance costs. Nature is under increasing pressure and climate risk is rising. Hip-pocket announcements may be popular, but I don’t think these policies will make Victoria “safer or more affordable” in the long run. David Hudspeth, Burwood

Grid costs are a major part of power bills The good news is that “record-breaking renewable energy generation” has helped many customers, with lower bills. The bad news is that the grid will continue to require major investment (″⁣ Energy giants warn big test still to come for power grid ″⁣, 17/8). The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) confirms that the cheapest way to maintain grid reliability is with wind and solar, backed up by batteries, hydroelectric and some gas. LNP energy policy includes building more rooftop solar and battery installations in urban areas. There would be major impacts of Jess Wilson’s promise to protect farmers by “pausing major transmission projects”.