Albanese is all talk, no action on climate

Anthony Albanese opens Climate Week in New York with a clarion call about climate action. “We need to meet the problem head on” and “unfortunately, without strong action” climate disasters will get worse (“ Albanese takes climate warning to New York, but fossil fuel experts test credibility” , September 22). Yet his actions at home are anything but strong. Australia, the world’s third-largest fossil fuel exporter, is still approving new fossil fuel projects, has a Clayton’s carbon offset system, has a 43 per cent target for emissions reduction that is not enforceable, and gives billions to fossil fuel companies through diesel rebates and direct project funding. Like his gambling advertising reforms and government transparency, he talks the big talk, but his actions speak otherwise. Rowan Godwin, Rozelle

PM Albanese must surely have developed a thick skin after 30 years in politics. How else could a leader proclaim the need for greater measures to curb global warming in front of an international audience, despite having approved 37 fossil fuel projects since assuming office? Admittedly, Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels is trending downwards, but any reduction is offset by an increase in our coal exports. No doubt this is facilitated by more than $1 million in donations from the fossil fuel industry before to the 2025 election. Roger Epps, Armidale

I welcome Prime Minister Albanese standing up on the world stage and acknowledging that our climate is warming and that we need to meet the problem head on. But since coming to office, the government has approved multiple new, expanded or extended coal, oil and gas developments. If Australia is going to call on the rest of the world to confront climate change, we need to confront it at home, too. That means stopping the approval of new or expanded fossil fuel projects. Our actions need to match our words. Suzy Bessell, Cremorne

Herald readers have been treated to compelling opinion pieces from Richard Flanagan on AI (“ Albanese is selling out Australia to AI colonists as artists face ruin” , September 18) and Tim Winton on gas and climate disasters (“ Big gas drillers give us so little and take so much ”, September 19). If Geraldine Brooks were to write about Albanese’s failure to permanently protect native forests we’d have a trifecta of Australia’s literary heavyweights highlighting three major policy blind spots. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic)

Snake oil just doesn’t cover it. Exclusive Brethren leader Bruce Hales, who says he is “so close to the Lord Jesus that he can feel his heartbeat”, advocates – like Gina Rinehart and “the redhead” – digging up God’s “limitless resources” (“ More power to the redheads: Brethren leader backs Hanson ”, September 22). On what planet are resources limitless? In what universe is our planet not burning up? As for using our uranium to “build a few bombs”, that surely is a window into the man’s soul. Bearing arms is against Brethren doctrine, but by all means pray for it and advocate for it, via God, in the political sphere. Hales’ support for Hanson is now on the record. One Nation national director James Ashby will not comment.