The graphic in Shane Wright’s compelling article (“Stand-off over Strait of Hormuz affects us all”, March 6) shows a cluster of dots, like a large swarm of ants scurrying on the pavement. The problem is that each small dot is not an ant, but represents the position of a bulk cargo ship trapped in the Persian Gulf, at roughly six-hourly intervals, including some 60 Very Large Crude Carriers, or VLCCs (massive, ocean-going oil tankers that can carry about 2 million barrels of crude oil). In Australia, we now have only two oil refineries and import more than 90 per cent of products such as petrol and diesel, leaving us highly exposed to oil shocks, and it must surely be time for the Albanese government to introduce tough, old-fashioned energy efficiency measures. Measures such as increased working from home and car-pooling for commuters, increased use of rail freight and even coastal shipping – still reliant on fossil fuel but both far more efficient methods for transportation of goods than road – and a ramp up of EVs and renewables. This could include acceleration of the government’s Solar Sunshot program to increase domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing and, if necessary, requisitioning key areas of land urgently required for completion of renewables projects and transition lines. As the Climate Council reminds us, renewables, batteries and electrification are not only climate solutions, they are also energy security solutions. Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT)
Shane Wright puts the war in Iran in perspective for the motorists and grain growers of the world, all of whom are dependent upon the oil and gas tankers that transport their products from the Persian Gulf. It may not be obvious to Trump, but surely this must be a wake-up call to every other world leader of the necessity to move away from being reliant on fossil fuels. Solar and wind energy do not need to travel through the Strait
of Hormuz. Peter Nash, Fairlight
I am a motorist, and I am not worried. I have an electric car, like many Australians. It is powered from the solar panels on my roof. No fuel shortage worries for those with clean, electric vehicles. John Turnbull, Mona Vale
Amid the long-standing and now increasing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the consequent threat to shipping, Oman has the chance to create a safe shipping route by building a canal through its exclave of Musandam, at the entrance to the Strait. The narrowest part is less than 300 metres across. In one engineering project, Oman could make shipping safer and earn a steady income. Now would be a good time to get out the theodolites. Matthew Stevens, Thornleigh
If ever there were a time to promote the transition to clean energy, it is now. As petrol and diesel prices head higher and supplies become more vulnerable, happy are those who own a car, ute or small truck with a big battery. Charging at home or en route, EV ranges will get you up to 600 kilometres and PHEV ranges up to 100km on electric power alone. We must call out the stupidity of right-wing parties and their media who support old energy policies based on coal, oil and gas. Electrify everything from wind, solar and hydro with battery storage. We must build resilience in the face of the changes we cannot control, but can be better prepared for. Harry Creamer, Port Macquarie
Reagan was right
Price gouging by servos amid the US-Iran conflict confirms that the watchdog ACCC’s bark is much worse than its bite (“Ex-watchdog chief slams fuel stations’ price rise excuses”, March 6). Following Ronald Reagan’s “When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat” sensible deterrent, instead of just monitoring them, the ACCC needs to start penalising those profit gouging. Steve Ngeow, Chatswood
Sinking feeling
The revelation that Australian sailors were aboard the submarine that sank an Iranian frigate (“Australian sailors on sub that sank Iranian frigate”, March 6) is a damning indictment of a government that prefers opacity to accountability. By withholding such critical information, the government has effectively made us complicit in a conflict that lacks both legal justification and a clear strategic purpose. This isn’t just a matter of domestic secrecy, it is a dangerous provocation. We are essentially inviting adversarial powers – be they Russia, North Korea or China – to view Australia as a soft target for demonstrating the consequences of American-led aggression. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent address to parliament highlighted the necessity of “middle powers” acting with collective responsibility. Unfortunately, as long as our leadership is defined by the narrow, parochial lens of NSW Labor Party branch politics rather than international strategic depth, we will remain dangerously insular. We desperately need the “weighty” experience Carney described, rather than a government that cannot see beyond its own shadow and that of the United States. Chris Rivers, Port Macquarie
I am concerned about the implications of Australian service personnel being “onboard” the USA submarine that engaged in an attack on an Iranian vessel. One of the concerns of many Australians about the AUKUS deal is that we would not have agency in joining up with the USA in its ill-advised wars. The precedent has been set. Our sailors have been co-opted with or without approval of the Australian government. Anyway, our Canberra officials won’t tell us. What’s next? The Royal Australian Air Force strafing unarmed, unidentified fisherman in international waters under orders from an American pro-Trump commander? John Nichol, Baulkham Hills
That any Australian submariners were aboard the US nuclear submarine that destroyed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena makes them and the Royal Australian Navy involuntary participants in a war crime. This is a clear warning of what to expect if, under AUKUS, the US has operational command over any nuclear submarines delivered: Australian personnel can be unwittingly co-opted into illegal military actions. The Australian government must order the navy to cease further involvement of its personnel in this US conflict. Mark Berg, Caringbah South
Never again will the Albanese government be able to appeal un-hypocritically to an international rules-based order after being complicit in such a clear breach of international law. Allen Greer, Sydney
On the edge of our seats
The Farrer byelection lays bare the internal disarray within the Coalition, with Barnaby Joyce and David Littleproud trading blows while voters are left wondering who actually intends to represent them (“Joyce accuses Littleproud of throwing in towel in Farrer”, March 6). Amid this political theatre, one thing is clear: Farrer deserves better than a party that has become a professional complaints unit. One Nation, now home to Barnaby Joyce, offers no credible policies to govern Australia. Its platform is built on grievance, not solutions. Voters in Farrer should not be asked to choose between dysfunction and defeatism. Warren Bowden, Fairlight
There would be no need for an expensive byelection in Farrer, or anywhere for that matter, if we did this: If a member wishes to vacate their seat before an election, the person who ran second in the contest would be given the seat, unless of course there are other issues such as illness or serious family questions to address. Rather than lose a seat, members without a doubt would not break their contract with the voters who had put their faith in that person to run a full term. Ray Armstrong, Tweed Heads South
Time to put Kyle out with the bins
Your US correspondent has every right to listen to and apparently enjoy the offerings of what was the Kyle and Jackie O show (“Don’t dance on Kyle and Jackie’s grave – they were the best”, March 6). Just as others have the right to watch TV shows such as Married At First Sight, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Big Brother, Love Island and others of that ilk. The fact that these shows exist and are popular must say something about our society, which seems to accept that it is OK to devalue human relationships, encourage misogyny, treat sex as a game rather than a meaningful expression of any sort of commitment and generally celebrate the lowest forms of human behaviour. This while we so often bemoan the attitudes of young men towards women in the modern age. Some may see these offerings as entertainment. I am happy to call them out as nothing but garbage. Phil Peak, Dubbo
Credit to the excellent Michael Koziol for attempting to defend the indefensible. Given that I felt the need to have a shower having simply read his descriptions of Kyle and Jackie’s many putrid indiscretions, I’d suggest that if they were indeed “an exemplar of the medium” then we need to take a long, hard look at our society for embracing and enabling them for so long. Nice try, Michael. Tim Parker, Balmain
Exemplar? Epitome, paragon of what? Unlike Michael Koziol, my limited experience, long ago, of the Sandilands-Jackie O show did not leave me cackling at their sleazy inanities and occasional warped attempts at humour but concerned about what made them so appealing. Koziol’s own examples of Sandilands’ misogyny, salaciousness and person-damaging ignorance makes one wonder what he found to cackle about. As Herald letter writers have made clear, we should indeed be dancing on their “grave”. Many will hope this show, this exemplar of bad taste, is dead and buried, and that more genuinely amusing breakfast fare might soon be on offer. Ron Sinclair, Windradyne
That Michael Koziol thinks Kyle and Jackie O’s humour is fine, might pass the pub test with mates. It doesn’t pass the BBQ test where families are present. Michael, read Jacqueline Maley’s article (“Kyle’s a misogynist and bully, but Jackie O enabled him”, March 5) concerning the King and Queen of sleaze. Speaks for many of us who have tried them and have now retreated from the tawdriness. John Busch, Kaleen (ACT)
Millions of dollars a year? Looks like I am in the wrong industry – community radio network. But then again, I have my dignity. Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga
Fifteen years ago, I auditioned for Australia’s Got Talent. Having made it through the initial “cattle call” mass audition I found myself on stage facing the three judges, one of whom was Kyle Sandilands. After my performance – in which I froze like a deer in the headlights – Kyle came back stage and spoke some very kind and encouraging words to me. I am an African-American-Australian woman and, at that time, I was in my 50s. There was no reason for Kyle to be kind to me; we both knew I would not be part of the show after my disastrous performance. I am mystified by his behaviour. How much of what he does is for show and how much is heartfelt? I will always remember our brief interaction for the comfort it gave me, however I cannot reconcile this with his subsequent behaviour, time and time again, on radio. Gerianne Rudd, Toowong (Qld)
Michael Koziol, I’m sure others will respond with more aplomb. If you spoke to experts in the field of young men’s brain development you would realise the negative influence this show had. I’m too flabbergasted to say more. Gail Grogan, Toongabbie
Don’t you love it when, if you object to something like, say, an on-air urinating competition or a “joke” about concentration camps, you are automatically a “hater”? Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown
So Kyle Sandilands is “robust” and “a maverick-type character” (‴Kyle will sue’: Sandilands and ARN face ugly stoush”, March 5). I wonder what he’d have to do to be termed “difficult”? Change his gender, probably. Ruth Barcan, Berowra Heights
End scourge of DV
The horrific daily life for females in Afghanistan (“For these 21 million women, there’s little to celebrate”, March 6) has been detailed in a timely way as International Women’s Day is observed on March 8. Life for them is intolerable. In Australia, widespread domestic violence affects one woman in four. A woman is killed by a partner every nine days. This is a serious problem. More deaths, disability or illness affects the 25-44 age group than any other preventable factors. The hidden emotional abuse erodes self-worth as households suffer volatile mood swings while “walking on eggshells”. More effort must be used to find out why and put in programs to reduce domestic violence in Australia. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong
Dead reckoning
The government wants to use a golf course for burying bodies (“Cemetery where dead are buried twice”, March 6)? At some cemeteries, you have a double plot for 30 years and then they, I guess, cremate the remains. My mother was happy with that. In Italy, which is a very religious country, I heard they are reusing graves. Land is surely more important for living souls than dead ones. Isn’t it time we looked at reusing graves rather than finding new ground? Rosslyn Jeffery, Castle Hill
It is indeed a grave situation facing Sydney, but to take over Carnarvon golf course is a short-term fix. Eventually, Sydney will again run out of space to bury its dead. Alternative solutions, such as promotion of cremation or reusing existing graves, need to be considered. If still necessary, then an unused appropriate parcel of land should be utilised. There is no need for this land to be close to Rookwood. In fact, there would be employment and other economic benefits if it were some distance away. Matthew Boylan, Leichhardt
Grave shortage? Bury them standing up. Mustafa Erem, Terrigal
Failure to connect
I can well understand older readers’ frustration with assumptions of universal mobile phone use (Letters, March 6). I spent three weeks over Christmas and the new year, waiting daily for the delivery of my new refrigerator I had ordered online, while about $200 worth of groceries rotted in the sun. The problem was, apparently, that I had neglected to respond to their text messages, a bit hard for me to do with a landline phone, although I had explicitly told them, when putting in the order, that due to hearing and out of the house commitment related issues, and not having a mobile phone, that I needed all communication being via email. When I finally did get to speak to a person at the company to remind them of this, they insisted that they were in the right because they had texted me several times. Also, the financial newsletter that I subscribe to has cut me off, as “Verification to protect your account” requires a mobile phone to complete the login access process, and as you might expect, getting to speak to someone about this will probably involve “leaving a mobile phone number to text”. Let us hope that AI can be trained better than some human staff, as in reading customer point-of-purchase, contact and delivery statements, and not making assumptions about the “universality” of technological access in the absence of evidence. Garry Dalrymple, Earlwood
Meeting of the minds
Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook (Letters, March 6), I also hadn’t crossed path in person with other Herald letter writers, apart from friends who contribute, until recently. Through an old school friend of ours, who is also an acquaintance of Con Vaitsas, I was introduced to Con at an inner-city music gig where our friend was playing. Apparently, in some conversation between them the Dalziell in Letters somehow arose. Like Allan and Meredith Williams, we also discussed the “current content of the letters pages”, and indeed relative to past content. Also, Allan, we were Cherrybrook residents for many years, so we must have crossed paths without ever knowing it. Like Allan, I also wonder who’ll get published first, though hopefully either Meredith or me, given this weekend is International Women’s Day, and recent comments about proportionate publication of men and women! Happy IWD to all female Herald letter writers, published or not. Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville
Allan Gibson of Cherrybrook, I would be delighted to become acquainted with you, as you have with Meredith Williams of Baulkham Hills. I, too, am a writer to the Herald, though probably not as prolific as Ms Williams, and would only be too pleased to share a latte with you at Cootamundra’s Dusty Road coffee shop. Just drop me a note and I’ll put the kettle on. Terry Charleston, Cootamundra
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