Paying through the nozzle
The Government says that the 25 cent cut in fuel tax will cost it a total of more than $1 billion. This is incorrect.
For many months last year, before the Ukraine invasion, we were paying a high of around $2.20 – $2.30 per litre of 91
fuel. Just before it took the 25 cents off, we were paying around $3.30 per litre, indeed we would be paying around that now if it wasn't for the tax reduction. That is about $1 more per litre than last year.
The extra tax take, in round figures, would therefore be about 50 cents.
The Government has given us a 25 cent reduction, but it is still 25 cents better off. Surely, if it says it will lose more than $1 billion from the tax cut, in actual fact, the total extra tax take would have been more than $2 billion and it would still be around $1 billion better off if the petrol price had stayed at $2.30 per litre?
I realise these are very approximate figures, but the point I am making is that the Government is still far better off with the high petrol prices and a 25 cent tax reduction, than if prices had remained around $2.30 per litre.
Fred Jones, Te Atatū Peninsula.
Adding fuel
As unprecedented heat waves threaten the UK, Europe and the US with another early wildfire season, we extend the fuel subsidy.
As long as Western, rich nations continue subsidising fuel, we will never change our driving behaviour. As worldwide demand stays the same, the high cost of oil will remain. Governments of nations who can't afford the subsidies, face riots and topple.
How much pain must the world endure before we give up one iota of convenience and comfort?
Ian Swney, Morrinsville.
People power
Dr Keith Turner's assessment of increasing green power generation (NZ Herald, July 16) is too conservative but it is interesting to note how much we rely on and benefit from investments made many years ago.
We have to at least aim to double green energy output in the next 20 years.
Within five years, most new cars will be electric, but, more important, the option of buying hydrogen engines (by combustion) to replace diesel engines will be readily available. To be able to change to hydrogen we have to aim for a cost price for production of hydrogen per kg of between NZ$3-$4.
Subsidising new car purchases, supporting overseas investors or exporting hydrogen will not achieve this.
A green energy strategy has to be established, the regulatory environment has to be changed to build an integrated supply and demand system where anybody can contribute or benefit. Money received from fuel ETS should be used for the transformation to green energy.
Green power is not only about big power stations, but also about a huge amount of small contributors. The changes we have to make are not for the next 20 years but for the next 50 to 100 years.
Chris Kaelin, Te Awamutu.
Let's face it
Once again, a doctor has written of the importance of wearing masks to reduce the spread of the Omicron virus. Dr Hylton Le Grice (NZ Herald, July 18) has reiterated what has been said over and over again but even though free medical masks are now available it's doubtful that will make much difference.
It's really hard to understand why some people are still choosing to believe information regularly trotted out on social media by ill-informed people who are either down the rabbit hole of nonsense or are hopping around the edge.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
Waiting room
A national average of emergency department wait-times has risen from 270 to 287 minutes in the past year (NZ Herald, July 18).
Given the enormous and increasing pressures experienced by all parts of the health services at this time, I think an increased wait time of only 17 minutes is outstanding.
My thanks to all members of the health services - pre-hospital care ambulance staff, primary care services, and hospital staff - who are making a huge contribution to help manage this.
Your article also included criticism of Health Minister Andrew Little and the new health reforms. Those reforms are needed now - these changes, coupled with all current efforts to increase staffing as quickly as possible, will make for an improved health service for all.
Peter Huggard, Ostend.
