Christine Weatherhead, Glen Waverley Let's hear from Chief Scientist The federal government's Climate Change Authority is supposed to provide "independent expert advice" on climate change mitigation initiatives, but its recent report Towards a climate policy toolkit ignores the very clear expert advice of David Karoly, its only climate scientist member. Together with Dr Clive Hamilton, Professor Karoly says the report "makes recommendations that are not soundly based on climate science". If that is the case, then the authority has failed in its duty to the government and to the Australian people. I would be interested to hear what our Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel has to say about this. Guy Abrahams, Richmond

'Believer' Greg Hunt stands condemned The international Climate Transparency Group's report Brown to Green rates G20 nations on their response to the climate change threat. The report rates Australia's performance as the worst of all 20 nations. Greg Hunt must take a big share of the blame for this disgraceful situation. As the environment minister from September 2013 to July this year, he put his name and lent his authority to a series of decisions by the Coalition that systematically weakened Australia's response to the impending crisis. Furthermore, he did so not as a climate sceptic, but as someone who understood well the nature of the threat and the consequences of his actions and inactions. Peter Lynch, Kew The PM is no innovator Malcolm Turnbull wants to be known as an innovator but is turning his back on the most important innovation needed this century – clean energy for a world threatened by the disastrous consequences of old "fossil" energy. By cutting $1 billion in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, he is telling the world that Australia is not interested in leading the way to a future powered by safe renewable energy. How shortsighted, given that Australia probably has the world's best chance of capturing the vast energy available from the sun and wind. We have some of the world's leading scientists and the infrastructure and wealth needed to develop the required technology. But the signals from this government threaten to undermine this advantage. The world of the future is going to be powered by clean energy. We must not waste this chance by bowing to the ideological ratbags who can't see beyond the immediate dollar signs.

Keith Burrows, Fairfield THE FORUM No notion of ethics Bill Shorten has declared he will not remove Sam Dastyari from the shadow ministry for having had a personal debt paid by a Chinese business. In 1982, Michael MacKellar and John Moore resigned over an imported TV set. What would it take for Mr Shorten to take that step? Senator Dastyari must know "there is no such thing as a free lunch" or a free debt repayment. The group making the payment must have expected something. Dastyari should lose his shadow ministry not because of the perception of impropriety, but because of the sheer stupidity of accepting the payment. And by not sacking Dastyari, Shorten is displaying the same degree of stupidity.

The public is sick of politicians doing questionable things, but even more sick of them being excused by their leaders. How about showing some ethical standards? Oh, sorry, we are talking about politicians. How would they know what ethical conduct is? Danny Cole, Sunbury But look over there Which is more morally reprehensible? Dastyari's acceptance of payments from a Chinese business or the government's refusal to discuss the issue of political donations by insisting this single incident is the real issue? John Taylor, Cobram

Brighten up our day I am sure for their office upgrades, politicians deserve to have a sum of money equal to that which the average worker spends to put a house on a block of land (The Age, 6/9). I, on the other hand, sit in an office that has not had so much as a coat of paint or change of carpet since 1990. But then, I only work in the public hospital system and minister to patients with chronic medical conditions whose lives never need brightening up. Evelyn Wilkins, Watsonia Show some patriotism Aha, the word "patriotism" has finally made it into print, but unfortunately it was not uttered by an Australian (The Age, 6/9). While Xi Jinping and others push Chinese sovereignty, we Aussies seem in a hurry to give away our nation.

Over the years, so many Australians have died for their country. Now patriotism is a dirty word in the realm of free trade, along with protectionism and racism. Patriotic Australians want our elected leaders to represent us, mindful of trade deals and opportunities, but always with the larger picture of Australian interests in mind. John Marks, Werribee PM still doesn't get it Mr Turnbull's statement at the G20 Summit that the rise of populist politics and protectionism was due to the unprecedented changes in the scale of the global economy brought on by digital disruption and globalisation reveals a lack of understanding. What is driving populism and protectionist sentiment is the fact that the benefits of globalisation are overwhelmingly going to the top 1 per cent of the population. This is exacerbated by Liberal Party policies, which entrench advantage accorded to high income earners and the top end of town while whittling away benefits going to middle and low-income earners. To continue with such policies will further embolden populist sentiments in the electorate.

Garry Meller, Bentleigh Careers of psychopaths Astonishingly absent from David Tuffley's list of the psychopath's preferred career paths is politics (Comment, 5/9). Where are ruthless callousness, mendacity and nerveless hypocrisy more richly rewarded? One can only assume that pollies are listed under the top-ranked "CEO" category for such qualities. A Twitter competition during parliamentary question time might at least engage the public's appetite for primitive blood sports. John Hayward, Weegena, Tas Power without the will

Two young primary school children in Bali, concerned about plastic refuse spoiling their island and polluting the ocean, successfully campaigned to have Bali declared a plastic bag-free zone (Good Weekend, 3/9). Meanwhile, in Australia, every government has a minister for the environment; an MP with political power. We also have waterways that are polluted with non bio-degradable plastic refuse that is eventually flushed into the ocean. It is pointless having political power if there is no political will. Isabel and Melati Wijsen could teach us a thing or two about passion and motivation. Jane Oldfield, Caulfield Thrown on scrapheap After a number of years in the red Qantas has made a substantial profit. As a consequence CEO Alan Joyce is being paid $13 million – what many would think an obscene amount of money, even by the standards of Australian executives' salaries. Perhaps he could do something to help all those many hundreds of Qantas workers in heavy engineering, call centres and other areas whose jobs were outsourced overseas. After all, this profit was built on their backs. Tony Healy, Balwyn North

A Catch-22 lesson Perhaps Dick Smith management was inspired by the character Milo Minderbinder in Catch-22 who was able to buy eggs for 7c, sell them for 5c, and make 2c profit ("Dick Smith's bizarre retail practices", 6/9)? Kim Smith, Hughesdale Hoping we forget Henrie Ellis (Letters, 6/9), the Liberal Party powerbrokers are clearly banking on us not remembering Matthew Guy's dubious performance as planning minister. Otherwise, how could he be installed as party leader and potentially our next premier?

Tony Ralston, Balwyn North Skills go to waste I have read voraciously the articles and letters about teaching over the past month or so. While I agree with much of what has been put forward, one side is rarely discussed. That is – many trained teachers, experienced and newbies, who simply cannot get the jobs for which they are qualified and passionate about. Even getting put on what used to be called the relief list (I'm showing my age!) is a subjective exercise on the part of schools. I have two committed and principled grandsons, one primary trained who could not get a position after taking a year off to further his qualifications; the other a secondary teacher trained in a range of areas including drama. The older one now works outside the profession, ensuring his strong rapport with young children has been lost to schools. The younger one has not been able to get a foot in the door. If the industry better used existing resources we would not be needing yet more graduates, and maybe they would not burn out so quickly.

Wendy Gibson, Barwon Heads Equal to the best Now some good news. At the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, David Smerdon, Australia's highest-ranked player drew with Magnus Carlsen, the world chess champion.Go Australia. Jane Washington, Frankston Abolish care fee limits

Recent carnage in the share price of aged care companies seems to suggest that restrictions on maximum charges for approved care recipients are biting. For more than 40 years the Commonwealth has limited the fees that aged care operators can charge. Subsidies for payroll tax have been eliminated, and funding for nursing care has been reduced with no capacity for operators to make up the shortfall. This is a serious case of "unconscionable conduct". The Commonwealth sets high standards and yet limits the fees paid without regard for viability, market forces that would underpin an increased bed supply, or consumer choice and quality. The aged care industry needs serious reform embracing increased competition and the abolition of fee control to encourage the building of new modern facilities. Child care fees are not controlled; why should aged care be any different? Graeme Croft, director, Innovative Care Scary rise in cruelty The rate of animal cruelty in Victoria has escalated again, with complaints rising from 10,780 in 2014-15 to 12,022 in 2015-16. Some 1345 cases involved beating or wounding of animals.

Animal abusers are cowards. Those who tend towards violence often use animals as "practice" victims. Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals often go on to commit violent acts against fellow humans. A study by Dr John Clarke, psychology lecturer and consultant to NSW police, used police data to show that 61 per cent of convicted animal abuse offenders had also committed an assault, with 17 per cent were guilty of sexual abuse. Most disturbingly, animal abuse was a better predictor of sexual assault than convictions for homicide, arson or firearms offences. Only 1 per cent of animal cruelty offenders had no other convictions. The world's most notorious serial killers have long, documented histories of harming animals. Cruelty to animals in Victoria carries a penalty of up to $74,620 or two years' jail. These penalties need to be increased and applied rigorously. Furthermore, if you suspect someone of abusing an animal, report it to authorities right away, for the safety of the entire community. Claire Fryer, campaigns coordinator, PETA Australia AND ANOTHER THING...

Politics As the main function of Parliament is to legislate, it seems logical that lawyers become MPs. They have the necessary expertise (Letters, 6/9). Michael Jongen, Pascoe Vale Malcolm and Scott, cut the poverty Newstart allowance when you cut your parliamentary perks and lurks. Stephen Bickell, Mt Evelyn

Never thought Alan Jones and Sam Dastyari would have so much in common. Les Anderson, Woodend With our politicians proving to be so inept, I'm wondering if we still need them. Think of the money we'd save. Diane Jenkins, Caulfield They say travel broadens the mind. Let's hope this is the case for Senator Bernardi.

Dinah Beale, Tyabb Good heavens. Cory Bernardi and Donald Trump in the same hemisphere at the same time. Marie Nash, Balwyn Since when has increasing the money given to private schools equalled improved outcomes for state schools? Susan Mahar, Fitzroy North

Trickle-down doesn't work in education either. Geoff Witten, Lower Plenty Elsewhere Just when did we get so greedy as a nation that we need to have an argument with East Timor over the Timor Sea? Wake up, Australia. Duncan Reid, Flemington

The Comm Bank should be renamed The Con Bank. Trevor Meyer, Hastings The free traders have conned us all. Malcolm McDonald, Burwood Poker machines can't be deceptive (The Age, 5/9). They are designed to take your money.

John Groom, Bentleigh So $11.5 billion was lost nationwide on the pokies last year (6/8). Does anyone still doubt that our true national "sport" is gambling? Tris Raouf, Hadfield