Dear editor,
The manic pursuit of introducing alternative energy sources by our SA Government (‘Hydrogen plant a $285m ‘fantasy’”, The Advertiser, 15 October) caused them to ignore the reality of the problems faced with producing hydrogen power and introducing it into our power network.
Obviously, the initial step in the government’s procurement process – evaluation – was not followed as the SA Government actually proceeded through to negotiating contracts and making the purchase of turbines.
It was well known that the fundamental problem with producing hydrogen lies in the laws of physics, as between 50 per cent and 80 per cent of the energy value of clean electricity is lost in the process of creating it and then burning it to generate electricity, making it currently financially unviable and unsustainable for both producers and consumers.
SA was not alone, as the hydrogen plant projects (CQ-H2) Queensland, PEM50 Australia and Shell’s plants in the US and the UK were also abandoned.
Pursuing an ideological dream over reality has once again led to taxpayers’ hard-earned money being wasted.
Ian Macgowan, Ceduna
Country ambulance crew vacancies
Dear editor,
I share the worry felt by both the Ambulance Employees Association and their members at the number of unfilled ambulance shifts across our state, with 136 vacant over one week.
The reality that some regional communities may often be left without ambulance coverage is deeply troubling.
Country patients deserve the same access to timely emergency care as those living in metropolitan areas.
I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our volunteer ambulance officers and career paramedics who continually go above and beyond to keep our communities safe.
Their dedication is remarkable, but it should not come at the cost of exhaustion or burnout.
It is time that more respect is shown to our volunteer ambulance officers.
They are qualified, experienced, dedicated …and local – they know the roads and they know each other, which matters in a crisis.
Premier Malinauskas must act with more urgency to address rural workforce shortages in health to guarantee that every South Australian, no matter their postcode, can expect the same standard of healthcare when they need it most.
Penny Pratt, shadow minister for regional health services
