Opinion Archives - New England Times Engage

Rail cheaper than trucks

26 minutes ago14 November 2025

Mal Peters says freight once arrived in Armidale by train, but government cuts shifted it to trucks and crumbling roads. He argues reopening the Armidale north rail corridor is vital for Australia’s freight competitiveness and environmental future.

Featured, Political, Something to Think About

When did ‘net zero’ become just another term for renewables?

2 days ago13 November 2025

RK Crosby says the term ‘net zero’ does not mean ‘renewable energy’ and we’ll continue to be stuck on these issues until we’re talking about the same thing.

Environmental

COP 30 Shaping Up as a COP-OUT

4 November 20252 November 2025

Jan Kleeman says after 30 years of talk, denial and failure to act, the planet is still heating fast. With COP30 ahead, she calls on world leaders to stop the net zero talk and start cutting fossil fuels now through real renewable energy action.

Political, Regular columns

Compassion, Not Cruelty, Should Guide Our Parliament

2 November 202513 November 2025

Denise McHugh writes the Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie are exploiting heartbreak for political gain.

Environmental, Opinion, Political

Barnaby’s Net Zero Rants: Right for the Wrong Reasons

27 October 202527 October 2025

Jan Kleeman says the idea of net zero has been hijacked – twisted from a scientific goal into political spin. Real climate action, she argues, means cutting emissions to zero now, not relying on future promises or unproven technology.

Political, Regular columns

We need to stop over-reacting to rumours and nonsense

26 October 20251 November 2025

RK Crosby writes that the reaction and over-reaction to a made up story about Barnaby and Hanson is not worthy of the New England.