Zhengrong Shi, a former University of NSW photovoltaics researcher, failed to attract Australian Government support but, with the backing of $A6.3million from Chinese investors, now runs a Shanghai-based photovoltaic empire worth $7.6 billion, employing 8000 people (''Sun King casts shadow on solar solution'', July29, p1).

A former colleague of Dr Shi helped to design a vacuum tube solar hot water system, ideal for Australia, but getting no Australian Government or industry support is now manufacturing these systems by the million in China.

In yet another example, Professor David King from Sydney University developed a solar thermal technology prototype at the Liddell power plant in the Hunter valley. The results were so impressive that he predicted that if the project were expanded, Sydney could be powered by solar thermal power within three years.

The Iemma Government ignored the proposal, so Mills moved to California, where he developed the world's largest solar thermal power station, with the support of the governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

No doubt these lost opportunities were influenced by the power of the fossil fuel lobby, whose subsidies constitute the largest case of corporate welfare in economic history.

Instead of rabbitting on about emissions trading and providing disincentives to domestic photovoltaic installation, Australia's politicians should grasp the combined potential of abundant sunshine and scientific expertise to make us a world leader in solar technology for domestic use and export.

Bryan Furnass, Hughes

Haneef questions

Evidence presented to the Clarke Commission affirms that ASIO had no information related to the attempted Glasgow Airport attack or any ''terrorist plot'' in Australia.

One wonders where the fear, paranoia, and loathing that incarcerated Haneef for 26 days originated AFP? Immigration? Cabinet? PM? An abusive exploitation of Australia's anti-terrorism legislation, hastily forced through Parliament by the Howard administration.

Leaks, rumours, and innuendo from then-Immigration minister Andrews, AFP chief Keelty, and other government and law enforcement officials.

Was ASIO not consulted? Were ASIO's views discounted, discredited?

We invade Iraq based on ASIO's assessment and ignore ASIO's advice when it doesn't satisfy political needs?

What kind of a country is Australia becoming?

Judy Bamberger, O'Connor

Case for fixing law

It seems Qantas senior executives who planned their participation in the air-cargo price-fixing scheme from Sydney will successfully resist prosecution in the US (''Sick airline executive a scapegoat for bosses'', July 29, p5).

They're hiding out down here in Australia like dictators in some banana republic, because theirs was not sufficiently criminal behaviour in Australia to warrant extradition.

Why exactly doesn't Australian law treat anti-competitive conspiracies as criminal, like in the US?

It's important for efficient and equitable market outcomes that competition be enforced with jail time in small economies like ours, too, because pulling off anti-competitive conspiracies is easier with fewer market participants.

This is an area where Rudd Labor should reform our laws. It'd show his concern for prices facing working families, demonstrate Labor's distance from the cynical big-end-of-town, and make our economy work better.

Win, win, win.

Tom Waring, Ainslie