Have these “critics” been asked why they think the use of John Monash’s name is being “misused”? If everyone was asked to explain why they believe what they say they believe, they probably would not be able to come up with a coherent answer, and a lot of pointless, tiring discussion could be avoided.

The fact that the man “ …. was the leader of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, which built the state's electricity system on the back of brown coal from the 1920s onwards” alone seems to be a good reason why he should be honoured by a group trying to get back to common sense on coal.

It’s a great pity that we do not have any John Monashes now. But the mere fact of having his name evoked gives some hope for the future, despite the really little people deindustrialising and ruining Australia now.

ttbn,
>...a good reason why he should be honoured by a group trying to get back to common sense on coal.
Correct, but they're not trying to get back to common sense on coal - they're just trying to spruik it.

Monash was among other things a forward-looking thinker and shared so little in common with those who would ride on his coattails. To be an absurd use of his accomplishments and record.

Were this logical and rational thinker with us today, He'd probably tell Howard's group of ultra-conservatives. to F off.

Forget steam age coal and embrace cheaper cleaner safe nuclear. And given his progressive forward thinking. As MSR thorium.

Not for nothing was he considered a fine engineer but first among equals as one of our Generals!
Alan B.

I find the argument "esteemed historical figure favoured X, and therefore X is what we should do" profoundly unconvincing.

Arguments for what technology we should use to achieve any desired economic, environmental or societal outcomes need to stand on their own merits, not ride on the coat tails of an historical figure, even one as worthy as General Monash.

To put it another way, would the members of the Monash forum be promoting a move away from coal to renewable or nuclear power, had General Monash advocated for such a thing during his lifetime? I think not. For the members of the Monash Forum, the General is reduced to being a convenient prop to promote their entrenched views.

I think that our esteemed general would be much more disgusted at his name being associated with the behaviour of academics at a particular Victorian university, than anything the Monash group are likely to do.