John speaks with Michelle Manook about the realities of Australia’s energy system, the misconceptions driving policy, and the widening gap between ideology and practical national interest. Manook explains why technological advances in sustainable coal production, including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and High Efficiency Low Emissions (HELE) power plants, make coal a legitimate energy option for our future. The discussion urges Australians to re-examine the assumptions embedded in net zero narratives, the economic risks posed by unreliable power, and the strategic necessity of maintaining a diverse and resilient energy mix. This is a grounded, forward-looking discussion about how nations sustain prosperity and stability in an increasingly uncertain world. Michelle Manook is Chief Executive of FutureCoal. Previously, she was Head of Strategy, Government and Communications for Europe, Asia and Africa for the multinational company Orica, based in Perth, Australia.