Listening needed

I’M sure most of us would agree with Chris Needham when he looks forward for the opportunity to elect people who will listen to us (Letters, July 8th).

Like many other people he seems to expect this miracle will occur at the next election. Is this really likely to happen?

Regardless of the particular party to which they belong, politicians do the bidding of their party factions, having very little opportunity to do the things they promise to do while striving to be elected.

Though they may wish to put forward the programs which the people who elected them want, their chances of doing so are very remote unless these programs are in accord with party policy.

So I’m afraid that, election or no election, Chris will have to put up with the same type of politician mouthing the same platitudes and doing very little, if anything, to reflect the wishes of his or her constituents.

Why wasn’t he defending their role and importance to the minor species supply chain four year ago?

Why does he now champion the small sawmills and their right to rip into the forest when the industry loudly calls out there is no market for uncertified timber?

Why was the Liberal Party so deaf when the mills were being shut down and why are they so deaf now when the industry is pleading to leave the forest alone?

Why are they so out of touch with both the industry and the electorate yet still believe they speak on our behalf?

Tight timeline

THE Minister is correct: we do need to support our salmon workers.

However allowing Tassal — the biggest player in the market — to continue overstocking Macquarie Harbour and trusting them to sustainably manage an industrial fish farm at Okehampton Bay is no way to manage the industry.

I note also that the minister releases this new 157-page legislation with just a ridiculous two-week limit for public comment and written submissions.

I ask how serious is this government about listening to public sentiment, and addressing the earning of a social licence?

Let the people speak

SAME sex marriage is a very important issue, the legality of which is not solely the responsibility of politicians to decide.

Australia is a democratic country and every voter from any walk of life should have the right to vote for or against same sex marriage. Whatever the result may be, abide by the voters’ decision.

Simplify fares

DIVIDE Metro routes into two sections The inner section $1 fare the outer section $2 fare.

This would allow workers to access their place of work for $20, and $10 per week and at this rate I’m sure quite a few workers would be prepared to do some walking to catch the bus thus leaving their car at home. One full bus could take 25 plus cars of the roads.

Councils serviced by Metro could make a contribution to the costs plus the Government could add a small tax to road safety levy to cover costs.

Smoke hazard

ON July 3, I walked up to the top of Hilton Road and Arncliffe Road and gazed north and south. Haze filled the air.

I walk out of my front door early of a morning, the gully below my house is filled with smoke. I go to bed at night and have to close my windows because my house fills with woodheater smoke.

There are enough adverts in the Mercury asking to “Burn Brighter this Winter”.

But what use is that information when nobody heeds it?

It is the 21st century. We have found it cheaper and cleaner and more comfortable to install a heat pump.

And if possible install solar panels. In two years we have paid two or three hydro bills, the rest were credits.