Drawn into yet another conflict
PM Turnbull acts with indecent haste to commit Australia to military action against North Korea. Why are we being forced to sacrifice Australian lives to support a man-child who, through his own monumental incompetence, has painted himself into a diplomatic corner where military action is the only option. With a fundamentally unstable, unpredictable President in place, the ANZUS Treaty is a one-way conveyor belt to our involvement in yet another conflict not of our making. William Dawson
South Hobart
Consultation missing
DESPERATE for funds and support, our high school educators and all families of students with special needs in our compulsory years of schooling should demand Minister Rockliff explain why he made a decision to boost the early childhood and care sector by the $4.9 million a year allocated to the compulsory education sector without consultation. This is within two days of him finding out 76 per cent of Tasmanians oppose lowering the voluntary school starting age. Many would like to know what his new plan is.
Terry Polglase
Lindisfarne
THA folly
STEVE Old and the Tasmanian Hospitality Association have been party to creating the environment where hospitality and retail jobs are less attractive to potential employees. It wasn’t long ago the THA was happy to support the notion that hospitality and retail careers were second class and should have weekend penalty rates reduced, while nurses, police, firefighters and others were first class and deserved to have their penalty rates quarantined. Sometimes we reap what we sow.
Simon Kendrick
Berriedale
Tied up in cable
DOCUMENTS recently released in response to a request for information in relation to communications between minister Groom’s office and Mount Wellington Cableway Company since March, 2014, reveal the proponents of the cable car pressured the Government to move the project forward on the company’s behalf.
In March, 2016, Christian Rainey, the MWCC company secretary, writes that the company is concerned that there is “significant momentum being lost” and asks Minister Groom to urgently update the “status of the process determination”. In August, 2016, the Government responded by attempting to make the cable car a Project of State Significance. When in February, 2017, John Perry, the Co-ordinator-General, determined the project should not be considered of state significance, and that it should follow the normal planning process, the Government chose to introduce the Mt Wellington Cable Car Facilitation Bill 2017. This Bill will introduce legislation to enable private commercial development by MWCC on Wellington Park public land. The Co-ordinator-General refused to release any details of his assessment of the cable car project, so it can only be surmised it did not meet the criteria to be considered state significance.
The MWCC project was launched in April, 2014. The proponents have had three years to submit a development application, but have not. Failure to submit this DA is the only thing stopping the project being advanced through the planning process. The proponent’s unwillingness to follow the process and impatience to push the project forward has raised concern about perceived conflicts of interest in the Government.
This project poses a significant threat to the Tasmania brand, the environment, and Aboriginal heritage. The social, environmental and opportunity costs will far outweigh the financial benefits if any.
Ben Jones South Hobart
Council priorities
I READ Alderman Christie’s recent letter about our city’s friendships with other cities with interest. It is 2017, not the 1960s and ‘70s. While the relationships may have been relevant then, they should not now be prioritised to an extent that requires five councillors to travel to another country for what are essentially nostalgic reasons. History is important and we need economic, cultural and educational links, but I don’t think this is the best use of our city’s resources.
It’s nice to think delegations from other countries like to visit Hobart, but just because they reciprocate the invitation doesn’t mean we have to accept. Delegations don’t pay rates or parking meter fees and they don’t pay for improvements to our parks. Hobart has about 24,000 ratepayers. It is a small city compared to many Japanese, Italian and Chinese cities where many more ratepayer contributions could reasonably support these altruistic relationships. We can’t. There are too many priorities deserving of funding. I call on all five councillors to cancel this trip and apply the funding set aside for it to those things our city really needs.
Deborah Stewart
West Hobart
Fix the road
THE Government and some of its agencies need to get real about the road to Lake Dobson at Mt Field. The recent issues of failures and closure are the result of doing nothing for years. Treasurer Gutwein has spouted nonsense and ignorance on this. It is now nine years since I decided not to lead walks dependent on this road or ask walkers to use it for access because of its old, unstable alignment, its narrowness, its poor sight lines and its poor maintenance. It is simply hazardous. Driving it is a tense experience for many. Passing has worsened as vehicles have become bigger and heavier. No wonder it failed, but this is nothing new. A widened surface would be a good start, even if it means grading off a few ferns or small trees. A complete fix may take years and a regular budget item to do all the work. Get started now.
D.E. Leaman
Claremont