Pokies harm
In 2012-13, I wanted to see Hobart City Council do whatever was in our power to reduce the harm of pokies in Hobart suburbs. Every week, $165,000 was lost on the pokies in hotels across the Hobart local government area. Unfortunately, Federal and Tasmanian Hotels Association’s lobbying was successful, and the attempt to limit harm minimisation voted down. The lost potential of businesses and communities to thrive continues: in 2015-16, Tasmanians lost $114.2m on pokies in pubs and clubs. Only 4 per cent went to the Community Support Levy. In June 2017, Tasmanians lost over $8.4m on pokies, excluding pokies losses at the two casinos. Of that, $414,000 was lost on Hobart pokies in pubs, whilst in Glenorchy over $1.5m (17.9 per cent) contributed to the Tasmanian loss of $8.4m. In one month. In 2018, State parliament has a golden chance to walk away from the pokies license agreement. Removal of pokies from pubs and clubs by 2023 would reduce crime, suicide
Federal Police push
ONCE again there is a necessary push for the Australian Federal Police to cover the Hobart airport, and once again the Federal Government is against the move, with Senator Eric Abetz saying it is unnecessary. Police Association president Pat Allen is pushing hard for the return of the AFP, and is backed by the State Government. The hierarchy of the Tasmania Police tell us there is nothing on the radar regarding security at the Hobart Airport, and that all is as well as can be expected. But perhaps there is one thing they and the Federal Government are not considering. A smart enemy hits you precisely where you least expect it.
Nuclear alarm
THE cost of a nuclear missile launch by North Korea is mind boggling. If we include the production, delivery systems and maintenance we could be looking at up to $3.2 billion this year alone. Each missile launch would be enough to feed the North Korean people, of 25 million, for up to five years. People’s lives are cheap in North Korea. The rhetoric and threats coming from president Kim Jong-un and North Korea are defiant of world opinion and are incurring harsher sanctions from the Western nations. American President Donald Trump is determined to fight fire with fire. With an option of military strikes on the table a nuclear war is imminent. How can we stop this madness?
Millions of innocent South Korean lives are at stake. The population of South Korea is about 51 million. Nearby Japan is now on alert with a huge population of 127 million. We must all hope and pray Kim Jong-un will come to his senses and President Donald Trump will chill out and solve this matter in a diplomatic manner. The stakes have never been so high. Nobody in their right minds wants a nuclear world war.
Boxing efforts
REGARDING the publicity boxing is enjoying (Letters, September 20). This request of $300,000 of government funds to stage a world title fight comes after many years of careful promotions by a small group of dedicated planners in delivering a champion product (boxer) through amateur and professional stages with a future target in mind, being a world champion fight in Tasmania. The result has been achieved through hard work and gives them the opportunity of using their world ranked position as a springboard towards a government grant. This fight may not witness an exodus of tourists travelling to Port Arthur but it will put this tiny island on the map which has to be a plus. Concerning the “murky world of pugilism”, John Briggs fails to mention the murky world of drug taking and financial grafts over the years in all sports.