City needs work

WATCHING TV on Monday, I was appalled at the meeting called by the negative opponents for no high-rise for Hobart. Why do these aged protesters want to keep Hobart at a standstill? Most of these people have, or would have, a job and a nice lifestyle. Please give those Hobartians who don’t have a job the same chance for a quality life ... being able to provide for their children and keep a roof over their heads. doing all within our power to avoid this scenario.

Julie Bishop brushed off North Korea’s latest threats for Australia for continuing to work with the US. However, the Turnbull Government’s failure to take a more independent stand in our foreign policy and involvement in yet another US-led war will not make us any safer.

Justice for West

LIVING in Western Australia, I would be really interested to understand the position taken by the Tasmanian Premier that the GST allocations for the various states is acceptable when WA receives only 34 cents out of every dollar raised in WA while Tasmania receives $1.80.

Tasmania and South Australia defend this situation so vigorously, perhaps there are some other considerations that I have not taken into account and I would really welcome any clarification.

I have no issue with sharing the bounty from the GST generated in WA but the current allocation does not seem to be remotely fair and is having a real impact on West Australians. I would also like clarification on the recent statement by the Tasmanian Treasurer regarding WA “putting it’s hand out to take other states share of the GST” when we are talking about GST raised in WA, not in Tasmania. I would not expect Tasmanians, or indeed any other state, to accept a situation where for every dollar raised in their state 66 cents goes interstate.

I am confused about and would also welcome an explanation regarding the notion that WA is somehow being “propped up” by asking that more of the funds raised in the state stay in the state. I have no wish to see people from any state being disadvantaged and I certainly don’t wish to see West Australian interests put in front of any other state but I would like to see our interest put on par with other states.

I am saddened by the interstate insults that have been appearing in the media recently (including those from WA politicians) and would genuinely like to understand the position taken by the Tasmanian Premier on the GST issue. I understand that premiers are trying to get the best outcomes for their states but I would also hope they have a national perspective. If there is a valid argument for the current situation, it is important that this is clearly and respectfully communicated to the people of WA as it’s very hard, from our perspective, to see any justice.

Let the show go on

SO the future of the Launceston Show is in doubt, one reason being that numbers of attendees are down.

Another reason, which surfaced last week, was that we have, in our generosity, given the showground area to UTAS to extend its empire.

Now here’s a radical thought. Maybe the university could “give” the show society the land it now holds at Newnham. There is plenty of room, plenty of parking and, as we taxpayers have given UTAS prime land in the city, surely it wouldn’t hurt the powers that be in UTAS to reciprocate our generosity. A lasting legacy for the vice-chancellor who is leaving for Adelaide.