Change course for victory
STATE POLITICS
THE Libs have an enormous task ahead of them to gain a second term. A positive campaign focusing on the improved state of the economy and how it can be sustained is what is required, not what we witnessed on Pembroke. Why is it that top executives at places like Hydro and TasWater can basically set their own remuneration packages, perks and bonuses and when any of the workers who do the hard slog want a raise they are told there is no extra money. Workers are offered 2 per cent if they are lucky. Bills are increased leaving people to work out, will I feed the kids or pay the bills. No wonder executives put on a song and dance when someone tries to change ownership. When Premier Will Hodgman was asked about this, all he could say was, “Would it pass the pub test”. Well, no, Premier it would not and I am sure there would be many who could do these jobs for half the money. I get very disappointed especially after a conversation with an elderly lady in the supermarket who does not buy meat because of the cost and Sunday roast is a thing of the past. As far as TasWater goes, Labor started this and now the ever-increasing costs have come back to us. damage to Tasmania’s reputation, just when we seemed to have moved away from the two-headed tag, was the reported trashing of an endangered species’ habitat by “sustainable” timbers, presumably to sustain a small workforce who would be better employed in conservation. Why do governments bend over backwards to support an unsustainable industry when they have never cared about other great businesses that might have survived with a bit of help? When forestry workers could move into Parks and Wildlife, and forests on private land can provide timber, why are we allowing this waste to continue?
Convince voters
THE Premier throws up his hands and complains he will not be able to pass his legislation. Going by the record that may be no bad thing. If governments took the trouble to justify the benefits of their intentions convincingly they would have the force of the public on their side. They will never be able to achieve this with bombast and spin. I am still waiting for the transparency every party promises. run a strong positive campaign. I fear the price we will pay is another dysfunctional hung parliament.
Salaries obscene
THE Government’s proposed takeover of TasWater is vindicated after the article regarding salaries of top executives with increases of up to 16 per cent (Mercury, November 16). How can it be justified to receive just under half a million dollars a year when there are treatment plants that are non-compliant and water bills going through the roof. At best it is obscene.
Golf reputation shot
I LIKE Perry Como and golfers (Simon Bevilacqua, Mercury, November 11). The ageist stupidity that in essence said anyone who is old is unsuitable says it all. The members of the Lower Sandy Branch of the Liberal Party obviously think this also. Nothing is thought out properly and it’s all bubble factory nonsense, with no real effort to understand what the electorate wants. I notice the Liberal Party president rattled off that their strategy worked. I might remind him the Liberal candidate lost and if that was the strategy, well it was perfectly executed. After preference distribution the loss was quite large. Perry Como is a nice singer and I have lots of friends who play golf. Of course the Liberal Party now has impugned their integrity as golfers, and they are a hard lot.
You lost
SENATOR Abetz, it doesn’t matter how you try to juggle the numbers, or all the rhetoric you spout, your side lost. Get over it.
Right on refugees
THE do-gooders and the refugee advocates are both loud and clear; too loud. The silent majority applaud the Government’s position.
Big game
TWO Victorian AFL teams going head to head in the North and South will as a general rule attract a larger crowd as opposed to non-Victorian teams ( Mercury, November 17). “Ticket rush for Roos-Blues” will be bigger than Ben-Hur with two popular teams vying for premiership points.
Petty whinge
WHAT a bunch of whingers these green pests and some others are complaining about the new carpark ruining the scenery at the Neck Bruny Island. How petty can you be.
Something missing
WHAT a lovely view of the Neck carpark. Hang on, where’s the hotel?