Look to Paris for inspiration

THE proponents of conversion of the Treasury Building to the dedicated art gallery which Hobart lacks should look at the very successful conversion of a Paris railway station to the world-famed Musee D’Orsay art gallery, second only to the Louvre in reputation. There is no doubt that such a project would be a tremendous asset to our state, certainly far more valuable than yet another hotel, and it is interesting to note that this was just the option that was being canvassed for the Paris railway station before a far-sighted French politician stopped it.

Aim high

THE Liberal Party has not set a target to increase the retention rate from the present 73.4 per cent to 75 per cent by 2022 ( Mercury, December 4). It has set 75 per cent as the target for the rate at which our young people graduate from high school with their Tasmanian Certificate of Education. According to data from the ACER report, that would bring Tasmania up to the Australian average. Whether students are retained, and in what system — colleges or high schools — is an input. What the students achieve is the outcome. Our education policy should be focused on outcomes, not inputs. When we do that, it is clear that it is the government sector that needs to do the heavy lifting to achieve the target. Less than half the Year 10 students in our government high schools go on to achieve their TCE. The worst outcomes are in disadvantaged urban areas. This is the outcome we need to change. Preserving the way we do things now is unconscionable. want to say a huge thank you to Mr Boon for having the courage and respect for us swimmers and for responding positively to our moment of magic in the presence of nature’s God-given beauty.