Dream big for ongoing wealth
STATE POLITICS
“DREAM Bigger” was the front page headline. I couldn’t agree more. Saul Eslake also encourages governments to think big and think bold ( Mercury, December 11). As to how that might be done, I couldn’t agree less. Rather than selling assets to fund infrastructure, I believe in dreaming, not small, but humongous. Think money is expensive now? Try borrowing it in 20 years. With many potential revenue streams on offer – Mt Wellington cable car project being just one – governments should be doing everything in their power to secure projects as revenue streams for future generations. Lazy governments often turn to short-term fixes. But why should private concerns benefit by developing cash cows for a few, often with the support of taxpayers in any case? Our governments need to beg, steal and borrow to secure revenue streams that will, in time, not only pay for themselves, but keep on giving. That requires bipartisanship and good governance. And that might just be the biggest dream of all. sales? Maybe the TasTAFE debacle with falling enrolments? How about Child Services? Perhaps secrecy and government cover-ups? We are probably headed for a hung parliament. Many countries operate quite well with parties working together in government and it could be successful here, given some degree of co-operation.
Reflect the mood
IT appears our State Government is not reading the mood of constituents. For example, 87 per cent of locals do not want an industrial fish farm at Okehampton Bay, according to a Mercury ReachTEL poll, neither do 48 per cent of Tasmanians and 52 per cent of voters in Lyons. Why would our government be spruiking a fish farm for the eastern side of pristine King Island, three months from a state election? A political death wish? already have more efficiently. Surely, the first port of call would be the health system where 50 per cent of expenditure is used to manage the system, with the remaining on doctors, nurses and consumables. In the meantime, I suggest we keep quiet. Tasmania is on a very good wicket.
Better beneficiaries
ON the lack of affordable housing in Tasmania being a damning legacy of this government (Letters, December 18): Those of us not affected really have no idea how desperate the situation has become. I was gobsmacked to read the Liberals have promised $1 million for a proposed ecolodge at Port Arthur. This to a successful couple with numerous other lodges. Boy, have we got our priorities wrong when hardworking Tasmanians are desperate for a roof over their heads while hardearned taxes are given to millionaires.
Early childhood key
IT’S easy to try to convince us that extending high schools to Year 12 and the abolition of colleges is the best way forward for increased retention and further education. How about addressing the real problem in education, early childhood. Teach the basics, including phonics, early on and don’t go down the path of past failures like rods and blocks, open-plan schools and similar “experiments”. If the basics are not understood by high school, then forget Year 12.
So much cheaper
JUST three lanes on a tidal flow highway is all that’s needed. Peak traffic is only morning and night. That’s the feasibility inquiry done, saved $600 million. How hard is it.
Stop celebrating
I CANNOT get over the idea that the rise and profits of house prices are celebrated. It is a shameful and dire situation for the next generation and current aspiring renters who now can only dream of owning a home. They will be at the mercy of private investors to have a roof over their head and help the landlord expand their portfolio and increase their wealth. Stop celebrating.
One law to rule them all
It is important that the law of the land be carried out, it is no excuse to say we must obey sharia law or canon law.
Christmas fuel prices
THE servos have done it again, prices of petrol up for Christmas. How do they get away with it?
Motorised bike danger
HOW much longer do residents of the Berriedale-Claremont area have to wait for action on motorised push bikes causing a hazard and danger on the bike track?