WHAT THE READERS SAID

TO increase productivity in Tasmania, many Mercury readers said removing transport disadvantage for rural and remote Tasmanians, and reducing disparity between the public and private health systems, were fairly or very important.

Almost 800 readers responded to our online survey about the issues facing our state and 57 per cent said removing transport disadvantage was either fairly important or very important, while 55 per cent said reducing disparity between the public and private health systems was either fairly important or very important.

Increasing the number of hours worked was the option with the least support — 14 per cent rated it as either fairly important or very important, and 53 per cent said it was not important.

Among readers’ comments:

“Productivity will only increase with first-class education linked to future job opportunities.”

“Housing affordability is ridiculous, with interstate and international buyers cleaning up and leaving little to be attained by younger generation Tasmanians — putting them at extra expense for long-term rental, regularly moving etc.”

“Reduce regional identification. The north/south divide is ridiculous.”

“The environment is our greatest asset. Big cities do not have the natural beauty that we enjoy and are polluted. We must protect our environment.”

“Tasmania has a 2 tier society, some of us are very comfortable, others are considerably marginalised. This is not the way to prosperity. Get rid of poker machines. Put public money into supporting people throughout life, not locking them up and victimising them. Build housing not jails. Increase affordable public transport to our dispersed population, not cutting services so Metro can break even. Provide support from preconception to death not a highly funded university. Provide educational and employment/mentoring options that support all kids, not mandatory sentencing.”

“Improve retention rates in schools and offer incentives to manufacturers on the NW coast.”

“Help migrants find jobs.”

“Affordable childcare.”

“Improvement in the quality of graduates from schools, TAFE and university so that decision making is improved and innovation becomes the norm.”

“Encourage early part time retirement for teachers nurses etc. Let them gradually cut back hours without penalising their super. They can then mentor younger staff and pass on experience not just leave totally.”