Big Brother

I USED Google to search for specific items about the Labor Party and the Greens. First search result was an advert for the Liberal Party, the result of their expensive buying of space on what used to be an objective search engine. Maybe, next time if I use Google to search for the phrase, Liberal Party, I should type in “massive political donations” or “go buy a government. No wonder Google and Facebook are being investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission.

All the parties involved have shown a hatred for the foundation democratic principle of free speech. There is no greater bastion of free speech than the public bar of an Aussie hotel. Often brutally dissecting the latest idiocy by politicians. Also known as the pub test. Politicians don’t believe we should be allowed to speak so freely as they consider we are riddled with all sorts of isms and phobias. Hence a desire to get rid of such comment.

Traffic light woes

SOUTH Hobart residents seem to get a raw deal with traffic. Is it my imagination, or am I right in believing that the timing of the lights at the intersection of the Southern Outlet and Macquarie St has been recently adjusted to favour the Outlet? Local traffic can back up as far as Elboden St and beyond at any time of the day. Local residents have no choice when exiting the suburb to travel north or east. Please can the lights be adjusted to give us a fairer go.

Planning matters

WHY all this fuss about planning? It is because planning schemes determine what and where investors can build. However, good planning should capture a vision a community holds for itself. Tasmania has had planning rules handed down by the Planning Minister to fit 23 zones statewide. Few people were consulted about the changed rules, and there are worries about the lack of policy driving the reforms, lack of community-wide strategic planning and the weak, limited safeguards for heritage, building quality, wilderness, biodiversity, privacy and sunshine in our gardens.

We are hearing stories about big walls and apartments going up in established areas, overlooking and shadowing many homes and gardens. The community wants to get some balance back into planning. The quality of Tasmania’s built and natural environments is being placed at risk. Hobart city is at a critical point as we increasingly recognise building height, heritage, views and sunlight are valuable assets. Height amendments are currently being considered at the Planning Commission and the public wants clear, strong, unambiguous statements about what is allowed in the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme. It is critical to make the scheme workable and accepted by the majority.

Political donations

DRINK container deposits are a no-brainer. Why is it Tasmania still cannot enact legislation to keep our state clean? Could it be that political donations are being made to discourage the Liberal and Labor parties from passing this legislation?

Woodcutter policies

NIGHTLY during the Olympics, an ancient woodcutter implores me/us to “look after our pubs and clubs” by electing a Liberal government. Does the wily sage also have policies on health, education, justice, before I follow his advice?