Swinging voters the problem
STATE POLITICS
A READER asserts that swinging voters are a pretty smart lot (Letters, March 15). What rot — swinging voters are the problem! Almost by definition, swinging voters are so disengaged from the political process that they don’t know which party has long-term policies that best represent their interests. They are unqualified to judge the past performance of the sitting government because they didn’t care enough to notice the many policy failures, ministerial transgressions and dodgy deals. They base their vote on personalities and election promises, forgetting how few are actually delivered. As a result, political parties present candidates that are popular rather than capable, and they pork-barrel promises to attract the uninformed voter with short-term policies that ignore and compound long-term problems. If voters cared enough to engage in their own future, the political process and the state would be much healthier. A healthy democracy demands an informed electorate that is not vulnerable to gaming by vested interests. throwing away any fruit before continuing. I caught a brief glimpse but the driver, concentrating on the road, did not see it at all. It is hard to believe the Government is taking the risk to the fruit crops seriously when they apparently had endless funds to use on election publicity posters and yet had none to spare for a single poster about fruit fly. Surely this should have been a priority or were they too preoccupied with the election? Many of our tourists do not speak fluent English and would have little understanding of the necessity to comply with regulations to reduce this risk, especially when the only indication of this serious problem was one small rubbish bin on the edge of the highway.
Pollie pay cut
IF they increase the numbers of members of parliament from 25 to 35, I hope the members won’t mind the accompanying 40 per cent pay cut. was because it was leaked to the media on the eve of the State Election. Gun laws shouldn’t be the subject of last minute bargaining to chase a few votes. What Will Hodgman is proposing goes too far and could put Tasmania in breach of the National Firearms Agreement that all states and territories signed last year. John Howard brought the nation together. It’s time for Malcolm Turnbull to show some gumption and leadership and tell Will Hodgman there will be no watering down of our gun laws.
Integrity commission
INTERESTING to hear the hospitality industry has had its funding tripled by the newly re-elected Liberal government. Maybe it’s time we had a very robust integrity commission especially with regards to political donations.
No thanks
JUST received a welcome back voucher for $5 from Wrest Point saying, we have missed you, please present this voucher on your next visit. Probably all they could afford after all the millions given to the Liberals gaming policy. No, thank you.
Soaring
ONE of the few minds capable of understanding the Universe is now soaring through it. Soar on, Stephen Hawking.
Not sharing
PEOPLE complaining about how much Bill Shorten’s recently announced tax policy will hurt those on the “lowest incomes” don’t mix in very wide circles. They obviously have never met, or even heard of, those whose finances don’t stretch to them to affording a share portfolio.