Don’t make the same mistakes
STATE POLITICS
AS an American living in Hobart, I grieve each time I hear news of another mass shooting in the US. I look to Australia as a prime example of what is possible in preventing gun violence. I understand that some have proposed weakening the gun laws in Tasmania. I hope this will not happen. I would hate to see Australia make the same mistakes my country has made. sufficient. The Basslink cable is nothing less than a white elephant. Now there are talks of a second cable. The failure of the cable in 2015 plunged Tasmania into an energy crisis, costing the government an estimated $180 million to secure the power supply. Feasibility studies will cost $20 million. Revenue is going to mainland Basslink and not our own people. In a similar fashion the Federal Group is taking millions from the state through poker machines we have a cable taking millions more. No wonder people are living in tents at the showgrounds and our hospital constantly struggles with bedblocks.
Work on our goals
THE Editorial “Let’s all not fear growth” raises issues worthy of discussion ( Mercury, March 23). Has robust community discussion described what it is about our lifestyle and our environment both built and natural that we want to perfect? If governments don’t know what our goals are, how can the community, developers and authorities work together to achieve them? When we are clear about how we want Tasmania to grow and change, then we can decide when it is OK to say no and enact laws to support these decisions. that such a democratic gesture from this government is highly unlikely. People who have voted Liberal have gasped in dismay when they realised they had voted for gun laws. Farmers know there are many ways to cull animals. Look what happened to the poor little bunnies on Alexandra Battery. None left and not a single shot fired. I suspect the powerful gun lobby, SIFA has much to answer for, including Federal Liberal Peter Dutton’s proposal on gun laws. That group is driven by Robert Nioa, Bob Katter’s son-in-law and has contributed to Queensland’s election on behalf of increasingly wealthy Australian gun importers. When are we to be given a list of financial contributors to the Liberal Party in this election?
Silence deafening
THE election was one month ago yet inaction and rhetoric continues. To add further insult parliament is not planning to sit until May. Perhaps we should have an administrator in the interim, at least that would give a glimmer of hope for those awaiting housing. The health and hospital situation cannot continue or it will surely collapse. As for answers to peak hour traffic chaos, the silence is deafening.
Our forestry industry, such a valuable resource, is being allowed to be wasted, mismanaged and exploited by bureaucratic bungling. Pleas for the upgrade of the road to Dover fall upon deaf ears. The promise of a four-lane Midland Highway by Will Hodgman in 2008 should have alerted us to the fact this government cannot deliver on its promises.
Pay later
LOVE the juxtaposition of stories. On page 2 the headline “Dentistry waiting list hits new high”; on page 3 two young boys behind a mountain of Easter eggs and other lollies ( Mercury, April 2). Perhaps they should get their names on the waiting list now just in case?
Repurpose Spirits
RELOCATING Spirit 1 or 2 to Macquarie Wharf for the winter would solve both the accommodation and the hospital shortages in Hobart? An added bonus would be the availability of diesel-electric motors as a back up generator for the Tasmanian grid. The temporary solution might prove so effective that we convert a cruise liner into a permanent hospital ship and floating hotel in the heart of the city with ready access from land, sea and air.
Nuisance call
ON Tuesday I got a new scam. The woman with a strong accent blabbed on, then quoted my phone number. She said I had a lot of nuisance calls, and I could register to stop them. When I said how much: No madam, not a week or a month, but $79 for the year. I hung up. Many years ago a Telstra watchdog with an Australian voice did ring me because of nuisance calls. Telstra got in first at no cost. Buyer beware.
Ponting top choice
TASMANIA’S much-loved champion and highly decorated cricketer Ricky Ponting would have to be an outstanding choice as Australia’s new coach ( Mercury, April 5).