Memorial to other victims
CONGRATULATIONS to Peter Boyer on his interesting article about bringing the “hidden war of dark colonial history into the light” (Talking Point, June 26). He comments that this history is not told in our national war memorial. The objectives of the Australian War Memorial are to commemorate Australians who died in war and to understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring effect on society. The history of the frontier wars between European settlers and indigenous people are documented. We are still coming to terms with the effects and to commemorate those who lost their lives and land is important for us all.
It is time for this struggle to be considered again for inclusion in the war memorial. As Peter Boyer writes, Australia was not an empty country in 1788, and indigenous Australians did not give up their lands without resistance. Failure to formally acknowledge this must be an impediment to reconciliation. There has been discussion about acknowledging those in the services turning back refugees from our shores at the war memorial. Are we fighting a war against refugee “boat people” now, but didn’t fight a war whilst dispossessing the original inhabitants of our country? Hobart and Launceston? Unfortunately, if the tourists “leave us alone” and give us back our lifestyle, as Ron Christie and some others are saying, it will be back to the slowbart that everyone made fun of, and UTAS will own the city. We need better infrastructure, people, not infighting.
Develop the world sport
I IMAGINE most Australians would be disappointed in our team not progressing to the World Cup round of 16, although we certainly tried our hardest. Imagine future world cups where we expect to progress and have a realistic chance of reaching the final stages. But let’s remind ourselves we’re talking of a proper world cup in the top global world sport — we’re competing against the best in the whole world! We need serious investment in facilities and player development. Let’s play our part in Tasmania by vigorously developing our training and ground facilities and supporting the game and local players. Let’s push for Tasmanian-based clubs playing at the highest level (eg A-League) with at least the same energy and community commitment as we’re doing with the AFL.
Bikie law won’t help
YOUR editorial suggests that by banning gang colours, it will stop some members distributing ice and committing criminal acts. I put it to you that if some are breaking the law now, banning them wearing colours will not make one iota of difference. They will carry on regardless, only difference will be you just can’t see them now, like any other criminal. Laws already exist to arrest anyone breaking them, so why spend millions of dollars introducing a law that will not alter the distribution of drugs, especially when statistics show that bikies commit less than 0.5 per cent of crime overall in Australia.
Ratepayers wronged
I AM bemused to read Glenorchy residents will now only be slugged with a 12.5 per cent rates rise instead of the mooted 20 per cent. I am sure the intent was to state a 20 per cent rise and to later amend this to 12.5 per cent, expecting ratepayers to be grateful. No one is fooled by this often used ploy. It is simply wrong that ratepayers are expected to foot this huge bill. It is increasingly impossible to have faith that powers-that-be are acting in the best interests of their constituents.
Send students north
A UNIVERSITY study into Mona benefiting the Glenorchy area? Surely our university has more productive things to do. If it is that concerned about the area, perhaps building student accommodation in the northern suburbs rather than clogging up the CBD would help.