FEDERAL POLITICS

Hullabaloo over simple equity

ALL this hullabaloo over GST equalisation and how poorly Western Australia has been treated. We should re-establish the principles behind equity and the fact that all states belong to one nation, Australia. If WA considers itself hard done by receiving less in return per GST dollar than other states and demands a bigger return, are they in turn prepared to share the largesse from the mineral boom days and their continuing financial advantages from mining? Do the vast mineral resources of Australia belong to all Australians or just those who happen to live in that state? Surely any redistribution of tax dollars should ensure all Australians share the same standard of living with regard to public services such as roads, hospitals and schools.

GST set to rise

I WONDER if the Federal Government and Treasurer Morrison think we are all gullible idiots. It is great that the states are getting higher GST payments. The only catch is that the increased payments are more than the Government collects in the GST. They won’t tell us where the extra money is coming from. I hope I’m not the only person to realise that this is a backdoor method of increasing the GST. After the next election, whatever party wins will suddenly discover they do not have the funds to cover the increased payments. They will lumber us poor, long-suffering voters with an increase in the GST. Needless to say there won’t be any increase in wages or pensions to cover it.

Coal last century

AGAIN it appears the Coalition will allow Pauline Hanson to dictate government policy, this time on something as critical as energy and wasting our money on new coal power plants. This is 2018 not 1918. Coal is last century’s technology. And clean coal is a cynical myth. Since all the evidence says there are far more jobs and economic and social benefits from renewable energy, and that it’s cheaper and better for business, why is the Government so stuck in the past on this.

Dump Paris Agreement

IT probably was not understood when we signed the Paris Agreement that we are at a serious disadvantage to just about all other G20 countries because they are well populated and small compared to Australia. We now know injecting too many unreliable generators has serious consequences which the others will not experience because they have robust networks not only internally but also with neighbouring countries. We should pull out of the agreement and offer to sign up to an agreement with lesser emissions reductions to reflect our unique situation.

Try wrestling unaided

FOR some time our nation has seen the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer and the sick getting sicker. The rich enjoy better health care and their children more and better education. Taxation, rates and A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. the economy don’t improve public services, but, rather, squeeze them. Workers lose their jobs as companies seek to “rationalise” their businesses. Dr Edward de Bono devised many ways of solving problems with solutions that are simple but right on target. What might a de Bono solution look like? For starters a rule that politicians at all levels, immediately on taking office, cancel their private health insurance, access dental and other health services only through Medicare, send their children to public schools and do all their travel on public transport. Next, company directors who vote for bonuses for CEOs and concomitant redundancies for workers must then live for a month on unemployment benefits — that would be after wrestling unaided with Centrelink procedures and paperwork. I’d like to see the ensuing scramble to really improve public services and business practices.

Enough space for all

BOAT people have every right to enter Australia. It’s a vast land with plenty of space. Did you ever think it’s quite simple. Re-elect someone who is willing to address the tough issues. Stand up for what’s right again in Australia, and commit to developing a relationship with Manus Island, Christmas Island and Papua New Guinea and the original custodians of this country, the Aboriginal people. We can’t just ignore this problem. We have an obligation and right to fix this. Please do something before we all become prey to North Korea. And the US.

Why listen to road advice?

WHY would the State Government listen to any input from the Hobart City Council concerning how to manage our two major city roads because the HCC has had years to improve traffic congestion and simply done nothing.

Flare-up of old disease

SORRY Taz, I know it will be hard to take, but all your latest symptoms suggest that the old disease we hoped was behind you is on the verge of flaring up again — in another place (“Mill’s big truck traffic”, Mercury, July 6).

All advertising good

SURELY free speech is a cornerstone of freedom and democracy. I support Ron Christie’s right to express his point of view. And I thought all advertising was supposed to be good advertising. Others have also expressed concerns that Hobart develops in the right way.

Disgraceful road

LORD Mayor Ron Christie should concentrate more on his responsibilities to tourists driving into Hobart along the Brooker Highway. Domain maintenance, weedy footpath and rubbish strewn along the footpath are a disgrace. Many country towns show greater pride. Lift your game, HCC.

Saying it like it is

GREAT letter Nevin Hurst (Letters, July 5)! Nice to see the low-life given their correct titles instead of the mealymouthed politically correct monikers. GPO Box 334, Hobart, Tas 7001

mercuryedletter@themercury.com.au (03) 6230 0711 Letters should be no more than 200 words. They must be signed and must include name and address for publication and a telephone number for verification. Letters to the Editor are submitted on condition that Davies Brothers Pty Ltd, as publishers of the Mercury, may edit and has the right to licence third parties to reproduce in electronic form and communicate these letters. Emails must be plain text and not contain any formatting or graphics. Quick Views letters should be less than 50 words.

MAIL: EMAIL: FAX: NO ATTACHMENTS.