We need toilets
YOU wouldn’t build a home, hospital, child care centre, parks, supermarkets, schools without toilets except in Bridgewater. Woolworths — toilet closed; Children’s park built without a toilet (should have been the first thing done). Service station, no toilet. Brighton Council obviously doesn’t think it is necessary. Toilets are needed now, not three months away. In the meantime port-a- Loos would be appreciated.
Rude reality
HOW rude of Martyn Goddard to bring us back to reality with a thump (Talking Point, November 29). The positive vibe of the Premier’s State of the State address (Talking Point, November 26) had left me with a warm inner glow, until Martyn reminded me our public health, education, transport and housing sectors and associated infrastructure are floundering due to a lack of strategic planning, and underfunded in order to achieve the vaunted short-term financial surplus that is meant to make us feel so good. Hopefully the Victorian election result will wake up our Liberal Government, or an alternative Labor government, to what Tasmanians expect. crowd of 24,968 (almost 25,000). The biggest crowd at York Park was between Richmond and Hawthorn (about 21,000). The Ricky Ponting cricket game drew 17,800 and the Hobart Hurricanes game drew 18,200 (a Tasmanian cricket record crowd). I guess this shows who really draws the biggest crowds. Just imagine if Tasmania had its own AFL team, it would easily smash those records. I will give you one thing Mick, Launceston gets the best cup crowds. Hobart can’t be good at everything, I suppose.
Carousel hold-up
AFTER waiting 40 minutes on Wednesday night for our baggage to arrive on the carousel at Hobart airport, I wonder how the airport will cope with the extra Qantas flights recently announced. This poor performance must make visitors question what sort of place they have arrived in. Every time I return with baggage to collect I wait longer here than anywhere in Australia. If we wish to create a favourable perception I think it is time to review the staffing levels and particularly as we only have two carousels to provide this service. injustice, and irony, involved in the Labor Party’s proposal is that while those with low taxable incomes will not get the cash refund they’ve in many cases become reliant upon, people with higher income will get it, via a reduction in their tax payable. It shook any faith I might have had in Labor advisers that they should propose such a un-Labor scheme when it was announced. Almost as surprising was that it took the Liberal Party about three days to work that out and pounce on this golden opportunity to highlight Labor’s stupidity.
Bring back pay link
SOME years ago Tasmanian teachers’ salaries were based upon an average of those paid in other states in what was called a nexus agreement. This was a fair compromise which protected the government from having to pay top salaries and protected teachers from receiving the lowest in the nation. This resulted in years of industrial peace and enabled teachers to concentrate on their incredibly important work without the distraction of industrial activity. With Tasmanian teacher salaries about 10 per cent below the national average, the current push for a mere 3 per cent rise seems extremely modest. It is most important that our children are taught by inspirational teachers who know their work is valued by the community and who delight to commit accordingly. A new nexus could achieve this.