Coulda been a contender
REBECCA White with the usual political rhetoric to be expected from desperate opposition members has greatly diminished any chance of Labor being a serious contender at the next state election. The majority have spoken and want the poker machines removed from clubs and hotels. They are anti-social in those environments and the skill required is about the same as the chances of winning: minute. The damage done to habitual users along with families and loved ones is taking a
You know what we think
REBECCA White’s two recent announcements are deeply disappointing. She wants to know what the community has to say about political donations before taking action. But the community has spoken: more than 90 per cent want donations capped and declared transparently as soon as practicable. We should not postpone action on the issue, which strikes at the heart of democracy. Secondly, she has abandoned her principled policy of restricting poker machines to casinos. It seems she would allow Liberal policies on gaming to continue until 2043 subject to “harm mini- Facilities and walking tracks at Remarkable Cave on the Tasman Peninsula to be upgraded Crescent Bay will become Wineglass v.2.
Freedom of speech
TOTALLY agree with Andrew Hejtmanek (Letters, February 2) regarding Sarah Courtney’s patronising attitude to the voter. “We make no apology for standing up for Tasmanians’ rights to go about their lawful business” really translates as ‘we make no apologies for denying Tasmanians the rights to freedom of speech” (Talking Point, January 31). Oh for some politicians, less autocratic and dictatorial, who still remember the freedom and rights of citizens in a democracy.
Flinders tributes
READER P. Newman says Matthew Flinders has not had enough recognition in Australia (Letters, February 12). So a university, a town, a mountain range, numerous islands, Melbourne’s main railway station and one of its main streets, streets in towns and cities all over the country, among lots of other things isn’t enough? Plenty, I reckon.