Gone so terribly wrong

MARTYN Goddard’s article doesn’t pull any punches on the state of our troubled health system (Talking Point, February 20). But why oh why has everything seemingly gone so terribly wrong over the last I THANK Dick Smith for taking action. His advertisement says human population growth in Australia is unsustainable and we should be living in balance with nature ( Mercury, February 13). He says all political parties should have a population plan but that the topic is an elephant in the room. It isn’t the only elephant in the

Part-pensioners safe

IT is important to address misinformation about Labor’s policy to crack down on the tax loophole that gives a tax refund to people who reduce their taxable income to zero or don’t pay income tax. Clifford Smith can be assured that he and his wife will not lose their franked dividends under Labor’s policy if they are getting part-age pension (Letters, February 18). As partpensioners they will be protected by Labor’s Pensioner Guarantee. Labor understands times are tough for many pensioners and seniors under this Liberal Government. Healthcare costs are rising, energy prices are rising and wait-lists for home care packages have blown out. Labor’s tax reforms are reining in tax concessions that overwhelmingly benefit wealthier Australians while protecting our pensioners and those on income support. Labor’s priority is hospitals and schools.