Cray prices reveal the rip-off
WE can thank the coronavirus for exposing the real price of crayfish currently applying in Western Australia. Interstate reports quote a Geraldton Fisheries Coop spokesman saying A-grade lobsters previously destined for export can now be purchased for $28. It would seem the Tasmanian industry is reluctant to reduce their prices to something more acceptable. At Salamanca you can pick up a lobster for $50/kg, roughly twice the price in WA. It reinforces the view the export licensing should be limited so that the local product can go on local tables at local prices.
Gary Gillies Geilston Bay
Truth be told
JOHN Lawrence’s Talking Point (Mercury, February 17) confirms suspicions as to what the State Government has been doing for years — fudging figures. A balance sheet, with profit and loss over all monies received and outgoings, forward and ongoing projects, should be produced every six months. The cost blowout for the hospital has not been published. Who was responsible for the cost of the Basslink breakage and many other projects in the pipeline. The truth must be told.
Toni Oost Bonnet Hill
Warming concerns
AS a grandmother, general practitioner, Christian and Earth lover, I’m concerned that leadership inertia, climate complacency and obstruction from the Federal Government propel us further on the trajectory to 2C global warming. I just attended the National Climate Emergency Summit 2020 in Melbourne by livestream. This summit was crammed with inspiring speakers who told how Australian businesses and scientists are ready to tick boxes for the environment, social justice, the economy and lead the world with renewable energy. Elizabeth Grey Bicheno
Midden meaning
REGARDING the letter about 4WD tracks on the West Coast and off-roaders causing damage to heritage sites. The word “midden” is not Aboriginal, it has its origins in Scandinavia and means a refuse dump. It would be interesting to know the Aboriginal word for midden.
Alan Leitch Austins Ferry
Royal waste
A NEWS item mooted a visit from Prince William and Kate to see bushfire victims and tour certain areas. A government minister stated that a formal invitation will be sent, so one presumes taxpayers will foot the bill. Having come through such natural disasters, it is obscene this amount of money would not go to victims and to aid recovery. If they cared, they would arrange a visit themselves.
Hilary Jones
Ranelagh
Off the rails
IN 2015, Dorset Council received a $1.47 million Commonwealth grant to tear up 63km of the North East Rail Line for a cycle trail. Community opposition, exemplified by three surveys supporting retention of the line, caused three extensions and, eventually, withdrawal of the grant. What happened next? The Federal Government grants Dorset Council $3 million to tear up 42km of the railway. This parallels the sports grants saga. On top of that the math needs close examination. Three levels of government are party to this travesty. Stuart Bryce North East Residents and Farmers chairman
Hurtful comments
LAST week my friend, who is a sick lady, was returning to her car after hospital treatment. She was verbally abused by two well-dressed ladies in a lift full of strangers and accused of being drunk, amongst other accusations. She has a balance issue that she tries hard to manage. None of their business anyway. She did respond, pointing out alcohol abuse was not the same as a medical condition.
R. Stanton Campania
Don’t fence me in
I DISAGREE with reader Wayne McDonald’s call for fencing Hobart waterfront (Letters, February 18). The open waterfront is a magnet for locals and tourists, who delight in the ambience of a working port. I suggest stopping tourists from hiring vehicles or bushwalking in Tasmania would prevent more deaths and injuries than fencing the waterfront. Tragic events happen. We should accept responsibility for our actions rather than expect someone else to keep us safe 24/7. Randall Corney
Acton Park
For the record
In a report published on February 18, the Mercury incorrectly identified the man charged in relation to an alleged shooting incident at Underwood over the weekend. The man charged in relation to this incident is Rowan Leigh Hume.