Train locals before luring more
PROFESSOR Ian Harper has put forward an odd proposal for building the Tasmanian economy and rural areas by bringing in large numbers of immigrants ( Mercury, September 14). The article ignores what must be the highest priority for economic growth, making it economically possible for young Tasmanians to get trade and technical qualifications. Governments and universities consistently underrate technical training at school and tertiary level as a critically important alternative. With few exceptions, schools are focused on academic skills with university as the end goal. Access to technical qualifications is limited in cities and almost completely unavailable outside cities. Technical institutions demand cash upfront and barriers to traditional apprenticeships have become practically insuperable.
The reliance on overseas plasterers for the Royal Hobart Hospital and the shortage of almost all types of non-degree health care worker are just two examples of our many failures in this area. Surely the first priority is decentralisation policies combined with policies to ensure affordable access for all Tasmanians to any of the whole range of skills needed for our economic development. After that, we are in a position to work out what immigration, if any, we need.
Stick to dog rules
FROM media coverage of Kingborough Council’s dog management policy, one might assume everyone is pleased with Councillor Winter’s late amendment that instates part of Taroona Beach as an offleash dog exercise area. This is far from the case: many of us put forward health, safety, community wellbeing and environmental reasons for maintaining the entire beach as a no-dog area. Council’s handling of this sensitive issue, vacillating between wildly differing draft policies, has contributed to deep divisions in our normally easy-going community.
While those of us in Taroona must do what we can to heal the rift, the process will be easier if dog-owners abide by the rules and respect the no-dog status of the rest of the beach, the barbecue and play area and Hinsby Beach. It behoves council to enforce their policy, including through patrols and fines: it is not fair this responsibility be devolved to residents because it generates further ill-will. If, down the track, the new zoning is found to be unworkable, I trust councillors will have the courage to reverse their decision. wanted by the dairy industry. These bobby calves are separated from their mothers soon after birth. This is extremely distressing to both. Cows have been known to walk for miles looking for their calves. Each year the dairy industry sends 450,000 bobby calves to slaughter at five days of age. Rules allow farmers to not feed calves for up to 30 hours and to be transported for up to 12 hours. Stressed calves often suffer diarrhoea. Cows usually don’t live over five. The natural lifespan is about 20. Bred to produce more and more milk, udders are heavy. The weight causes stress and pain. Mastitis and lameness are common. Leg and hip pain is made worse from concrete floors. Tail-docking and horn removal are done without pain relief. Farmed animals are exempt from cruelty legislation. Codes of practice are practically useless because they promote poor welfare standards and are unenforceable.
Half women, half men
HAVING listened to many discussions on TV and radio regarding quotas for women in politics, it has occurred to me there is a relatively simple solution. As women are about half the population, I think it’s reasonable they should have half the representation. In the House of Representatives, I suggest adjacent electorates be amalgamated and two members be elected from each, one of each gender. The only snag is the uneven number of electorates in some states, so a redistribution would be required. I’m sure the Electoral Commission could work that out. The Senate would be much simpler, having equal numbers already.
Sue Hickey for premier
WITH all the problems the public is having at the moment, perhaps a new premier would solve some of the same. A premier that could keep ministers up to scratch, with no more secret reports; hospitals that can cope with the people; someone in charge. That could be Sue Hickey. I believe Sue would be able to run this state better than it’s run at present. Think for once about the public who elects you.
Home-share hot air
UNIVERSITY of Tasmania researchers were reported as saying home-sharing had reduced Hobart’s rental stock by 436 properties, about 6 per cent of the 7000 available ( Mercury, September 12). This suggests 436 rentals have been removed and relisted as Airbnbs. There is no way anybody could back this up apart from contacting all the owners. In my opinion there has been a lot of misinformation in relation to the numbers of whole homes that have either been removed from being rentals or could have been rentals and are instead listed on Airbnb.
When you search Airbnb for accommodation, there are two options: an entire place or a private room. When preparing a listing on Airbnb there is a huge gap between a private room and an entire place. If someone has an area under their house which is a studio or more than one room, it definitely isn’t a private room and must be listed as an entire place. It is no more likely that 436 rentals have been lost than finding 436 foxes travelling in chairlifts up kunyani/Mt Wellington.