Bridge costs

THE Bridge of Remembrance spanning the Tasman Highway is a troublesome eyesore. The bridge is 200 metres in length and 4m wide. It is mainly used to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. The huge cost was $11 million. I understand $8 million is being provided by the Australian Government, with the Tasmanian Government and its already heavily burdened taxpayers forking out the rest.

No use without housing

GREG Barns is right to highlight the value of specialised housing support for those exiting prison (Talking Point, February 18). The personal, community and financial benefit is considerable and makes its absence look like neglect on the part of government. Far from serving the best

Students should sue

I SAW two clips on the news of children in the classroom. On the first occasion, children were playing with playdough, and on the second, toys. No evidence of reading, writing or arithmetic was on display, which explains my frustration when interviewing 50 school-leavers of fourth-year high school that none was able to tell me eight times eight was 64. I would recommend these children seek a class action against the education department for failing to provide them with these basics and not enabling them to gain employment. The teachers want a pay rise, for what?