Chance to hit the reset button
STATE GOVERNMENT
THAT our State Government has hit the reset button with a Cabinet reshuffle is refreshing news for the increasing numbers of disgruntled Tasmanians. Can they please also stop/pause/reset on some big decisions being made on our behalf that impact our future. It’s no surprise we are suspicious of their vision and process when it comes to planning (or lack of it) across the board.
When ministers can change environment laws to pave the way for private businesses, minimise public dissent through secrecy and have environmental hoops to jump that appear astonishingly low in light of science and accelerated climate change, it’s no surprise we are so darn grumpy. For example, renewable projects may have the right intent but are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Robbins Island wind farm and transmission corridor through the North-West is stacking up to be a terrible deal for environment, landholders, tourism and the greater community.
It’s time for our government to stop, pause and truly engage to deliver a renewable energy plan that is positive for all Tasmanians. This would mean only choosing the very best projects and creating a new benchmark for “best”. There’s still time to turn the renewable revolution into a much-needed good news story. that helped elect her. Using Labor and the Greens to get a speaker position that undermines decisions of Cabinet and the Premier, using her balance of power to make herself front and centre on issues, are not what the Liberal Party would have sought in asking her to run.
The latest demand for a Cabinet position is unreasonable given her track record and is something that should be earned. If she resigns from the party and wishes to be independent, there should be laws to say if you stand for a party, you must serve the term as a member of the party that helped elect you. Many would have voted for her simply as a Liberal. A by-election should happen and people can have the option to vote Ms Hickey in as an independent.
Credit to ministers
THIS week the Liberals did a Cabinet shuffle with Jacqui Petrusma stepping down as minister and Michael Ferguson moving from Health to Infrastructure and Transport. Rather than recognising the work of these two conscientious public servants, media have focused on criticisms levelled at Mr Ferguson for being unable to perfect an imperfect health system that is causing issues throughout Australia.
In Western Australia, hospital staff face extreme violence, Queensland Health has a $1.5 billion problematic new digital program, NSW has complaints about hospital care, and Victorian health services are facing privacy concerns in regard to patient data. Yet our media reports he has been dumped despite the Premier noting Mr Ferguson has been an outstanding health minister for five years. Is it possible he just wanted a change? Can we also talk about the elephant in the room? Sue Hickey has been reported as being snubbed again, but is it a snub or is it managing a headlinegrabber by using the naughty corner? Hickey has prided herself on being tough, forthright and an entrepreneur, not known characteristics of team players, yet is being lauded for being disruptive.
Not baying for blood
REBECCA White has not been “screaming for blood”, she has been calling for the demotion of Michael Ferguson (Letters, July 2). Nor is she casting aspersions on Sarah Courtney’s ability to handle the health portfolio by suggesting she needed to show more courage in fighting for increased funding. It is wrong to say Ms White could have offered to assist Ms Courtney, because she did. Ms White is quoted as saying, “Labor is prepared to work with the new Health Minister if she is truly willing to listen” ( Mercury, July 1).
Sorry, mate
SO Will Hodgman says he and his team are doing a great job for Tasmanians, he says his record proves it. Who are you kidding. The health and hospital system is at its worst ever, housing is a shambles, the public service are treated like a second rate workforce, the cleaners have walked off because of being poorly treated by you and Peter Gutwein, roads are bottlenecked at peak hour and no one seems qualified to fix problems when some are simple fixes. Sorry, mate, it’s a fail from me.
North-South AFL hit
I AGREE (Editorial, July 3). Unfortunately the NorthSouth divide has been exploited by our northern politicians a lot in the past. Look what happened in the last federal election. Liberal Party exploited this divide to win two northern seats. I doubt the AFL will allow a Tasmanian team knowing that this divide is very deep. Tasmania will be the loser.
Dementia care vital
READER Pen Taylor is absolutely right when she describes how nursing home care can be essential for people in the late stages of dementia (Letters, July 3). Thank you Pen.
Green Gate lime spider lure
AH Michael, it would be almost enough to make me move back to Hobart (“Mouth-watering joys of the Green Gate,” Letters, July 2). A lime spider with mates at the Green Gate while waiting for the Lindisfarne bus after school. Fond memories indeed!
Meet for the milkshake
I CONCUR with the nostalgia for the Green Gate cafe. Their vanilla milkshakes, in the burnished metal containers were the best. It was the place to meet up in the 1960s on the corner of Murray and Liverpool and watch the pedestrian traffic through the wraparound windows. Afterwards doing the weekly shopping at Purity in Sandy Bay, meat included and never much over $12.