Sick and sorry

education outcomes, along with low wages and high unemployment. We have a small population base and can’t always have what the mainland states possess.

It’s cheap populist point-scoring for politicians to show support for projects not of core need. I remember well our past state basketball team where crowds dwindled to such an extent it saw its demise. Unfortunately our support for such teams goes the same way. AFL and Sheffield Shield games continue to attract fewer crowds. It should be left to corporations and wealthy developers to pay the way for such teams, not government, when more pressing essentials are drastically required.

Raymond Harvey Claremont

WITH the state’s health system in such a disgraceful mess, by rejecting the building of a private hospital in New Town, Hobart City councillors have proved they are as incompetent as the State Liberal Government (Mercury, December 3). If any of the Nimbys who objected to the project find themselves in the Royal, waiting days for treatment, will they think, I could be in a hospital just down the road from home, if I hadn’t been so foolish as the councillors. Of course not, they would only have to be half smart to think that way.

Reader Bill Sorell was spot on when he asked “how much longer do we have to put up with these anti-every thing Green activists” when referring to green members of the council subcommittee (Letters, December 1). Unbelievably, eight councillors agreed with them.

To everyone in the South who has had a go at me, and I have had some fun with, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mick Leppard Invermay