IT'S time to take all the hysteria out of the debate on tourism developments in national parks and World Heritage Areas.

For as long as I can remember there has been blanket opposition to any development in national parks by a narrow-minded minority.

As a former National Parks and Wildlife Minister, I remember the orchestrated opposition to the development of the circuit track at Dove Lake at Cradle Mountain National Park, now possibly the most popular tourist walk in the state.

It would be interesting to see what reception early pioneers such as Gustav Weindorfer would have received when he developed his chalet at Cradle Mountain.

With the present day attitudes of some people, it would have been impossible to develop any of the current facilities in wilderness areas.

It is time to stop the misinformation and insinuation.

Sensitive tourism developments can and do take place inside World Heritage Areas, with many sites around the world today even including villages and whole communities inside their boundaries.

The original world heritage management plan for Tasmania, implemented while I was minister, established the principle of visitor nodes inside wilderness areas where the development of services could take place.

It’s time to get rid of all the emotive language used to get a headline and to evoke a negative response.

Let's have a sensible discussion about sensitive developments in our wilderness areas.

It is important that people have access to these areas, as in the future these people will be the greatest defenders of them.

- JOHN CLEARY, Lindisfarne.

Wilderness

BUT that's what Tasmania needs, Barry Prismall- a government that is 'gung-ho': (The Examiner, January 19) - "extremely excited and enthusiastic about doing something"

For the past number of years we  had governments that were apathetic, indifferent, unenthusiastic, uneager about development in Tasmania, which is why there's still a barren plot of land on the East Tamar instead of a productive industrial site.

There is every reason to expect that the present state government supported from Canberra, can find entirely appropriate developments that can enhance 'wilderness experience' .

A mountain of legislation exists to protect against 'over-the-top' proposals - not to mention the inevitability of placarded protests - but neither should be taken for a "nothing to be seen here" approach.

The present Government was elected to 'do something' after years of fumbling, bumbling inactivity.

Prudent tourist developments"... just do it.

- TREVOR COWELL, Perth.

Driving

SO, poor Barry Milner was stuck behind a learner driver on a mayor highway sitting on the speed limit (Letters, January 17).

Surely Mr Milner was once a learner driver and drove at the speed limit on the main highways; show some patience.

Accidents are not caused by learner drivers, they are caused by impatient drivers who do not respect other road users, regardless of age.

- G. JACOBSON, Mowbray.

Politics

INTERESTING to note the tactics used by the State Liberal Party politicians when avoiding answering questions.

How often do you hear, `` I won't be giving a running commentary" or ``They wouldn't accept a wage freeze".

No doubt the political minders have versed all members on the above.

There are however, some of us who see through this for what is a lazy way to get out of answering questions.

No doubt those highly paid minders think they have dreamed up a winning tactic

- TONY FENTON, Devonport.

Australia Day

AUSTRALIA Day is touted as a day of celebration of our country; a country that enjoys some of the most privileged lifestyles on Earth.

It is a time for reflection about our national state of well-being and, as part of that, for asking the question about our inclusiveness and respect for all citizens.

To include and respect is key to maintaining a cohesive, prosperous and peace loving society.

January 26 marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales and the raising of the flag of Great Britain at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip.

Aboriginal nations lived in this land, sustainably, for more than 40,000 years.

We European and other arrivals have been here for less than 227 years, a blink of an eye in terms of the history of human settlement of Australia.

If Australia Day is to be a celebration of our country and its people, then it needs to include all Australians; especially those who are the original custodians of this land.

We celebrate our country on a day that marked a new chapter in this land’s history, but the book began 40,000 years ago.

The arrival of the Europeans was the beginning of the end for thousands of Aboriginal people and their way of life.

It is the epitome of insensitivity and cultural arrogance that we attempt to celebrate our country on a day that represents the beginning of bloodshed, dispossession and cultural annihilation for Aboriginal people.

This day is the source of much ongoing trauma and pain for this land's original inhabitants.

Surely we have become big enough to acknowledge this history and move to relocate our national day of celebration to a day that can truly include all Australians; and especially those who were here first.

As we sing: "Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free”, perhaps we should reflect on how inclusive "all" is, and whether there is freedom in dispossession, colonisation and a lack of acknowledgement and inclusion.

It is contradictory to seek to acknowledge the original custodians of this land in our constitution while we celebrate a day that so profoundly dismisses their original presence.

- STEWART MILLAR, Launceston.

Medicare

THE statements made by Kerry Foley regarding the future of Medicare (Letters, January 19) cannot pass without comment.

His assertions (obviously based on LNP propaganda) that without immediate attention Medicare will collapse, are simply wrong.

Australia spends less (per GDP) on health than many other countries, including the US, UK and New Zealand.

Costs may be going up, but so is the GDP.

And, if the LNP governments policies don't further increase unemployment, so will taxation revenue.

We are fortunate to have one of the best health care systems in the world.

For some inexplicable reason the LNP want to destroy it.

Do we really want to model our system on that of the US which, incidentally, spends almost twice the amount (per GDP) as Australia?

As for '99 per cent of journalists, news readers, and so on’ jumping on the bandwagon to call the backflip 'massive' and 'embarrassing', I'm sure Rupert Murdoch would be interested to know this.

The simple fact is this Abbott-led government has all the traction of a two-legged draught-horse.

If Mr Foley truly believes the Senate is being obstructionist, he should petition our local member, to vote for a double dissolution of parliament.

Let the people decide.

-DAVID BOARDER, Youngtown.

Religion

THE world would be a lot better place to live with no religions of any kind at all.

Over the centuries, 80 to 90 per cent of wars and conflicts have been caused by religion. Most of the rest by maniacs.

Both lots motivated by the desire for power and riches.

- COLIN KNOWLES, Devonport.