Foreign aid
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FIRST the Prime Minister had to be rescued by the Foreign Minister in relation to his references to foreign aid to Indonesia, especially in relation to the Tsunami.
On the troops to Iraq story, I hate quoting Shakespare, but from Hamlet, ``The Lady doth protest too much, me thinks”.
— MALCOLM SCOTT, Newstead.
Elder loans
AS A compassionate country we support those who have inadequate income.
Many income-poor students get student loans to support themselves through their studies.
Many income-poor older people get pensions to support themselves through the later years of their lives.
Students are required to pay back their loans when there is a capacity to do so.
The same should apply to asset-rich pensioners (or their estates).
Currently inheritors are the ultimate beneficiaries of pensions for asset-rich elders.
We have student loans.
If our nation's finances are dire, it may be time to also consider elder loans.
— IVAN WEBB, Launceston.
Cricket world cup
The coverage of this World Cup event shows how much money controls our sporting events.
We get to see six games out of 21 in pool A.
No coverage of any match in pool B, a total of 42 games.
If Australia is knocked out do we see any of the finals?
OK, it’s all telecast on Foxtel, but Channel 2 TDT telecast every match of the Big Bash prior to the World Series.
So there’s still time, axe The Block and explode The Big Bang Theory and show some more of the World Series cricket.
The greying public would apprecitate it.
— BOB MAINWARING, Launceston.
Abbott
WHILST I agree that Prime Minister Tony Abbott leading the Coalition into the next election is in Labor's best interests, can he be allowed to continue to run around like a loose cannon.
Undoubtedly linking Aid following a natural disaster which can only be unconditional and the implication that further assistance may be withdrawn will be seen as a threat by Indonesia and undermines the low key approach by persons acting on behalf of Chan and Sukumaran.
Add to that comments regarding the Human Rights Commissioner and failure to accept the court's decision in respect of David Hicks.
— A. CARTER, Mowbray.
Ockerby Gardens
OCKERBY Gardens provides a welcome patch of green outdoors for patients of the Launceston General Hospital - visually from many wards, and via the paths connecting the gardens to the hospital, one can enjoy this patch of nature in an otherwise built-up site.
Many hospital staff likewise enjoy this space.
However, this park area is spoiled by the thick carpet of cigarette butts.
Users of the park must run a gauntlet of smokers and their haze - the LGH is a smoke-free zone thus the park has become a smokers' paradise adversely impacting on the enjoyment of other users.
Launceston has developed smoke-free policies benefiting those at playgrounds, indoor eating areas and the Aurora Stadium.
It would be appropriate to create the Ockerby Gardens as a smoke-free area to allow the sick to enjoy the space without running the risk of additional health harms from second hand smoke created by a significant minority of park users.
— ALEX THOMSON, Launceston.
Senator Colbeck
TASMANIAN Liberal Senator Colbeck is wrong again if he thinks by reducing the size of the factory ship, this will allow the fishing by these trawlers in Australian waters.
Firstly, the range of fish permitted to be caught has gone from two species, to four or five.
Secondly the method of catching these fish allows the complete school of fish to be taken, with the bio catch dying in the process.
It has been said that they will only take 7.5 per cent of the available fish. Is that 7.5 per cent per ship?
And how many ships will be allowed?
It makes more sense to ban all factory ships from our waters, and for all trawlers fishing our waters be required to release a third of their catch alive to breed on.
No one is telling us how many years each species need before they grow into a commercial size, 20, 40 60 years?
What is the answer?
— JIM CAMPBELL, Ulverstone.
Councils
l WOULD like to make Tasmanians aware of what Auckland did some years ago with their many small councils, they amalgamated totally and morphed into one Super Council for all of Auckland.
They appointed a 'Super Mayor' and one delegate from each of the smaller councils around Auckland.
The Mayor whom we met in Canberra at the ALGA conference a couple of years ago informed us that he meets with the full cabinet each week, what a revelation.
If that was to occur in Tasmania can you imagine what we could achieve?
Instead of this wishy washy approach we have now, with every tin pot council putting up barricades to stop the invaders.
We could have rational discussions with the government of the day and work through the issues and actually establish a rapport, whereby with a solid approach and good dialogue we could make this state jump.
l am a passionate advocate for efficiency and progress and it is disappointing that within local government there are many mayors and councillors who want to remain elected forever, whatever the cost, and they blindly lead their communities into believing that they know best, what an indictment.
— TED SANDS, Launceston City Council Alderman.
Hicks
LES Nibbs (Examiner, February 23) writes, ``Fairness for Hicks” and states many have sacrificed their lives.
I would suggest in relation to Hicks, many good people, including many Australians, have given there lives fighting the very organisations this traitor, because that is what he is, joined.
He had no ties with the Taliban, or Osama Bin Laden, who he describes as a brother.
He was a mercenary.
The word traitor, and mercenary describes exactly what this person was, and he deserves no sympathy.
— P. GROUT, Summerhill.
Terrorists
DAVID Hicks is a self-confessed terrorist.
Before his capture, he openly boasted of training with Al Qaeda forces and fighting with them against coalition forces
He bragged of meeting Osama Bin Laden several times describing him as a lovely man, he was photographed smiling and posing with grenade launchers and other weapons, he declared he was prepared to die and become a martyr fighting for Al Qaeda.
So I am amazed when people including Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Greens leader Christine Milne want the government to apologise to Hicks.
Why and for what?
His predicament was self inflicted.
Professor Greg Barton (The Examiner, February 21) joins the above, stating Prime Minister Tony Abbott and ex Prime Minister John Howard used excessively strong words when declaring Hicks was not owed any apology by any Australian government, well I am sorry Mr Barton I agree with them.
Hicks was not the “foolish young man” you suggest, he was a terrorist who willingly and knowingly took up arms against his own country and that makes him a traitor no better than the jihads who have and are now leaving Australia to fight with IS terrorists.
In my opinion, and that of many people I speak to, it is Hicks who should be apologising to the people of Australia and asking forgiveness for his betrayal and show some long overdue contrition for his acts.
— KERRY FOLEY, Launceston.