Health system
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HEALTH Minister Michael Ferguson has flagged changes to the health system.
He talks of consolidating complex operations in a central location.
No doubt this will leave other areas like the North-West Coast to be treated as second class citizens expected to travel excessive distances in order to have themselves or loved ones treated.
On discharge most likely to be told, ‘‘find you own way home buddy’’.
Travel will mean many will pick up other illnesses as I did recently, placing an additional cost to the health service.
How many professionals will leave under this plan?
— JIM CAMPBELL, Ulverstone.
NBN
WHILE businesses might support the NBN scheme, I think the government should have held a referendum to ask ordinary householders whether they were interested in also being connected, instead of just being forced to do so.
I am quite happy with my existing landline phone and computer speed, as are many other people I talk to.
What an incredible waste of billions of dollars, forcing this NBN roll-out on every household, without knowing whether it is widely supported by home owners and not just businesses.
— JEAN CROSIER, Launceston.
University
MUCH has been said, recently, about freedom of speech concerning the future of the University of Tasmania, in the sense that deregulation of university fees is both an opportunity for UTAS and its Northern campus, but also a risk.
Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic has of course emphasised the positive for Launceston, and the opportunity for the redevelopment of the Northern campus.
However, I understand the Vice Chancellor has now conceded that the risks for UTAS are far from trivial in the sense that in a deregulated environment, the regional campuses of UTAS are "under threat", particularly in the absence of funding for restructure.
All Tasmanians should be concerned about the risk that Launceston will lose an essential part of its identity if UTAS were to close its regional campuses.
Mr Nikolic, in particular, should make clear that the interests of the Tasmanian community in maintaining a strong UTAS presence in Launceston will be acknowledged.
This is one issue where Mr Nikolic cannot be a "yes man" to his Federal Coalition colleagues.
— ROSS HART, Launceston.
Discrimination
OUR society has long tolerated differing opinions.
Sadly the freedom to voice a different view is now being curtailed.
Especially if your opinion differs to the views of Rodney Croome.
Despite being awarded Tasmanian of the Year - espousing broad-minded tolerance - what have we seen?
The savage denouncement of any Launceston aldermen who dared to differ on the importance of marriage.
This week, a proposed amendment to allow religious schools to choose students, along the lines of religion.
Reasonable latitude, many would think.
But this freedom was immediately slammed as a "bigots' charter" by Mr Croome.
Robust debate is central to civil society.
— JIM COLLINS, South Hobart.
Water
TASWATER is quoted (The Examiner, March 21) as saying the water supply at Campbell Town and Ross is safe to drink.
I believe human urine is safe to drink also, but I do not wish to drink either.
After hundreds of millions of dollars being spent to improve Tasmania’s reticulated water supplies to communities, the quality of the Campbell Town – Ross water supply is the worst I have experienced in 22 years.
The report of March 21 stated TasWater believed the bad smell may be related to the conditions of the Elizabeth River water catchment, but if that was the cause, wouldn’t the water be nasty within the main course of the river?
A simple walk along the river bank shows that not to be the case, but a walk along the water canal from which TasWater draws the Campbell Town – Ross supply immediately shows the cause for the foul tasting/smelling water is the rotting vegetation within the canal.
This canal has not been cleaned out for many years and I suppose there could be an prolonged argument now as to who is responsible for the maintenance of the supply canal.
Please TasWater, do a bit of simple housekeeping.
You are starting to smell just like our water supply.
— BILL CHUGG, Campbell Town.
Tobacco
INDEPENDENT Windermere MLC Ivan Dean has a great idea to prevent the sale of tobacco to people born after the year 2000.
All recreational drugs should be treated as health issues rather than criminal issues, but action to discourage smoking is too important to hesitate.
Those who protest that such a law would be an imposition on civil liberties are ignoring the terrifying imposition that tobacco companies continue to inflict.
Their product kills 50 per cent of its regular users and damages the health of 100 per cent of its users.
They know this.
As a nurse, for more than 30 years, all the worst deaths I ever saw were caused by smoking.
Any measure that discourages it must have our maximum support.
— BOB ELLISTON, Bruny Island.
Euthanasia
AS A shattered husband who watched his beautiful wife die slowly and cruelly with cancer over an extended period, I have to take umbrage with the view of Robert Lee (The Examiner, March 21) promoting “Assisted Living” rather than “Assisted Dying”.
My wife descended into a world of pain (unless insensible with morphine) and despair.
She suffered a complete loss of her dignity.
She did not wish to continue living (if that is what you call it) for six months prior to her eventual horrific death.
Palliative care merely extended her time in a living hell.
If a person has been diagnosed with a life limiting illness and is placed under palliative care then they must be able to choose the time and manner of their passing.
To believe and promote an alternative view shows a complete lack of compassion, and a complete lack of empathy with the unfortunates stricken with terminal illnesses.
— BRIAN PAGE, Hawley Beach.
Debt
ADAM Clark has made an attempt to mislead the people of Tasmania in his recent letter regarding the debt level in Australia (Letters, March 16).
Let's get some facts on the table. Global auditing firm, Pricewaterhouse Coopers' financial modelling shows Australian public debt reaching one trillion by 2037 and seven trillion by 2050 if the rate of unsustainable spending isn't reined in.
Australia is one of the few countries that still has the best credit rating: AAA. Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investor Service warned the country could lose its status if the debt situation worsens.
Just by looking at a graph of Australian debt levels since the '90s, the untrained eye can detect a debt level that spirals out of control.
From $45 billion cash in the bank in 2007 to about $300 billion in gross debt in 2015 is ludicrous.
To leave that debt level for our children is unconscionable.
This is a budget crisis and the government needs to take extreme measures to rectify the record increases in spending seen under the Rudd-Gillard government.
— JOEY CRAWFORD, Launceston.
Violence
SENATOR Sarah Hanson-Young recently made public the details of a number of violent and sexually explicit emails, texts and tweets she has received.
To this day I have heard no condemnation from the Prime Minister, the government as a whole or the Opposition, of these disgusting messages.
Rosie Batty has been appointed Australian of the Year and publicly advocates an end to (domestic) violence against women.
Senator Hanson-Young is a woman.
Is the silence from parliament because she is a Green?
There must be strong and sincere condemnation of this by the Prime Minister, and the parliament as one. Staying silent, suggests condoning these acts.
— JOHN CHESTER, Westbury.