MAIB
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THERE is no justification that MAIB can keep on raising the fee by $20 per year.
In 10 years the cost has gone up $200.
Just a form of extortion that no one can challenge and has to pay or do not drive.
— WALTER CHRISTY, Shearwater.
Swordfish
WE ARE outraged at the killing of whales and dolphins, but the picture of the swordfish caught on the East Coast is glorified.
It is disgraceful that a magnificent fish, which feels pain, loses its life for sport.
— LESLEY OSENIEKS, Trevallyn.
Terrorists
I HAVE been watching the preparations for increased Anzac Day security and the thought struck me that most of our fallen war heroes would be turning in their graves at the fact that we now have people who have been accepted into our country planning terrorist acts.
How has this been allowed this to happen?
Our people in authority must stop sitting on their hands and actually put a stop to terrorist activity in our great country.
Good people have died so that we can have a wonderful life in our country without fear of terrorist acts.
— M WIGGiNS, Hadspen.
Independence
TONY Mulder's claim that Mersey independent MLC Mike Gaffney votes against the Liberal party too often (The Examiner, April 21) is not an allegation, it is a fact.
Renowned political researcher Dr Kevin Bonham, clearly establishes that Mr Gaffney votes along Labor lines more than 80 per cent of the time.
How is this independence?
Mr Gaffney’s actions over his six years in parliament do not support his claim of political independence.
My commitment is that I will, first and foremost, vote for the best interests of the people of Mersey, not along any party line.
Especially in regards to jobs, business and the economy; keeping the Mersey Hospital open, and education, such as higher school retention rates.
— VIVIENNE GALE, independent candidate for Mersey.
Reduction of staff
WITH the upheaval of the Glenorchy Council front and centre, the general manager is pressing ahead with the reduction of senior management roles.
l would simply ask this question, what is Launceston doing to reduce the $4.3 million operational deficit of our council?
The first thing any sizeable business, and Launceston City Council is one, with a turnover of $100 million and a gaping wound in the bottom line, should do is look at staffing levels to reduce that repetitive debt level.
"Form and function" reviews have a purpose but they will not achieve the end result and that is to bring this council back into the black, just as Glenorchy are trying to achieve.
With the Mayor and Ald McKenzie being two very experienced accountants, l would like to hear from them and see what methodology they would embark upon to fix this problem.
It is without doubt the elephant in the room, but no one is prepared to recognise the problem and confront the issue. l have raised this issue many times but the response has been deafening.
— TED SANDS, Launceston City Council alderman.
Water
ISSUES concerning the quality of Tasmania's waters by almost derelict infrastructure raises some serious doubts about some of the wild figures some politicians bandy about growing the state population by.
Many people have before queried how the state can support unrestricted growth in population without the means of basic and functional infrastructure.
The river has not only silt but many forms of bacteria that are worrying.
For too long state and local governments have ignored all the issues, time to act now.
— PETER TAYLOR, Midway Point.
Trawlers
I WANT to congratulate organisers of the Stop the Trawler rally I attended at Perth on Saturday, and acknowledge the many people who travelled long distances to attend.
Our marine habitat is under pressure from fish farm expansion and global warming.
A trawler vacuuming up our small pelagic fishery is the last thing we need.
Small businesses are struggling to cope in Tasmania.
Allowing a huge factory freezer trawler in to threaten local fishing and ecotourism is mind boggling.
The recreational fishing industry contributes about $14 billion to the national economy and over 74,000 jobs.
More than 10 per cent of accommodation stays are by recreational fishers, who also patronise local business. Imagine the damage to Tasmania’s economy and employment – especially in the North and in our regional coastal towns – if the Geelong Star is allowed to operate here.
The Greens have been there from the start of this campaign, and we will stay until these greedy trawlers are banned.
— VANESSA BLEYER, Greens candidate for Windermere.
TasWater
I WONDER where all the money we pay TasWater goes.
Their rates are now almost as much as the council rates and we were told that we would not be paying more after water was removed from the council.
Now we are hearing about the health risk posed by our drinking water because, wait for it, there is lead in the pipes.
Surely it would be better for TasWater to concentrate on what it's there to do rather than amalgamating, going back to three entities, then getting together again?
The cost of new offices, new logos and new vehicles would be better spent on our infrastructure. Afterall, we are supposed to be in the 21st century in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
— GLENNIS SLEURINK, Launceston.
CTST care
GREAT full page ad in The Examiner for Community Transport Services (Tuesday, April 21).
Shame it didn’t tell the full story about the services available.
Help for the disabled?
Yes there is as long as you don’t require wheelchair services.
Keep disabled in the workforce?
Yes as long as they not in a wheelchair.
What help is available for these people that are unable to drive but have a job?
Transport available sometimes?
Even though prebooked sometimes unreliable.
Spend their hard earned money on a cab or maybe just go on a full time pension?
I know from first hand experience that work is number one but where is the real service that is promoted?
I really respect and commend the volunteers, but get your priorities right you pollies and get off your soapbox.
Forget your egos and really act on what is occurring.
No big hero advertising.
We don’t need an inquiry into this.
Just act on it.
I am quite happy to talk to you face to face as I deal with this situation every day.
Have you got the intestinal fortitude to face me?
It’s not a threat but a challenge.
Awaiting your swift reply.
— J. RADFORD, Newnham.
Reimbursements
TED Sands’ assertions (‘Ratepayers disrespected’ The Examiner, April 21) are without foundation and it would seem, formed purely on media hyperbole.
I therefore feel compelled to assist Alderman Sands’ and other readers’ understanding of the facts.
The City of Hobart’s Aldermanic reimbursement process expressly requires Aldermen to certify that all claims are linked to an activity in carrying out the duties of office.
Expenses that involve child care, car parking, telecommunications or travel associated with attending council functions are all allowed and contemplated under the Local Government Act or council policies.
While the system is robust, the council's external auditors have been asked to review the process and recommendations from the auditors will be reported to the council through its Audit Panel.
It is expected the auditor’s recommendations will be adopted by the council within the next few weeks.
Like all systems, there is always room for improvement and the council has moved to increase the level of transparency and probity to ensure the community is confident their funds are being spent appropriately.
The City of Hobart also welcomes the Auditor-General’s review of the results and being a catalyst for a possible statewide audit.
— N. D. HEATH, City of Hobart general manager.