Football
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I AM absolutely disgusted with the coverage of football we get with Southern Cross TV.
The amount of ads that we have to suffer during the matches every weekend is ridiculous.
There seems to be more interest in revenue than enjoyment for viewers.
— DOUG HODGETTS, Invermay.
Sheep
ON MY way back from Launceston, I was upset and sad to see some sheep without their warm coats (been shorn) in this cold weather.
Why is it allowed?
I come from Holland, the animals are inside in the winter.
If that is not done here, at least can the farmers wait to have the poor animals shorn and not to shiver. It is cruel.
— MRS. B. WALTERS, Westbury.
Government
WE have been hit over the head by the Prime Minister and Treasurer about having a go.
Well, out of nine critical funding areas identified by the front line workers, not one cent has been given, so how is that a fair go?
Rape, domestic violence assistance now is apparently of no interest.
Simply put this federal government cannot be trusted. They care for the economy not people.
— MAX WELLS, Sorell.
Economy
WHAT a difference a year makes.
Australia’s terms of trade continue to fall, the deficit continues to grow and cuts in spending are yet to be passed by the Senate.
Surely we should continue along the same course as set in the 2014 Budget which was the only way forward last year.
What, of course, has changed is that the coalition is still lagging in the polls and an election is growing even closer.
So suddenly we are urged to get out and spend, because better times are ahead, based on the most optimistic predictions of economic growth and job creation over the next two years plus the senate passing all spending cuts in the pipeline.
Anyway, forget a surplus any time soon, re-election of the coalition transcends any other.
— A. CARTER, Mowbray.
Crime
IT IS disheartening to find young people within Launceston embarking on a crime spree as displayed in (The Examiner, May14).
A few things should be noted when considering the issue.
The young people involved are not representative of youth in general, but do represent a growing "ice" trend within our community of Northern Tasmania and around Australia.
It is positive to see both our Federal and State governments beginning to tackle the issue sensibly.
As a community we have a long way to go before the effects of this drug are curbed.
— KYLE BARRETT, Relbia.
NE Trail
CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah Hirst and her North East Cycling Track Committee and the Dorset Council for their successful funding application announced in the Budget to develop the 70 kilometre Trail to Scottsdale.
Thanks also to Bass MP Andrew Nikolic for his support for the project.
This $1.47 million funding, will bring well proven economic, social and health benefits to the region and has the potential to bring new life and businesses to the small towns along the rail.
It will build on the hard work of the Rotary Club of Scottsdale in opening up the Trail from Scottsdale to the top of the Billy Cock Hill, just out of Legerwood.
— MALCOLM COWAN, President, Tamar Bicycle Users Group Inc.
PLA
STRANGE how when the Port of Launceston Authority (PLA) removed an island from the Tamar River many years ago, that the PLA staff were able to handle claims for property damage to houses and other types of property on both sides of the river as the result of that work.
Now our local council spokesman ``is unavailable for comment on Saturday”.
I am appalled at reading this item in (The Sunday Examiner, May 10), that such damage as reported has occurred when Bunnings at Invermay was built and apparently no action was taken to correct that damage.
Liability for financial losses to others, arising from property damage due to outside causes controlled by councils who issue building permits, is not theirs to permit to occur and not repair.
There would seem to be an obvious lack of any wish to help with some "good intentions towards ratepayers” and attend to problems created by some local government senior staff.
— FRANK DEANE, Evandale.
NW Hospital
WHEN I see a problem I like to offer a suggestion as a way of fixing the situation.
The lack of air conditioning in the emergency area of the North Western Hospital was one problem.
Not only did I write to the papers, but also though Jeremy Rockliff MHA.
He forwarded my emails to Minister Fergusson, who recently replied to my queries.
The minister apologised for the poor working conditions saying that the emergency unit was in temporary premises, and would be shifted to a new area costing 1.5 million ($1,500,000 ) before the end of the year when the cancer centre is completed. This is good news for the excellent staff and the public.
Let’s hope more of the public ask questions, and receive a satisfactory reply.
The minister has also instructed the use of portable air conditioners, and heating.
— JIM CAMPBELL, Ulverstone.
Budget
THE Abbott Government’s 2015 Budget is breathtakingly cynical.
No money for UTAS. No money for the John L Grove. No money for the Mersey.
Last year Tony Abbott scrapped Labor’s $6500 small business depreciation allowance, claiming it was unaffordable.
A year later he’s brought it back, increasing it to $20,000.
How can something supposedly unaffordable in one year be tripled in the next?
For two years Tony Abbott has undermined business confidence by claiming there was a budget emergency and a debt and deficit disaster.
Now he expects Australians to just forget all that. He has ramped up new taxes and spending and has doubled the deficit.
Australians remember this is the same man who said before the election “no cuts to pensions, no cuts to health, no cuts to education”.
Tony Abbott should stop taking Australians for mugs.
— BRIAN MITCHELL, Federal Labor candidate for Lyons, Penna.
Road safety
TASMANIANS heard more about road safety last week than ever before.
It was National Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Week that was given fantastic support from The Examiner and other media outlets.
On behalf of our Road Safety Week partners, Tasmania Police and RACT, we thank The Examiner for its support.
Each day Tasmania Police had an enforcement focus on one of the Fatal Five road behaviours that contribute to death and injury on our roads, supported by an event, each day of the week.
Educating people about the importance of road safety, supported by enforcement, is the most effective way to make a difference to the toll of death and injury.
The Road Safety Advisory Council, Tasmania Police and the RACT worked together to promote
The Fatal Five: not wearing a seat belt or being in an incorrectly fitted child restraint, speeding, inattention, driving tired and drink and drug driving.
It was gratifying for Tasmania’s efforts to be recognised by the president of Safer Australian Roads And Highways, the founder of Road Safety Week.
The Week’s success would not be anywhere near what it was without the support of Tasmania’s media, something every Tasmanian should appreciate.
— JIM COX, Chair Road Safety Advisory Council.
Expenditure
SURELY there must be smiles on State Government faces at this time.
An extra $438 million must ease a lot of pressures and allow some generosity to Tasmanians.
The best strategy will be to look to once-off capital expenditures rather than lock in a new series of recurrent expenditures, as was the unfortunate habit of the previous government.
Maybe a sizable grant to begin cleaning up that cesspool we call the Tamar River?
Or can we move the river to Hobart where I’m sure it would attract some action.
And maybe some generosity to retirees in the form of well-being initiatives – things to keep retirees productively active, and so fitter and healthier, therefore saving the state money by reducing hospital visits and levels of health services needed.
All with sunset clauses to safeguard future budgets, it is suggested.
— DICK JAMES, Launceston.
Shorten
SOMETIMES you have to wonder also at Bill Shortens hide, with his comments on the Budget
Australia’s financial dilemma is through the Labor Party’s poor management skills.
We are billions in depth and will be for many years to come, through his big spending government.
Come on, how can you claim the high ground on financial stability, in the wake of your past disasters.
Every taxpayer, is paying millions of dollars in interest for years to come over your inability to spend responsibly.
Mr Shorten I have no faith at all in your ranting.
Your party has failed the Australian people miserably and thrown hardships on taxpayers far into the future.
— PETER DODDY, Trevallyn.