High risk
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TASMANIANS at high risk of suicide are being denied access to hospital (The Examiner, July 2).
A report by the Department of Health and Human Services described the refusals as the most frustrating and emotional experiences carers were forced to endure.
Poor carers, imagine what it must be like for the patients.
— A.R. TROUNSON, Needles.
Trams
I’M not sure if making changes to the one-way streets as the City Heart project proposes will have the desired effect and bring life back to the city.
What about bringing something back that from all accounts was a highlight in years past and reintroduce trams to the CBD?
Perhaps it could travel from Inveresk through the city and up to the Launceston General Hospital?
This would link York Park, City Park, the city and the upper Charles Street café area nicely and not only be used by tourists but by locals getting around.
Further extension out to the Penny Royal area along Paterson Street would also be feasible.
The historic photos of Launceston facebook page shows a time when the city had some real character.
— DYLAN COLSON, Prospect.
Offending
A.R. TROUNSON (Letters, July 3) is being very frugal with the facts and extremely disingenuous with the implication that a recently convicted drug trafficker had committed the offence while serving a suspended sentence.
It was quite clear the point Mr Trounson was attempting to make was suspended sentences don’t work.
A closer look at the case, however, reveals the offender was given a nine-month suspended sentence in Victoria in March 2013.
The trafficking offence was then committed in late 2014 and there was no suggestion the offender was still under suspended sentence.
There is also no evidence that the offender committed any crimes while bound by the suspended sentence.
The fact he re-offended after the expiration of said sentence has absolutely no reflection on the effectiveness of suspended sentences.
In fact the research clearly shows those who serve a jail sentence have far greater re-offending rates than those who get a suspended sentence.
.— GEOFF McLEAN, Launceston.
Fishing
THE state government submission to a senate inquiry into salmon farming in Tasmania defends the current method by stating they are "world’s best practice” (where have I heard that before?).
Then add in the same breath that the industries impacts on waterway health were of an `acceptable risk’.
What is an `acceptable risk’ as far as the environment is concerned?
Especially as The Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council (which represents salmon farmers) said the sector acknowledge marine farming did have an effect on the environment, with more of an impact on the local near-field level.
I say, what must come to an end after this inquiry is the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment’s Marine Farm branch no longer have the duel role of `regulating’ and indeed `promoting’ the industry.
— ROBERT LEE, Summerhill.
Lawyers
IN RESPONSE to Tony Griggs, (Letters) I note with particular interest former lawyer Joe Hockey remains as treasurer in federal parliament.
He joins illustrious colleagues such as Bronwyn and Julie Bishop, Kevin Andrews, Michael Sukkar, and Philip Ruddock.
Presumably many more LNP members are of a similar background.
Do these former lawyers understand the real world outside legal speak?
The common worker?
The country’s day-to-day needs?
We can see who these individuals have aligned themselves with and the policies they have brought to bear upon true Australians.
Critical thinking works both ways, Mr. Griggs.
— CHRIS RATTRAY, South Launceston.
Aged care
OVER 12 months ago, the Abbott Government promised to “audit” the funds available for aged care workforce development and develop a “coherent” aged care workforce strategy.
The audit has been completed, but a coherent strategy is nowhere to be seen.
We all know Australia’s ageing population is growing and governments have an integral role to play in ensuring we have an adequately skilled and well qualified workforce to meet the needs of older Australians now and into the future.
In Tasmania alone, a quarter of the population will be over 65 by 2030, and we will need an extra 5000 aged care workers to ensure the best quality aged care services are provided.
Older Australians will suffer if the Abbott Government continues to ignore the workforce crisis in aged care.
— SENATOR HELEN POLLEY, Launceston.