HEALTH ISSUES
PERHAPS the problem with our health system is not so much a lack of funds, but rather too many sick people. Fiscally, this country would save billions if those with tobacco, alcohol and drug problems either gave up, or were responsible for their own health care needs.
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More billions could be saved if we had healthy food to eat, rather than the highly processed, high carb, high sugar, high in polyunsaturated fats, made in some cases from genetically modified products.
Obesity can only be a result of diet and is costing us enormously, yet we are happy to accept as truth slick marketing campaigns telling us to consume more.
I hate being beholden to large multinationals who see me as nothing more than a dot point on a balance sheet. I can’t see how vegetables cut six weeks ago overseas can be sold to me as fresh without chemical intervention.
I know farmers who don’t eat their own produce because they know what chemicals they are obliged to spray in order to gain a contract. Give some six-year-olds sugary red cordial and watch the response.
So, are we likely to consider any of this in solving our health care disaster? Probably not. Every politician to date is claiming they have a bigger band aid (more money), but that’s not made one iota of difference in the last few decades.
I would vote for any politician who gave just a modicum of thought to looking at the health problem in other than financial terms.
Simon Handby, Launceston.
RETENTION RATES
COMMENTARY around school retention and attainment provides me with another opportunity to state my support for colleges and to reinforce that they are not under threat as they were under a Labor government who tore them and TAFE Tasmania apart.
Under the previous Labor-Green government we saw apparent retention rates to year 12 of just 67.1 per cent in 2012 and a TCE attainment rate of just 43.4 per cent in 2011.
The Liberal government’s plans to improve educational outcomes in Tasmania have been clear from the outset and extending high schools to years 11 and 12, initially in rural and remote areas, is pivotal and requires our high schools and colleges to work together.
The idea to offer this opportunity to all Tasmanian schools sooner than was anticipated was not driven by government - it was driven by communities.
Things are beginning to look up with the apparent retention rate now at 73.4 per cent and the TCE attainment rate of 50.8 per cent, but there is still a long way to go.
When it comes to education, the 'them and us' mentality must end. Working together, we will maximise the opportunities for our all our young people and colleges will continue to play an important role.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training.
SCOTTSDALE GROWTH
I VOLUNTEERED for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition over the weekend with Solar Citizens in Scottsdale. We talked to people about solar power and renewable energy jobs that could be created in Scottsdale if there was more investment in the industry.
Unfortunately people in Scottsdale saw renewable energy sources like solar and wind as out of their reach, too expensive or simply not available. If we want jobs and growth in Scottsdale why did Andrew Nikolic and the Liberal party gut $1 billion out of renewable investment?
Imagine the construction and operations jobs that could be created by solar and wind infrastructure development. Instead, Scottsdale remains in economic stagnation under a meaningless slogan with no policy underpinning it.