Cancer causes
FROM what we are being told, just about everything causes cancer and now it is hot drinks, tea and coffee.
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Such statements are making people just about paranoid regarding their eating habits and I feel such sweeping statements should not be made and are alarmist.
In my opinion, the only really major causes of cancer are smoking and with melanoma, sunlight. Statistically speaking, by far the most dangerous thing we do is go to bed, over 85 per cent of people die in a bed.
Malcolm Scott, Newstead.
BILL Shorten
WHEN Bill Shorten was asked on Q&A if he would consider a treaty with Aboriginal people, his reply was a simple “yes’’. Everyone, including the presenter, was flabbergasted. Here was a politician giving a short, unambiguous answer to a question. Unheard of.
Malcolm Turnbull’s reaction to this unprecedented display of candidness was to accuse Mr Shorten of being undisciplined. Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he?
He and his colleagues have been coached so thoroughly by their advisors to stick to the script that if you asked them what they had for breakfast they’d probably say jobs and growth.
W. J. Greer, Beauty Point.
Learner drivers
MANY accidents could be avoided if Tasmanian learner drivers were taught the rule applied in Canada for distance between moving vehicles. The rule is one car-length for every 10km/h of speed.
Easy to remember and incredibly effective.
Virginia Wright, West Launceston.
LGH
THE Liberals aim to cut $54 billion from national hospitals over the next decade (2013-14 federal budget), leaving longer waiting lists for elective surgery, and a higher death toll for those who require accident and emergency treatment.
Locally, this means that the Launceston General Hospital will have $320 million cut from its budget over the next decade.
The already critically underfunded hospital shall become even more crippled due to the federal cuts the Liberals wishes to instate.
Jackson Bowen, South Launceston.
Immigrants
HAVING just returned from Italy, I am briefly detailing observations on the boat people from the Sudan area.
In front of the Milan railway station, a 50m walk involved going past 72 persons, male, estimated age 17-38, behaving in an intolerant manner, urinating on the flower beds in full view of all (toilets about 80m away).
The Christian church nearby has had to put locks and chains with a high security fence around it to stop the immigrants from using the grounds as a toilet.
Before opening shops of a morning, the owners have to hose down their front premises and the footpath to get rid of the smell and mess. This problem also applied in a nice residential area.
The local population are fed up with this ongoing problem and expressed strong support for what the Australian government has done to protect their borders.
Unfortunately Australia has had to spend now in excess of $15 billion (and still counting) to fix the problem Labor and the Greens created. This money would have been welcome by all towards health and so on.
Ian Peck, Launceston.
Sewerage
MY WIFE and I recently returned from a holiday in New Zealand. While in Auckland, I asked our tour guide if any sewerage is discharged into the beautiful harbour.
He replied that no sewerage is discharged into the harbour, rather it is pumped up north where it is treated and you can almost drink the end product. If only Launceston was the same.
David Poxon, South Launceston.
HOSPITAL
I AND my wife had occasion to go to the emergency department. After waiting we were attended to. I commented to my wife that I would not like to work there as the staff would have been physically, mentally and emotionally drained by day’s end, and that they must eventually become burnt out because of the excessive pressure.
Now that was 10 years ago. Here we have the Health Minister Michael Ferguson, who would well know that there is and has been an under-resourcing issue. After all, a big enough fuss was made about this when they were in opposition.
The blame game, suggesting that it is a union stunt because there is an election on just doesn't stand up. I'm surprised it took so long for this to blow up.
People don't resign their employment because they have a bad day. I get the impression many of our politicians are there to serve their own alter egos first; then comes being a good party yes man and their constituents come last.
This only applies if your opinion coincides with their own, otherwise you’re a unionist or a troublemaker, in which case they do not want to know you.
Fortunately your constituents choose you, you do not get to choose your constituents.
Neil White, Riverside.
Power RISE
I MAY be missing something here but one question: if the power goes up in Victoria why is that justification for our power costs to rise? Interesting.
Glennis Sleurink, Launceston.
headlights
IN THE interest of road safety, I urge all motorists to please take the time to check your vehicle’s lights. Every day I see cars with tail lights and brake lights not working.
J. Bishop, Newnham.
ELECTION LETTERS
Letters commenting on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s), and a day telephone number for verification purposes only.
Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by Fairfax Tasmania group managing editor Mark Baker, 113 Cimitiere Street, Launceston.
Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations. Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.