Then we hear the councils telling us that our rates may have to increase because they will not get the dividends from TasWater.

It would be lovely if those of us on fixed incomes (such as the pension) and relying on our super to top that up, also had increases to pay for all these imposts on us.

With interest rates so low we get on return on our cash component and if facilities continue to increase above inflation then I feel there will be many unpaid bills in the future.

It's all very well to those in positions such as the CEO of TasWater, various mayors and so on to blithely increase the amount they want from all of us but they don't have to penny pinch to pay the bills.

I realise that our water and sewerage is third rate but surely the government should bear some responsibility and come to the party.

I TOTALLY disagree with the surgery and chemotherapy decision a pet owner has chosen for her 11-year-old bulldog (The Examiner, August 21).

The owner said “with chemo it would be six to 12 months so I thought, I may as well do what I can because I didn’t want to have to say goodbye in one or two weeks.”

With all respect, there are too many “I’s” in the owner’s statement. The post surgery/chemo picture of the bulldog by Fairfax Media saddens my soul.

WELL here we go with Opposition Leader Mr Bill Shorten going for parliament passing of this controversial bill.

No doubt Mr Shorten will call for this in the first week of sitting. I thought Malcolm Turnbull and the LNP won the election?

I would have thought ,that would have given them a mandate for a plebiscite?

The vote of all Australians is necessary on this issue, as I believe if it is pushed through the parliament by politicians that the people of Australia did not vote for at the last election it will be a farce.

Mr Shorten doesn't realise, he lost the election, but I have no doubt he will call for “A no confidence vote in the PM or the government " in the first few days. 

Same sex marriage is a national concern and should be voted on that way.

A WEEK or something ago, the University of Tasmania had an open day at its Newnham campus.

I do wonder if during this time as people wandered around if anyone informed them that the governing body intended to close this campus down and sell it off to the highest bidder?

Having been attending the music school at Newnham campus, I have found it to be a great venue and in wonderful condition. Many of the buildings out there are really not that old, a bit younger than I am.

Our city councillors should take a trip out there, they then  may realise what a sad mistake they have made being complicit in the university plan to move to Inveresk. 

Fire up the Bulldozers.

DURING the criticism of the Australian’s team performances in Rio I think that we have lost sight of the principles of these games.

Taking part is more important than winning. 

In this area they performed admirably and perhaps should be rewarded with a ninth gold medal for embracing the true Olympic spirit