We just don’t want to think about them. 

To be realistic the only thing society is after is our money as bills and more bills come in and as many prices go up at a much greater rate than inflation, electricity, private health insurance, cafe meals, petrol and food. At the same time the age pension is slashed.

We are told to give to charities and say nice things about refugees, but there is a great gulf developing between the few very wealthy haves and the many have nots. It doesn’t enter the psyche of some as they dine in luxurious restaurants and go to holiday homes. There will be a judgement day and we are all equal in death.

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.

WHAT price integrity? Our parliamentarians are paid a good salary and then have virtually every imaginable expense beyond that met from the public purse.

These allowances cover travel for both the parliamentarian and other family members, accommodation, stationery, phone and mail costs, an office and all that involves.

Unfortunately too many members appear to see these allowances as entitlements, to be expended to the maximum degree. The only recourse we, the voters, have is to name and shame and try to remember the excessive trough-dipping come next election.

Parliamentarians must appreciate that they have given themselves allowances far beyond what the general public see as reasonable and should be frugal in their use.

Maybe it is time allowances were revised and brought into line with the work world generally, particularly those lifetime travel benefits many long retired politicians continue to utilise to the maximum degree.

Dick James, Launceston.

I NOTE some rather interesting comments in regard to the suggestion of "Tourist Plates" being applied to rental cars, these being from a Driving School Owner Mr Kolket (The Examiner Feature 6/1/17) and Mr Guy (Letters 6/1/17).

Mr Kolket states that a T Plate in a rental car will encourage theft, this also being the main concern of Mr Guy.

I find it rather amusing that it is law to display an L Plate for a learner driver so the motoring public can make allowances for such a new person to our roads and of course P Plates provide the same informatiout a T Plate is a target for theft. It is a very poor state that we live in when we measure the possibility of theft versus life.

I had the unfortunate job of assisting four internationals from their rental vehicle following their misjudgement and rolling down an embankment for some 10 metres. I asked of the young international driver what sort of car they had back home, answer, ‘Don't have a car’.

When asked what about drivers licence, answer, ‘Obtained from simulator’. I’ve got a real good idea: no Australian Drivers Licence, no driving on our roads.

If only we could encourage rental car companies to enforce that idea, or hire a local driver, we will be much safer. In the meantime, why not insist that every rental car driven by a non-Australian Drivers licence displays a T Plate. When the vehicle is parked the T Plate can be stored in the glovebox and not on display to encourage "theft" which appears to be everyone's concern and not the real issue of road trauma.

David Daking, Newstead.

IT DOES not matter what the problems are in Tasmania, be it health (Kentish Health Centre, Mersey Hospital etc) repairs to roads, bridges, buildings or anything else causing the general public to become upset.

If it does not worry a politician personally, the government could not care less.

Colin Knowles, Devonport.