While here in Tasmania, the state government continues to drag its heels introducing appropriate cat management legislation which, it is hoped, will implement regulations to reduce feral cats (if not totally eliminate them).

Meanwhile, certain local councils, such as West Tamar and Launceston, appear extremely reluctant to use their own initiative by introducing suitable by-laws in an effort to alleviate the problem on a local basis.

According to Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff, the Cat Management Act 2009 permits local government to “make bylaws under the Local Government Act 1993 relating to the management of cats within its municipal area (section 43):’’ yet most Tasmanian local councils fail to take advantage of this opportunity.

How much longer does Tasmania have to wait to enable it to participate in fulfilling its essential role in ridding Australia of this most heinous feline scourge?

CONGRATULATIONS to the Friends of the 2/40th Battalion in their achievements in gaining recognition of these soldiers. However, Ron Stone’s statement (The Examiner, February 17) that all the men were either killed or became prisoners of war is incorrect.

My late father was a proud member of the 2/40th and was in hospital at the time of the Japanese invasion.  Along with other men, he escaped into the Timorese jungle and began a life on the run that lasted nine months and a story of courage, survival and mateship.

He assisted in building “Winnie”, a radio transmitter (now in National War Memorial).

When communication was established with mainland Australia, it was not believed who they were as it had been assumed every man in the unit had been killed or captured.

Apparently this misconception still exists.

I WOULD like to thank those who organised the inaugural suicide prevention event at the Greenwood Bar in Launceston.

They brought together some of Tasmania's most talented poets and musicians. These performers are passionate about coming together to raise awareness of mental issues, ss well as well as holding out a hand to those who maybe struggling due to abuse, bullying and social isolation.

CONSIDERING the drug overdoses at a music festival in Melbourne recently, is it not about time those participants choosing to monopolise our hospitals by wasting unnecessary medical professionals time and preventing genuine medical cases from receiving attention, paid the full cost of their irresponsible actions.

The use of ambulances, paramedics, nurses, doctors and bed occupancy costs taxpayers dearly.

In anticipation of do-gooders who will no doubt respond with, "what about smokers and alcoholics", I neither condone their actions but, their drugs are legal.

“HOME of Hope” not viable in Meander. Unable to fund themselves, Teen Challenge Tasmania’s hopes for a home at the Meander Primary School is on shaky ground.

In spite of being given a school for free, they needed to seek $1 million from the state government to “secure sustainability”. Teen Challenge Tasmania needs to find a cheaper site.