This promise was honoured openly and transparently: a consultant engaged, independent of government; terms of reference personally negotiated between myself and Mrs Baker’s group; public surveys; stakeholder meetings; and a public forum to allow review of the early findings.

After all this goodwill, to now describe the final report as ‘flawed’ only denies the truth of the situation I must explain as both Minister for Health and a decade-long advocate for palliative care as Member for Bass.

The report found that the up to 25 palliative care beds available across the Northern region substantially exceeds the 2015 Palliative Care Australia guidelines for our projected population to 2035.The 'potential feasibility' would depend on the closure of the rural palliative care suites or the Melwood Unit at St Lukes Hospital, which is used for palliative patients who do not have private health insurance.  

Either of these closures would be totally unacceptable. So as the report recommends, my view is that we must ensure that all palliative care services are better understood and utilised.This reality is very difficult to argue against, even if disappointing. The promise of a feasibility study back in 2014, came as a great relief to the hospice group and was exactly what had been asked for.

Being taken seriously by the Liberal Government followed years of ridicule and dismissal by the former Green-Labor Government. With my focus on fixing the health system, I will always look for ways to improve palliative care in Northern Tasmania, together with our other health improvements and increasing LGH service areas that are many years overdue.

Mr Michael Ferguson, Health Minister.

AS AN alternative to the Waterloo Point, Swansea Idea/Development, may I suggest a Busselton (Western Australian) type solution, where a long jetty could be constructed near the existing boat ramp at Swansea, with marina type facilities radiating from the main jetty alongside accommodation pods.

With regional development funding a priority for the Federal, State and Local Governments, a Public Private Partnership or Triple P, would be an enormous boost for the area. As the former long jetty at Swansea fell into disrepair during the 1960's, the paradigm was to dismantle it due to public safety.

The same scenario was faced by the town of Busselton, in the 1980's, with a different paradigm, where community spirit was enacted to save the jetty, and funding for the project was sought as part of a Bicentenary Project. The town is now renowned for its jetty, history and associated pursuits of fishing and leisurely walks.

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.

I WOULD like to comment on Mr Gordon Thurlow’s letter (The Examiner, February 4). I agree totally with Mr Thurlow with his summing up of Bill Shorten’s address. The other thing that was very noticeable if you watched both Turnbull and Shortens addresses.

Is that one stands out as somebody knowing what they want to say without notes, and the other reading every word, getting his actions and expressions mixed while trying to show conviction while talking about apprenticeships and trades, because he knows that is where union members and dues, and the income is sourced for reps cars, reps, conferences, meetings and so on.  

Oh and the Labor Party.

No, it wasn't Turnbull who had to have notes.

It stood out like a sore thumb, the difference between a successful businessman and an ex-union hack.

Steve Rogers, South Launceston.