This increase is not  acceptable to the working public who are repeatedly compelled through EBA industrial agreements to do more with less resources. This is largely brought about by international market pressures, a fact we can't escape, just ask Saul Eslake, an economist we trust.

I suggest a productivity gain to produce an outcome suitable to both the lower house and the public, that is abolish the Legislative Council and increase the lower house numbers to 35, producing a saving of five seats, equating to $650,000 per year, plus the cost of staff, plus the cost of elections. 

Remember the population governed by Tasmania’s two houses of parliament is no greater than many municipal councils on the northern island. 

Also consider both Queensland and New Zealand have only one house of parliament.

Would all politicians refrain from suggesting a lower house increase until they are prepared to promote a broader reform package, worthy of our consideration.

Robert Cripps, Hawley.

IN LIGHT of International Workers’ Memorial Day (April 28), workers around the country are being encouraged to focus on their safety practices as we remember those who have lost their lives in the workplace.

While safety should be a priority every day of the year, time constraints and other pressures often prevent workers from putting their safety first, a trend that we must not allow to continue. 

Slater and Gordon recently commissioned a survey of 1000 people which found 42 per cent of workers had agreed to take on a task at work they believed was unsafe.

Alarmingly, of these respondents, 54 per cent said they undertook an unsafe task because of pressures from their boss (30 per cent) or fear of losing their job (24 per cent).

As a workers compensation lawyer, I am alarmed by these figures after seeing firsthand how a serious or fatal injury can affect the lives of Tasmanian families, their colleagues and the wider community.

Let’s make every effort to look out for ourselves and our colleagues on International Workers’ Memorial Day and every day following to ensure we return safely to our families.

Emma White, Slater and Gordon Practice group leader.

IN REPLY to Len Langan’s letter (The Examiner, April 9), whatever our belief, the more things change, the more they arrogantly stay the same.

It’s more than 2000 years since Jesus trashed the Temple, outraged by corruption within church and state. My childhood was filled with wonderful stories of Jesus. Yes, Mr Langan, that over-vocal, misplaced, esoteric, agitating, eccentric minority of his time.

Socially engineered by the Anglican Church to follow the teachings of Jesus. Be kind, gentle and outraged by inhumanity, wherever that inhumanity may hide. Like many children of the universe, or God, whatever our belief, we find our own place in the world, grounded in those wonderful socially engineered teachings of Jesus.

Deb Johnston-Andrews, Newnham.

DO WE really want people like Nick McKim and Cassy O’Connor representing our interests in Parliament? Yes we do, Michael Scott (The Examiner, April 16). They strip away the “pollie-waffle” euphemism and say it as it is.

I am surprised by the reaction of the log truck drivers. The felt so personally attacked by Ms O’Connor, when all she was doing was stating a fact. The more log trucks on the road, the more chance of accidents involving them.

Elsa de Ruyter, St Helens.