Driving behaviour
I ENDORSE Sam Lee's sentiments entirely however, I believe the penalties for text messaging while driving should be on par at least with drink-driving penalties. In fact first offence - three months loss of license; accident caused by messaging - loss of license for minimum of 12 months; accident causing loss of life - 5 years jail minimum. Texting while driving is an accident waiting to happen.
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John King, Deloraine.
Change of place names
WHAT a positive step the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and the Tasmanian Aboriginal community are making with the support of the state government to have insensitive and derogatory name places changed to palawa kani names.
The Aboriginal community has waited many years for these changes to happen and what a wonderful and positive initiative it is. Let’s hope there are more name changes in the future.
Di Spotswood, Launceston.
Legislative Council
I WOULD like to thank everyone who believed in and voted for me in the recent election. I enjoyed every day on the campaign trail, especially meeting so many people across Launceston who have great ideas for positive progress for Launceston.
I have been humbled by the generous support and sharing of stories, vision, concerns and ideas. Congratulations to Rosemary Armitage on being re-elected for another six years to the seat of Launceston in the Legislative Council and I would like to thank all other candidates for running positive campaigns.
I have heard concerns from so many people about access to our health system, which has motivated me to continue fighting for our health services. Consequently I have returned to my role as state secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. I look forward to continuing to represent nurses, midwives and care staff as they strive to provide excellent care to fellow Tasmanians who are in need of health care.
Neroli Ellis, East Launceston.
LGBTQI education
IN RESPONSE to Mrs Bates' letter (The Examiner, May 13), I must disagree emphatically with her conclusions on LGBTQI and cyber safety education. LGBTQI education is important, as it is during the early teenage years that our children become aware of their sexuality.
They need to know that the feelings they experience in this time is not abnormal, and if they wish to identify outside of traditional gender ideologies then they are free to do so. Sexuality is not a choice, and knowledge of LGBTQI issues does not increase the likelihood of LGBTQI children.
Regarding the teaching of cyber safety in school’s technology and social media, let's be frank. Social media is here to stay. So, instead of blaming it for bullying, let's acknowledge it for what it really is, a new way for people to bully and let’s educate our kids to help them prevent and stop cyber bullying.
LGBTQI and social media education is important because our children’s lives are important. Bullying and sexuality disapproval leads to depressed and suicidal children. So, let’s not shun our children based on their very normal want to love and be loved. Education increases understanding, so let’s get educated.
Benjamin Dudman, Westbury.
Bank tax error
I REFER to the letter from David Parker concerning the proposed Bank Tax (The Examiner, May 18) and believe a correction is warranted. Mr Parker correctly says that if senior bank officials would forgo “their obscene bonuses” it would provide $6.2 million for the government tax. Unfortunately a bit more is needed as the proposed tax is $6.2 billion – a thousand times more.
