It was interesting to compare a previous National Cat Show that I went to some years back in the city of Launceston where the cats seemed to be stressed and mostly under the nice coverings and pillows in their cages, this time there were very few in this stress. They were out and either looking to see what was going on or sleeping in full view. It was such a difference.

Robin Walker, South Launceston.

THERE is suggestions within the government of extending their time in parliament from three years to a fixed term of four years. The Senate sits for double the term of the parliament by way of the constitution, which would extend their time to eight years. An alternative put forward is all senators go to the polls at the same time bringing them into line with the government and a four year term also. Sounds more realistic and with fixed terms there will be more time for the elected government to get things working. 

David Parker, West Launceston.

I FELT truly sorry for the lady who was the recipient of road rage in Kings Meadows recently. As I turned into Opossum Road past McDonald’s, the traffic was banked up at the intersection, which is a frequent occurrence these days. A man in a large vehicle on the southern side of Opossum Road had obviously been trying to get into the line of traffic.

While I didn’t witness what gave rise to his anger, I did hear him shout out, as did everyone else in the vicinity, “Have some courtesy you f…..g old b…h!” He could have ended his tirade at “courtesy”, and that would have been sufficient to make his point without showing him to be a rude, abusive person.

Val Clarke, Kings Meadows.

WE ARE becoming a society obsessed with dying. The constant stream of back-to-back promotions for funeral insurances on our televisions is seriously depressing. These have become more repetitive than the programs. Surely enough is enough. Clearly we all know that these services are available as surely as we know that we must all die.

These policies are obviously highly profitable to the companies offering them and able to pay the enormous cost of their advertising screen time. Is it time for them to give us a break so that we can concentrate on the joys of living rather than the cost of dying. It is time for decency to prevail and for these dreary, depressing invasions to cease.

Len Langan, Longford.

IF THE government were serious about helping small business, then it would work with councils and stakeholders to bring down the cost of renting premises in the CBD and acquire discounted rates for fledgling businesses trying to carve out a spot in the market.

These are practical things that would help “real” small businesses no end, especially somewhere like Launceston. What won’t help is giving the larger portion of taxpayers $60 billion to businesses who are already successful.

The general consensus now is that this is a dumb idea. But I would go further and say that it’s lazy as it passes the onus onto someone else. The mob who proposed this are the same people who consistently jump up and down and tell us that simply throwing money at hospitals and schools won’t fix the problems. The only way any government is going to create jobs is by creating demand.

Cody Handley, Hadspen.

I AM still waiting for someone who supports a plebiscite on marriage equality to explain to me why this issue should go to a public vote but not dozens of even more important proposals? For example, if we vote on allowing same-sex couples to be treated equally why not vote on voluntary euthanasia or new trade treaties or sending soldiers to war? For years opponents of marriage equality said it was a tenth order issue not important enough for Parliament to worry about.

But now they say it's so important we have to spend tens of millions of dollars on a public vote. Until someone can account for the inconsistencies in the case for a plebiscite I will assume it's just a way to delay a reform that Parliament could pass tomorrow if it was allowed to do its job and vote.

Rodney Croome, South Hobart.

THE federal government has refused to release details of why it is giving $30 million of taxpayer dollars over four years to News Corporation's, Fox Sports, effectively leaving the public in the dark over the issue. Well wouldn't you know, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has declined to comment (which seems to be standard procedure by politicians when asked difficult questions).

Yet by his action it has become another classic case of lack of transparency, which in the public's eye is totally unacceptable. Interestingly, News Corporation's major shareholders are Australian, Rupert Murdoch, American John Malone and Saudi Prince, Alwaleed Bin Talal. You can't tell me they're in need of a quid.

Robert Lee, Summerhill.

I NOTE the article in (The Examiner, July 24) about the new police dog called Fang. An unfortunate name; those of us of a certain vintage, or who watch the reruns of Get Smart will remember Fang as the spy dog who whimpered and  ran away whenever there was trouble.

Dr Philip  Dawson, George Town.