Electricity Costs
POWER in Tasmania consumes a higher percentage of the household budget than in any other state (The Examiner, August 11). South Australia is the next highest yet these two states are the most dependent on renewable energy.
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At the same time, there is pressure to adopt electric cars despite the RACT 2017 vehicle operating cost survey showing it costs $500 a week to run an all electric Tesla Model X compared to a BMW 5.2 diesel turbo at $404 and $204 for a large SUV.
The price of electricity has risen 116 per cent over the past 10 years despite massive subsidies for renewable energy. Governments seem to abandon economic common sense to be politically correct and to avoid upsetting the minor parties who unfortunately have the balance of power.
Robin Claxton, Dilston.
Airport Parking
JUST A warning to anyone leaving their car at the airport. We arrived back after 10 days in the sun, on a rather chilly night, to find that our keyless entry car wouldn't let us in, let alone a thief. It seems that if cars like ours are left too close to the terminal the electrics get a problem. Thank heavens for phones and a marshall willing to charge me out and jump start the cars. Ours wasn't the only one with problems. Let's hope that people we know who have left their car there for six weeks don't have the same problem.
Glennis Sleurink, Launceston.
Okehampton Bay
IN FEBRUARY 2015, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment released a framework policy applicable to developmental fisheries activities. In it it states: "A major and increasingly important issue in advancing developmental fishing activities is an expectation that the government can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the community of the environmental sustainability and social acceptability of that activity". This framework policy they boasted about on the State Fisheries Facebook page and the Premier’s website, this being the case, why is the government defying the wishes of the majority of the community and shunning this framework policy that they so passionately embraced?
Federal environmental approval given to Okehampton Bay strongly suggests that other areas of the East Coast are suitable for salmon farming yet the government has ruled out any more development. Unfortunately for the majority of the community governments don't like the look of backing down even when they haven't got it right.
Ian Fitch, George Town.
Politics and Media
IT APPEARS lately we have problems with reporting important issues. Just recently, to remind the readers as what I am talking about, was the issue of six health vehicles not registered for one week and a politician and union saying the system was in crisis. I don't think they have any idea as to what a crisis is. Then the lockdown in our jail causing shortage of linen and one green little frog in the bananas. The media and politicians trying to make a milestone out of it. Can they please print and report important issues, but no repeats, thank you.
Julian Oosterloo, Riverside.
Same-sex Marriage
Prime Minister MALCOLM Turnbull is a disgrace to the position he holds, the party he leads and all Australians. He is using the public as a scapegoat in the matter of same-sex marriage. If the public vote no he will be all sympathy and sickly smiles to gay couples - if the public votes yes and this bill is passed he will say it was out of his hands. Whichever way the public vote goes no dirt will stick to Mr Turnbull.
It should not be down to a public vote - are we so superior to gay people that we have the right to decide how they live their lives - no I don't think so. The bill should be passed and let us all get on with our lives.