What a cynical farce.

For years the MAIB promoted a training subsidy for all registered Tassie riders of $150 per head.

In reality limited riders only ever  did the course each year. I know, I tried for three years to enrol, hitting red tape and excuses.

I note Tasmania also has no single rider cheaper motorbike regos that some other states offer.

It would best assist young learners and P-platers the most, maybe giving them a cheaper way to get to work or study.

Instead of raising costs MAIB, here’s an idea, give back the unused millions that riders paid for over the years.

Conveniently a new whizz-bang PR training package has been announced.

The old failed scheme and its masses of pool funds are conveniently  a thing of the past for the organisers.

Sadly,  one of our rider accidents might have been reduced if they’d got some of this training they were entitled to through their registration dollars.

Often one item learnt could be the one that gets you out of a risky situation.

Multiply that by the thousands of entitled riders who could have done similar.

Motorcycle safety surely must have been improved? 

A full review of the automatic rises in view of the above multi million  dollars lost to registered riders should happen ASAP.

By the Tasmanian Economic Regulator, or a government enquiry.

Past Tasmanian registered riders are owed this money, either as refunds or cheaper future registrations.

Nick Moore, Perth.

JUST A quick thought regarding the topic of jail overcrowding at the Risdon facility and the talk of a Northern prison. 

How about we redevelop the Ashley Youth Detention Centre site near Deloraine?

Surely with what is already there it would have to cost less – at least the fence is already up.

It is central for the North-West, North-East and Launceston.

Given the last-released numbers of juveniles being held was less than the number of staff to run the place, it would ensure those there would have a job in the future, as well as providing a jobs kick in the north through the rebuild stage. 

And why could it not have a section for juvenile offenders still?

Come on government, don't waste money with studies and plans just get in and do it.

John Collins, Perth.

IT IS disappointing to lose Stephen Parry as a senator for Tasmania and I wish him well.

As President of the Senate we did not hear him debate issues, but he was a considered and calming influence in leading the Senate.

I was fortunate enough to hear Mr Parry speak at a local function a number of years ago.

His talk opened my eyes to the Senate review legislation and restored my faith in our democratic processes.

He also did not denigrate politicians or policies from other parties.

Around the country we have lost strong representatives from the Greens, One Nation and the Nationals through this dual citizenship debacle.

How is it that back in 1992 or 1993, following the Sykes sv Cleary case, it was fine for Tasmanian ALP Senator Nick Sherry and some 15 other members of parliament to renounce their dual citizenship and remain in parliament but today’s generation of politicians must resign?

Is it that back then we as a nation were more tolerant and pragmatic?

Tony Gray, Launceston.

WHILE J.A., Tahir (The Examiner, October 30) says Ceil Neil Guy’s letter regarding the use of vehicle headlights in rain missed an excellent opportunity of adding the use of headlights in thick fog, J.A. Tahir also missed an excellent opportunity of highlighting road safety.

Always set your headlights on low beam in thick fog, as high beam, or worse still, driving lights will reflect back into your eyes and you’ll actually see less.

Better still, fit a set of yellow-tinted fog lamps. They will not help you see further ahead in thick fog but will be visible at a further distance for oncoming motorists.

A.R. Trounson, Needles.

OUR GOVERNMENT has now implemented its threat to cut off food, water and all services to the former prison camp at Manus for male refugees. 

After keeping these men in prison for years (for committing no crime) they have now been abandoned in a hostile environment, in a Papua New Guinea community that does not want them and was never consulted about taking them. This is beyond belief as an abuse of human rights. If this situation erupts (as it very well may) our government (and also the opposition) will not have a shred of an excuse to hide behind. 

How many people have to die before people wake up to what is going on?  

Anne Brelsford, Legana.

TWO RECENT fatalities with pedestrians crossing busy roads should be a warning for all of us, especially those with reduced mobility.  I recall an advertisement of several years ago with the caption ‘It’s closer than you think’. This was a warning to the elderly about crossing roadways. 

Our impatience is often our biggest problem. Waiting until the road is completely clear may involve half a minute of waiting, which in the totality of things is a very short period of time.  Or to walk to a crossing controlled by lights is again just a few moments extra. Unfortunately traffic doesn’t usually give pedestrians a second chance.

Dick James, Launceston.