Reason: Properly informed and principled republican candidates could unfortunately be deterred from even standing for election if, when elected, they were required to pledge allegiance to a monarch of multiple countries. Issues of entrenched discrimination on the basis of political belief and the need for good governance are important and can be addressed concurrently with economic, social and environmental issues. 

Staff are employed so that multiple priorities can be addressed. More and better candidates might also lead to better solutions to the state’s problems.

Mark Webb, Launceston.

THANK YOU, Glennis Sleurink (The Examiner, November 16) for raising the absurdity of MPs voting contrary to the majority of their electorate. Surely a negation of democracy. A violation of the master servant relationship. 

He who pays the piper must call the tune. The vote in parliament must be an acknowledgement of the voice of the people in a democracy in which the majority rules.  

The notion that parliament can impose its will upon the electorate is both odious and dangerous.The question has been taken to the marketplace and the majority opinion must rule. 

As individuals we may have objections to the majority view, and such a luxury must be enjoyed even by members of parliament, but they are servants of their electorate and must bow to the majority will and vote accordingly.

They may in a proverbial fashion always vote at their party's call and never think of thinking for themselves at all, but in this instance their votes are directed and commanded by the democratically sacred voice of the majority. 

Len Langan, Longford.

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest appreciation. It is a long list and if you bear with me then you will know why.

The appreciation and heartfelt thanks goes out to all nurses, your care and extra mile in helping others have not gone unnoticed, not by me and not by many.

To all our wonderful ambulance, police, SES, and fire men and women who risk their lives to serve and help protect us in times of need; to all the volunteers who selflessly give their time to help others you are wonderful and blessed with a special heart; to all of those lovely disability support workers who support those with disabilities, give them a voice and the care of their everyday needs; and to our doctors who go that extra mile for their patients to ensure their health is at its best it can be, I say: you have not gone unnoticed, not by me and not by many. 

Have I left anyone out? 

I have left the best for last, our aged care and palliative care workers, this is something extra special, not only do you care for the elderly and those who need palliative care, but you are caring for our mother and fathers, uncle and aunties. 

You may be the last person they see, and for those who care for our aged, I thank you, and you certainly have not gone unnoticed not by me, and not by many, especially those who entrust you with their loved one’s final journeys. 

Please forgive me if I have left you out. 

I know sometimes it feels that there are no thanks in what you do, maybe you think the mistakes are always noticed more than the good and extra miles you have done. 

But it has not. Not by me and not by many. Thank you for the bottom of my heart to all of you. I just thought you might like to hear it.

Christine Varga, Myrtle Bank.

THE PRIME Minister’s recent comments that he “has never had so much fun before” reminds me of the good old saying “If you can keep your head whilst those around you are losing theirs, you obviously do not understand the gravity of the situation”.

A. Carter, Mowbray.

IF LAUNCESTON’S CBD is again this year relying on Christmas trade to balance the books, then why not get on board and decorate your shops? 

I remember as a young lad when it was a pleasure to go down town in the weeks leading up to Christmas, with all the glitter and music in the shops. Cox Brothers (now Myer) had the huge Santa Claus on the outside wall with his moving finger beckoning you to come in and browse - a sheer delight. 

The City of Launceston is at least doing something for the CBD with its decorations, and with a little effort by businesses it can be the place to be this Christmas.

Robert Lee, Summerhill.

AT THE Stan Siejka Cycling Classic, before the elite event, the public was asked to stand for the national anthem and we were treated to a lovely rendition of the anthem by Macey Stewart. It was disappointing that many spectators chose not to stand. So ungrateful. So disrespectful. So pathetic.

John Frankling, Launceston.

SUSTAINABLE Timber Tasmania. They certainly do not live up to their new title. 

Yet another profitless year and now they have logged a coupe, which ornithologists have been monitoring for years and was the habitat for the endangered swift parrot. 

It takes about 120 years for hollows to appear in old trees, which the birds need for nesting sites. These sites also have to have access to the varieties of flowering gums which are the parrots’ food supplies. 

So why are we still maintaining an industry that constantly makes a loss and denigrates the environment?

Estelle Ross, Riverside.