Solving homelessness
THE Finnish government solved the homelessness problem, by building homes, and found that cost less overall. We could apply that simple solution to homelessness in Tasmania.
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The Icelandic government has just passed a law that requires equal pay for equal work. We could pass a law like that in Tasmania, and go one step further.
We could legislate to require full employment, with a government employment guarantee that pays the minimum wage.
This would solve the unemployment problem overnight, as well as under-employment, and the plague of low wages, because companies would have to pay at least the minimum wage, to attract workers.
Imagine how much we would save on Centrelink, with all citizens able to work, and more taxes would be paid, so the tax level could be lower.
To work, a government employment guarantee may need to be national, but as a community, all businesses in Tasmania could be invited to work with government to make it happen. This would be really good for business, as everyone would have money to buy goods and services. And that would be the end of poverty in Tasmania.
This would work best as a national scheme, but why shouldn't Tasmania lead the way with Nordic style innovation.
Kim Peart, Ross.
Big Picture on Pokies
NEWLY-MINTED pokies crusader, David Foster, wears blinkers when supporting retention of pokies in pubs and clubs (The Examiner, January 8).
There is no evidence beyond hype from the pokies lobby that jobs would be lost in the hospitality industry upon their removal.
Rather, evidence from independent studies suggests new jobs would be created using the millions presently taken from Tasmania via the gaming monopoly.
While Mr Foster deplores possible restrictions on wasting his money feeding pokies, he ignores evidence from both ACOSS's Tim Costello and the CWA, who are brave enough to detail the damage caused by pokies to our society.
The cumulative impact of pokies on Tasmanian society is wholly negative, whether in terms of shattered lives through pokies addiction, lost employment opportunities when 'discretionary' money is sucked out of our economy, or violence directly attributable to addicts' need for extra cash.
Peter Gutwein's objection to restriction of pokies to casinos rings hollow when his own government funds TV commercials warning that gambling on pokies is pre-destined to financial failure.
The social cost is far more disturbing.
Bruce Lindsay, Longford.
Aurora refund
I WAS very pleased to read that Seniors and Concession Card holders here in Tasmania were going to receive a cheque of $125 courtesy of Aurora by way of the state government.
Believing I met the eligibility criteria and despite the setback via Westpac, not having received anything I contacted Guy Barnett’s office and the Premiers Department.
After some communication exchanges with the Premiers department, I was told that I did meet the criteria and could expect a cheque.
A week or so later I received a telephone call from Guy Barnett’s office saying I was not eligible.
It seems that seniors means retirees holding a Commonwealth Senior card and even though I do hold a Concession (Health Care) Card, I did not meet the criteria.
So I have two opposing opinions.
One wonders how the state government functions if one department doesn't know what the other department is doing (or saying) which doesn't give me much faith in them.
I suspect this will reflect upon my vote in the forthcoming election.
Craig Cahill, Blessington.
Integration
I READ in The Examiner regarding the co-location of the Launceston General Hospital and local private hospitals. It is a brilliant idea. But will it eventually happen?
As we already know the way that the council and heritage people dither it is most unlikely to occur anytime soon. Where it would be built has to be carefully thought out. A major concern even today is the car parking, of which many complaints have been heard in the past. Meaning lack of.
I suppose the park in Howick Street could be used so that existing facilities could still operate. I hardly ever see anybody using the park
Cecil Neil Guy, Youngtown.
Spades or Hearts
ONE is not sure why Deb Johnson- Andrews (The Examiner, January 5) suggests that one's vision is myopic. Oscar Wilde responded to a question of spades by saying "I am glad that I have never seen a spade" and if their multi-facetted dimensional qualities confuse us we should avoid them at all costs. It is as pointless as looking at clouds from both sides.
With whatsoever pure of heart one takes a look at the refugee problem, the facts still prohibit the actions desired by the heart of their sleeves brigade.
Our government has stated and set our national policy on this question and we have no reason to feel anything but pride in our national contribution to this world wide problem. We are and have always pulled above our weight in this tormented and troubling arena.
Len Langan, Longford.
Freycinet National Park
CRUISE ships in Freycinet National Park is not what Tasmania is about (The Examiner, January 11). What is Tasmania about? Closed for business?
Davis Seecamp, Trevallyn.
Reducing pesticides
OFTEN I have hear about all these electronic devices to repell insects within the home. Now with solar, be good for some company to put solar with electronic repellers, and put them out with the crops