Indonesia
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I WOULD be extremely surprised if Indonesian President Joko Widodo backs down over the executions.
It is because of the concept that is hugely important in Asia - to ``lose face”.
It is practically unknown in the west, Australian politicians backdown frequently, seemingly.
— MALCOLM SCOTT, Newstead.
Crime
TWENTY months jail for mercilessly assaulting a two-year-old?
A father who planned to murder his two sons, appealing for a lighter sentence?
Ask the public what they think.
How do we explain to the children the reason we are not protecting them?
Do time for the crime - the innocent have no choice.
— S. JONES, Devonport.
Tourism
SINCE Christmas we have had people staying or visiting, and a review of their letters of thanks reveals several shared impressions.
All had been all over the state.
First, the effort and polite, friendly and helpful attitude of people at every level made it clear that all Tasmanians accept they are part of the “tourism industry”.
Second, the care with which everyone tends “their patch” is commendable.
Finally, all have commented on the “value for money” of local produce and local services.
So take a bow Tasmanians. You are doing well.
— R. M. BAIRD, Campbell Town.
Spirit of Tas
I RECEIVED an email today from the Spirit of Tasmania, stating the upcoming upgrades of both vessels, but I failed to see any lengthening of either ship or extra car spaces allocated.
For most of the summer, if you don't book in advance by a month you can’t get a car space, let alone a caravan space.
If you are lucky enough to get a space, you can’t afford the cabin.
They advertise there is no queuing at the airport, but have a look at the wharf two hours prior to sailing.
Millions of tax payers dollars waisted again.
— DENISE WATERS, Tomahawk.
Cats
I WOULD like to comment on the control of the cat population in this state.
Nearly all livestock and animals in Tassie are required to be identified such as horses tattooed and registered; beef and dairy cattle ear tagged, sheep and goats similar, domestic animals such as dogs, licenced; pigeons and probably other birds are ringed and recorded, whereas the humble tabby cat, which is probably the most destructive animal imported into Australia apart from the rabbit, is let loose night and day to roam and appease their natural instincts.
Anyone who has bushwalked or hunted and has come across a feral cat, which is usually larger and more aggressive than the ones that live in our home, will find that they stand up to you and refuse to budge.
Our backyards and fences become warfare grounds to be fought over or controlled and the freshly weeded garden bed become their toilet.
Is there a politician worth their salt to finally do something constructive and introduce some laws to inhibit these domestic pets?
— ANTHONY W. GALVIN, Mayfield.
Windermere
Windermere MLC Ivan Dean (Letters, March 12) stood by while the Liberal State Government made cuts to schools, hospitals and other essential services.
If Mr Dean believes that cutting two teachers from every state school (which means larger class sizes and programs like music, language and art axed) will lead to more opportunities for the people of Windermere, then he is greatly mistaken.
We must invest in education because it creates opportunities for our young people, leads to better retention rates and better social and economic outcomes.
Let's invest in our kids’ education and in turn invest in jobs.
— JENNIFER HOUSTON, Labor Candidate for Windermere.
Tony Abbott
I READ with bemusement Carmen Frelek's letter of March 10, defending Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Having worked in media management in Canberra for several years, I am in a position to know this area.
Mr Abbott repeats his lines endlessly: his recent Press Club address was virtually the same speech delivered twice.
And while many politicians repeat themselves to try to emphasise a point, certain of them go beyond this.
Mr Abbott is media managed, in detail, to avoid him being placed in situations where he has to think on his feet.
He refused to submit to an appearance on the ABC's Q and A program.
Repeating himself is part of this: politicians know a television or radio show will only have a certain allocation of time for an interview.
They know 'question time' after a Press Club speech will only last about 10 minutes.
What Mr Abbott does is run this time down. He repeats himself. He speaks very slowly. He 'ums' and 'ahhs'.
The Liberal Party have much more talented potential leaders, but they are not suited to the extreme ideology and scientific denial of party powerbrokers.
— PETER LLOYD, Reedy Marsh.
Amalgamations
IF SUCH huge moves as amalgamating councils is gathering pace across the state it is also
the right time to bring in a set rating system for council rates and do away with the unfair
system of accessed annual value for properties.
This system leaves ratepayers paying more or less for the same service just because their property is classed as of higher value than a neighbour.
If amalgamations do occur, ratepayers in some councils will end up paying much higher rates than
they used to.
This alone will stop amalgamations in its tracks with ratepayers.
— DAVID PARKER, West Launceston.
Aboriginal children
HOW racist of our Prime Minister to suggest that Aboriginal children living in remote communities of 10 or less should either move to where they can attend school or have access to school of the air.
To even suggest that the parents of these children should move so as their children can access an education is so racist.
Fancy wanting parents to want the best for their children by first ensuring they get an education
and then helping them get a job and independence from welfare.
No they should be kept on the land of their ancestors and live in government housing, while receiving social security benefits like unemployment for the rest of their lives.
The children they in turn have should be brought up in the same welfare system and the cycle should continue for the next generation.
The ABC, the Greens and Labor should hang their collective heads in shame if this is the life they want for Aboriginal children growing up in these communities.
How can they endorse young Aboriginal children never experiencing an education, a job or even travel by saying that their affinity to land is more important than an education, a job, the sense of self-worth and respect that goes hand in hand with them?
To hear Noel Pearson and Warren Mundine belittle Tony Abbott for suggesting exactly what their own parents did for them was unbelievable.
Both of them received their educations only because their parents moved to the city.
We need a rational debate on this subject, but we are never going to get one.
Let’s leave these kids sitting out in bush camps, at one with the land and let them bring up their children with the same mind set, that the taxpayers of Australia will pay for everything.
That is the argument being put forward by some.
The other argument is, let’s give our children an education and a real chance at gaining employment and a better life so as their children are not stagnating in the circle of social security.
I know which one I would have a go at.
— B. A. ELLIS, West Launceston.