Each of us have the right to choose whether we believe in God or any other deity and whilst her comments might express her personal opinion, for those who believe in dying with dignity at the end of life, that is our right.

Some go through needless suffering and extreme pain, and that is definitely not dignified, it can be humiliating and degrading.

If Ms Bates does not agree with euthanasia, that is her right, but as you pointed out, her personal opinions should not stop others from having that option.

The last time I checked, we do not live in a country where our opinions are regulated and controlled, we have the options to hold our own personal beliefs.

Euthanasia might not be the right way for some, but for others, it is taking control of your right to choose.

I wonder if Ms Bates has ever taken a beloved pet to a vet to 'put it to sleep' to end its suffering and avoid possible prosecution for cruelty to animals by forcing it to live with extreme pain and no hope for a cure?

We all should have the right to choose if possible how we die, because none of us will ever have the ability to walk on this earth forever.

Jennie Wilson, Deloraine.

What a heart rendering story.

Our retired servicemen and women who served overseas to protect our way of life, cannot even get an interview for some jobs .

They apply and are rejected interview less.

They risk life and limb yet are put on the backburner for a job.

When will the Federal Government admit this is no longer the land of debtless plenty, but hardships for many.

Our large intake of immigrants and refugees were when the economy was flourishing not floundering like the present.

It is not heartless, it is common sense.  

Willingly the government increases welfare, they then complain and Australians suffer.

Get a job – elderly, eligible welfare, disabled, immigrants, refugees, returned service personal.

What jobs?

It also puts strain on infrastructure, like housing, hospitals, and amenities.

With mounting debt, foreign intake must be addressed immediately or turn our backs on Australians.

Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.

THERE can be no doubt whatsoever that Parliament Question Time in it’s present form, is a junket for lazy, good for nothing, back biting individuals whom call “suspension’s of standing orders“ as often as possible, as  in the last occasion almost half of question time, was taken up by four such suspension’s brought on by an absolutely rabble of a Labor party, especially when on the back foot.

The way in which it is handled is out of the dark ages, chaotic, deliberately time wasting.

In this electronic age, which could have these matters concluded by the installation of electronic buttons at each members chair, in order to vote on such, and allowing members to start earning their exorbitant salaries and perks by actually dealing with running the country.

Don Davey, Launceston.

THE 623 government schools students under care and protection orders are about four times more likely to be externally suspended (The Examiner, November 23). What are the corresponding figures for students under the same orders in non-government schools? Now that all schools receive similar levels of government funding (MySchool website) it is only fair that all schools share in the heavy lifting required to support our most vulnerable students.

Ivan Webb, West Launceston.