“It’s time to re-think how things are done”. I believe now is the time to re-think sewerage systems. I have believed for years that the present system is outdated. There must be something better.

It is proposed to spend a colossal amount to fix the system as it is. Why not take this opportunity to stop and have a re-think - investigate other options? There are other options. You only need to visit Agfest every year to learn about some of them.

The type of thing I imagine is where the sewerage is dried out and collected every so often for recycling into gardens. This type also uses much less water. What an appropriate time to use a system that saves water. There will be plenty of other good ideas out there.

Just imagine it, no more sewerage going into the Tamar River. Ok. We know it can be treated so that what comes out the other end is drinkable, but it costs a hell of a lot. 

There must be something better. Instead of jumping in and trying to do it the old way, why not sit back and give it some thought. Hold a competition for new ideas. And have a good look at them. Perhaps go back to the drawing board and take the best bits out of the new ideas.

Or combine some. Just don’t do it like we have always done it. If it means installing something in every house; have a look at it. It might not cost any more, and if it does, how much more? What are the long-term benefits? I repeat: “It’s time to re-think how things are done”.

Nancy Donnelly, Hillwood.

WITH respect I cannot understand the wisdom of some of our Federal Government decisions.

A friend is constantly bombarded with letters from Centrelink forcing a 62year-old, recovering from life-threatening breast cancer and lumber injury, to get a job. Whilst some younger recipients get away with abusing the system, residing in holiday destinations never intending to work.

Also changing the retirement age, expecting the elderly to get a job. What jobs? Majority are frail and subject to poor health, who wants us? Taxes paid, pension at a reasonable age.

Huge waiting lists for government housing all over Australia, yet still maintaining large immigration numbers requiring housing and jobs. Immigration levels were set in the days of plenty, but still maintained, putting a huge strain on our infrastructure, hospitals waiting lists, housing, employment.

Australian Government needs to focus on local problems and then be generous.

Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.

ONE COULD understand the energy minister and treasurer failing to comprehend the commercial origin and realities of Capitalism, albeit the foundation of coalition existence. But the Prime Minister, with all those testimonials and all. Privatization of assets such as energy gives carte blanche to it's owner to charge whatever the market will bear, thus, the first rule of capitalism.

In other words, charge as much as you can regardless of costs or public opinion, until opposition becomes hostile to price gouging. You have then established the price which the market will bear.

Had the Abbott opposition not played negative semantics so successfully for so long, when in opposition to the Rudd, Gillard government, a carbon price would now be in existence resulting in energy at half the current price, the budget deficit half its current level and a valuable asset still in public hands, reaping financial rewards. What now?

Nationalisation of the energy sector, not even this Government could afford that, or more brow beating professing to understand where it all went wrong? Definition of coalition policy, miasma.

Wally Reynolds, Perth.