INSPIRATIONAL
IT HAS been a while since his death but Stephen Hawking continues to inspire me.
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A man who overcame adversity to continue to contribute to the field of science. He died from a disease that doctors told him he die from 53 years ago.
He was an amazing man who deserves to be remembered by everyone on this planet as he has contributed so much.
Collin G. Wood, Newstead.
Wage clarity
In response to Peter Doddy (The Examiner, April 12), the figures he suggested for a Tasmanian politician’s salary were very wide of the mark.
Peter suggested $400-$500,000 a year. It’s easy to check our salaries. They are approximately $137,000 with some allowances. We are the lowest paid politicians in Australia. The argument to re-establish the House of Assembly numbers to 35 is re-enforced by comparing the salary of an elected person to those of the bureaucratic advisors.
Peter is right when he refers to some bureaucrats receiving around $400,000 and department heads receiving $600,000 and above. On these figures we can employ two or three politicians for the cost of one bureaucrat in some cases.
Of course politicians would be elected by the Tasmanian community.
Ivan Dean, Independent Member for Windermere, Kerry Finch, Independent Member for Rosevears, Greg Hall, Independent Member for McIntyre.
Intelligent film
READING (The Examiner, April 12) from Steve Neilson about the Star Theatre’s latest film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, I was appalled to think he might influence many movie-goers from seeing this wonderful film.
It is very funny, warm and sad at times, occasionally violent. It is an intelligent film which allows the viewers to make up their own minds about how it ends – not to be missed.
Sue Cook, North Caulfield.
True words
I READ two different items that made me want to write this letter (The Examiner, April 8). Firstly as I always do read Jo Palmer’s article, ‘Our Real Silent Shame’, Jo could never have written such truer words.
I then read a letter from A.R Trounson about his hate for baked beans. I wonder if he ever stops to think someone had taken the time to go to a shop and buy baked beans and maybe other items to donate, take them to a donated collection point, where a dedicated volunteer would collect them, then more dedicated volunteers sort all items in to boxes to hand out or deliver to those in need.
Even if its a tin of baked beans or toilet roll, he should be grateful someone has donated those things. Through my life I have struggled many times, but luckily for me I came through it.
L. Morton, Beaumaris.
Basslink failure
BASSLINK delivers excellence in the areas of safety, reliability and performance - well so it says on its website. The announcement that Basslink's latest return to service after another mishap is not expected to be before May 31 highlights Basslink is anything but reliable. Basslink is either a dud, or are these outages being thrown on us deliberately to build a case for Basslink2 at a further cost to taxpayers? One is starting to wonder.
Clive Stott, Grindelwald.
Bullying
DAVIS Seecamp (The Examiner, April 10) raises some excellent ways to stop/deter bullies and bullying. I’d go a step further, and deny them access to all electronic devices for a week for each incidence of bullying reported. With so many addicted to social media these days, the punishment would certainly be felt and, no doubt, stop at least some of what is becoming an everyday occurrence.
F. O’Sullivan, Riverside.
Timber commercial
I NOTICED the feel good commercial on TV about building a timber framed house. I also noticed the house pictured is missing the roof bracing.
Rod Force, Sandy Bay.
Eco tourism
THE premier wants to make Tasmania the eco tourism capital of the world. Who does this benefit? These exclusive resorts cater for the wealthy, but very few Tasmanians will visit them. Do they employ local people? Where do the profits go?
How long before our camping sites and shacks become too untidy for the visitors and there will be pressure to make our state beautiful for them?
Margaret Dertesi, Perth.
Angry and Sad
LIKE Jim Collier (The Examiner, April 11) I too am horrified about the live animal export, I wonder if the government is too busy to stop this unacceptable practice. Surely this terrible, terrible suffering of animals must prompt some action of the minister responsible.
Hedi Raak, Clarence Point.
Tamar Lake
I’M AFRAID that I must agree that damming the Tamar will not solve the silt problem and will only leave a large smelly lake of sewerage. The only way to clean the river is to pump the silt to somewhere that will not see it return. The previous attempts at stockpiling the mud in levied areas only cause the mud beneath those areas to be forced back into the river. As previously suggested pump it up into the numerous old granite quarries behind Rocherlea where it could be mixed with other green waste and excavated materials would be one idea or simply cart it by barge out into Bass Strait where the tides would disperse it over a large area.
Ken Terry, Bridport.
Wages
A UNIVERSAL basic income would enable Australians to have money. If they became unemployed, have to care for others, wish to study or start up a business. Without having to contact Centrelink.