TASMANIANS could be forgiven for being confused about the role of the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator.

The regulator recently authorised an increase in water charges of about 4 per cent. An increase more than the growth in most incomes during the last year.

In recent years the regulator has approved eye-watering increases in electricity and water charges. Those increases have coincided with a requirement for the power companies to pay dividends to the state government and TasWater being required to pay dividends to the local councils.

Last financial year the power companies paid nearly $170 million to the state government and TasWater paid $30 million to the councils. In this instance “dividends” are euphemisms for taxation.

Therefore, one wonders whether the real purpose of the regulator is to determine affordable prices for these essential services or whether is to maximise the price of electricity and water to provide a hidden revenue stream for state and local government.

IT IS with great sadness I read that Holy Trinity Church at Cressy is on the list for proposed sale by the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania. This church and church hall is still being used regularly by the community and I have been told by a member of the church that the congregation do not want to lose it. Recent renovations, both to the church and the hall have been carried out and funded by members of the public.

My parents and grandparents and many other relatives are buried in the church grounds. Many have relatives buried there. So many memories, both happy and sad. So many people still wishing to have access to the church grounds to pay their respect to relatives. This sale would be sacrilege.

WHY should aged pensioners borrow against their biggest asset (their homes) to increase their standard of living, because the federal government is too lousy to increase the aged pension rate to a reasonable level.

So all aged pensioners can live comfortably without too much stress.

To give your child a “good” ol’ fashioned clip around the ear was morally and legally encouraged as the “discipline” of the day.

Frustration, not discipline. Abuse of power, not discipline. We don’t need to use violence to let our children know how deeply we love them.

Writing as another “old goose with much to say about everything” (The Examiner, May 9), this old goose cannot lay the golden answer regarding violence against emergency workers. Emergency workers who show respect by not abusing their position of trust and power need to be shown respect. The same respect as any other mere mortal. Donning a uniform doesn’t make anyone a god. We all make sacrifices and most mere mortals are overworked and underpaid.

When, even correctly dosed prescribed antibiotics can seriously change chemicals in the brain, or a patient is literally struggling to stay alive, emergency workers generally do an amazing job.

From convicts to 21st century Australians, however, we have challenged the brutality/anarchy of authorised and unauthorised systemic bullying, whatever form it takes, and I seriously hope we always will.

AS ONE who refuses on principle, to volunteer for a police check that would allow me to work with children, I find it most joyful to visit our local IGA store at weekends when young students are manning the checkouts and to talk to them about their lives.

Over the years it has been great to watch a very shy young lass or young man begin at the checkout then go on to become a most competent, and confident staff member.   

I do enjoy learning of their studies and ambitions and to hear them say they have graduated and achieved their goal after a period of personal hard work and stress.   

Maybe not all are entirely successful, but I’m sure they have gained immensely in personal development from their IGA experience.    

I know that I gain personally from meeting them all and I congratulate the IGA on their providing such wonderful education for these great young people.

IS IT just me or have all free to air channels raised the level of background music to such a level that the person can't be heard.

I have a hearing loss and now have trouble hearing what is said.

Makes sense of going over to Netflix

BILL Shorten claims he’s found a way of extracting a lot more cash from big business without any detrimental effects on our economy - at least he didn’t draw our attention to any so I’m puzzled why he stopped there.

Surely we’re all entitled to a lot more.

What about an immediate cash back of a few thousand dollars to help us get used to this new life.

NORTHERN Tasmania has the lowest number of active and authorised foster carers in the state (The Examiner, May 20).

It takes money to foster a child, something that many of us don’t have.