I trust that the necessary funds can be found and as a former Apexian, I congratulate Apex for its efforts.

We seem to find substantial amounts to support such things as Festivale and other events, which are attended by those of us that can afford such outings.

We are getting less and less events that are affordable for those wonderful families in the lower income brackets, where they can take a bunch of children for a family outing without spending a small fortune. 

Even the traditional football match is getting beyond their reach with a meat pie and a spoonful of chips costing $10.

With a few more dollars, more promotion and general support from council I am sure that organisations and individuals will come forward to ensure an ongoing parade.

Give people of all ages the opportunity … and reason … to visit our city centre at Christmas.

Provide the opportunity for people of all ages to come and celebrate Christmas, see Santa, do some shopping in the city centre and walk through all those upgraded areas that should be viewed and enjoyed … again at no cost to families.

Trevor Stebbings, West Launceston.

EVER driven along the Nepean Highway in Melbourne?  

Many kilometres are occupied by car sales, an unsightly vista and a first-rate example of terrible town planning.

Do we want the same for our town?  

It is scandalous that Errol Stewart has approval to redevelop a building that includes a 19th century structure, for yet another car yard a short distance from the centre of town and tourist destinations.  

The thoroughfare facing Seaport is ugly enough without further inappropriate commercial developments. I implore the council to re-consider this idea and to insist on a more appropriate use of this key site.

Veronica Henderson, Invermay.

WE SHOULD change the constitution so that the federal governments gets the sack if a certain percentage of the population is unemployed for more than a year.

There is more job seekers than jobs. We need a system where instead of the unemployed begging employers for a job. The employer says, "please will you work for me".

Leon Cooper, St Leonards.

RECENTLY, Senator Helen Polley (Letters, The Examiner, May 18) highlighted government budget failure in providing sufficient new funding for consumer-directed care packages enabling older people to remain living independently in the community. 

Senator, on behalf of the many thousands of older people currently on the waiting list for home-care packages in Tasmania and nationally, will you please explain why providers of packages both for profit and not-for-profit receive considerable sums of money, yet are not expected to account for how much consumers are charged for services or how funding is allocated? 

While many responsible package-providers deliver caring services, as a result of a lack of funding transparency and accountability, unscrupulous providers currently reap substantial profits. 

As a result, rather than adequate numbers of care packages being available for distribution in the community, older, often frail and vulnerable, people are left without services or with inadequate services to meet their needs. 

If dishonest package-providers were exposed and held accountable for their deceitful behaviour, would a significant number of care-packages materialise from their exposure?

Dr Kim Wylie, Prospect Vale.

YET another endangered wedge-tailed eagle falling prey to roadkill (The Examiner, May 24).

A question to all motorists - How could you not see a giant bird eating roadkill on the road?

And, why is there so much roadkill (usually native)?

One reason for the latter could be “inadequate fencing” and access to water.

We’ve trapped, poisoned and shot these beautiful raptors to the point of extinction.

So much for driving to the conditions. Open your eyes up when driving.

A.R. Trounson, Needles.

PETER Dutton, rather than being annoyed by those who have remain should be relieved that they arrived by aircraft and thus avoided the perilous journey by boat, which was one of the main reasons for “stopping the boats”.

In any event the minister should look at the positives, there is a chance that among them there maybe some good middle distant runners, weightlifters and boxers.

A. Carter, Mowbray.

I WAS being entirely serious, (Letters, The Examiner, May 19) when l suggested Albert van Zetten would be a good candidate to be the next governor of Tasmania. 

He has a great deal going for him. The present incumbent stated she only wanted one term. 

Alderman van Zetten is from a professional background with splendid humanitarian leanings and he is relatively young. 

He is used to making speeches and decisions as well as controlling an organisation. As mayor he is used to meeting a wide variety of people, holding receptions and other functions. 

A Northerner would be a change and he is not a chief justice. 

He also has an excellent wife with similar background and qualities to Frances Underwood, wife of the late governor Peter Underwood. 

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.