How many ways could we better spend $250,000 of our (taxpayers) money? I can think of a few. 

We are currently a Commonwealth, but some would have us become a republic.  At what cost? And at what benefit? 

This seemingly constant name changing or rebranding, for what? 

I am forever bemused (and annoyed) by our various leaders and their bureaucrats ability to spend on foibles. 

The popular press espouses our lack of decent political leadership. 

Please add to that sad “report card” the inappropriate spending habits of the managers of this great country of ours.

Peter Manktelow, Norwood.

THE word reconciliation can be interpreted in many different ways but one fundamental concept is that the unresolved legacy of the past lies at the heart of reconciliation.

And it is here we struggle in Tasmania. Why? Because it is commonly accepted the settlers brutally killed the Aborigines and effectively ended their existence. 

What is not so generally acknowledged is the fear the early settlers had of unprovoked bloody attacks on them, attacks which slaughtered many innocent men, women and children.

It was not a one sided conflict but one which sponsored action by the authorities of the day to bring it to a halt.

This was ultimately achieved by the Reverend George Robinson with the help of Truganini. It is a sad history basically caused by a lack of communication and empathy between the parties involved.

That lack of understanding and sympathy between people is a continuing fundamental problem to be overcome in the reconciliation process.

The banner of Aboriginality is proudly held by the many Tasmanian descendants with good reason.

However that should not be used to divide our community as has been the mantra of some.

Very fortunately there are many Tasmanian Aboriginals just as proud of their European heritage and appreciative of the benefits modern civilisation has offered to them.

We look to them for the future of a more united Tasmania where we all work together for the common good.

John Coulson, Dilston.

IT SEEMS now the answer to the Tamar dilemma is to gift the river to Launceston's new hypo developer and then allow the ratepayers pay for the desperately needed new river crossing at Stevenson's Bend, the only practical site that allows for free traffic flow to all parts of the now fast developing northern suburbs both east and west. 

The desperate overnight plan put forward by the government recently gave testiment to the lack of thought that was used in their last-minute flash thought directly prior to the election. 

The ratepayers of our little city are being hoodwinked into wondering just where Launceston is being run from and questions should be being asked before the bubble bursts.

Geoff Smedley, Trevallyn.

EVIDENTLY, congratulations must be bestowed upon St Helens/Priory mother, Ms Kristi Chapple, for nominating St Helens as an official submission for triple j’s annual One Night Stand festival competition.

With St Helens’ success as the annual regional winner of triple j’s music venue, ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie must be asked to set a precedent with the inclusion of Luca Brasi, who emerged from St Helens to become a vanguard Tasmanian band on the Australian and international stage.

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.

LIKE most Tasmanians I watched David Attenborough's program and it was up to his usual very high standard with much wonderful photography.

I realise his field is nature and l learnt a lot from the program. 

It will when shown overseas, do absolutely nothing to dispel the belief of my overseas friends that l live up a mountain, by a lake, near a waterfall or in a rainforest.

This is inspite of the fact that I tell them I live in a very sophisticated city but they don't really believe me.

This belief is supported by many overseas with the many wilderness calendars sent each year.

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.

WITH the recent death of a pilot whale off the coast of Thailand, due to a staggering in gestation of some 80 plastic bags, leaves all who care for animals and the environment literally sick in the stomach. 

War on Waste has never been more apt, with experts estimating there are 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating on the earths oceans let alone in them. 

I ride my bike home and see a piece of plastic on the way, I pick it up. That's one less that won’t enter our waterways and I know you would to.

Robert Lee, Summerhill.

ROSS Hart (Letters, The Examiner, June 8), like Bill Shorten selectively focuses on one aspect of the government’s tax cuts, ignoring the benefits that will flow to Australians and the wider economy.

For example, many middle income households will be around $1000 better off under the Liberals' tax plan.

What Labor fails to recognise is that a budget is made up of more than revenue collected from company tax.

It also reflects rates of economic growth, GDP, wage growth and employment rates – all of which are positively impacted by cuts to personal and corporate tax.

Under the Federal Liberal Government, Australia is achieving record economic and employment growth, the dividend of good economic management.

Liberal Senator David Bushy.