If better is not determined by individual wealth but more realistically equated with contribution to society, then the value of a profession can be proven quite simply; what impact would there be on our society if every person in a particular profession took a collective day off? 

A day without politicians would be a a quiet news day. 

A day without aged-care workers would result in people under their care suffering a decline in health and a number of deaths.

Aged-care workers should not "aspire to get a better job".

They are already among the best.

Katherine Hobman, Invermay.

ON RETURNING to Cradle Mountain after almost 30 years, the astounding beauty of this iconic destination remains quintessential in anyone's visit to Tasmania.

Its panoramic beauty and relatively easy access will be challenging to its future as an unspoilt national park. 

Many ardent bush walkers  and naturalists may already consider its natural beauty and serenity lost to the invasion of tourists and sightseers.

In considering the words of the early explorer Gustav Weindorfer, "this must be a national park for the people for all time. It is magnificent and people must know about and enjoy it".

His desire has been met. 

Despite the pressures placed upon the park by unprecedented visitors, the national parks should be praised in their efforts to preserve Cradle Mountain for future generations. 

It is easy to be critical of board walks, timber steps and gravel pathways but the environmental damage at lower levels would be catastrophic.

Thank goodness the harsh climate and ruggedness of the upper slopes prevents further damage.

There will however need to be compromises from all sides in preserving the natural environment.

Dove Lake can no longer be open to public cars and the proposed cable car would turn the park into another Disneyland.

Already the beautiful pathway from the rangers’ centre to Dove Lake is underutilised but for the avid bush walker it still offers astounding beauty.

The time must surely come when restricted entry will apply as per the Overland Track, where restriction on numbers already applies.

Edward Farbrother, Hughesdale.

LABOR leader Bill Shorten on social media is trying to suggest that only those with rich parents can afford to get a university education.

There are fees of a few hundred dollars as well as books and uniforms to buy, but students do not pay for their university studies until they get a job that earns average earnings.

Mr Shorten talks of age pensioners losing their energy supplement without acknowledging that those on Newstart are also losing this payment.

He is not a leader, but a populist that is more interested in looking after his own job and the job of his Labor party cronies than caring for the well-being of Australia’s poorest citizens.

People are not unemployed because they are lazy. 

They are unemployed because of new technologies and the benefits of globalisation.

Leon Cooper, St Leonards.

I WONDER if the City of Launceston councillors are aware of the parking situation at the Launceston General Hospital.

Quite a few of the parking spaces are unavailable, due to building extensions, and on-street parking is restricted to 30 minutes in Howick Street.

This is not nearly enough time to attend a clinic, as some patients have discovered when returning to their vehicles to find a parking infringement notice on their windscreen.

Brian Habner, Kings Meadows.

YOU have to smile, I bought a weekend newspaper to read about the sorry saga of church sales in Tasmania.

In an advertisement for a refrigerator it stated: "plenty of flexible space for the whole family." It would be rather cold.

Malcolm Scott Newstead.

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with F. O’Sullivan’s letter (The Examiner, July 10).

West Tamar Council only provides rubbish collection once a fortnight, however has the ability to raise rates by 2.65 per cent leading to an estimated rate revenue of $18.3 million.

Hopefully the residents and ratepayers will stand up in the October local government elections and vote for a voice in our community, which will lead the way in having weekly rubbish collection like our neighbouring councils.

Jorden Gunton, Trevallyn.

PRESIDENT Trump was not elected for his smooth talk, he was elected to run the country, which he has proven to be very capable of doing.

He is a very savvy, smart man and very capable of doing the job. He will not smile in your face and then stab you in the back.

People who come out and say nasty things about him are only showing their ignorance or their true agenda of the destruction of our society.

I wish Australians could elect someone like him to straighten out the mess we have here.

Marilyn Reis, Ravenswood.