Local Government Reforms
WITH Local government elections due in late October 2018, and the introduction of four-year terms for councillors, mayors and deputy mayors in 2004, it may be opportune to limit the service of the aforementioned members to two, four year terms, whether achieved consecutively or at different times, effective from October 2018.
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Additionally, general managers to have a maximum of two, five-year contracts, to be appointed by an open public application process.
An age limit for all councillors, mayors and deputy mayors to be 70 years of age, but this limit may be exceeded if a candidate for example, is 69, and wishes to contest an election, effectively retiring at age 73.
All council elections to be compulsory to eliminate (especially with small councils), the potential of undue influence by advocacy groups, business lobbyists, and political parties, due to the small number of enrolled voters, and the possibility of a low participation rate.
Hopefully, the above proposed reforms may ameliorate long-held personal rivalry and feuds, petty egos, and eliminate voting blocs within the council, to be replaced with an increase of openness, transparency, and greater accountability, especially with other people’s money, that of the municipal constituents.
Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.
Tampon Tax
A MESSAGE to the federal treasurer.
Goods and service tax on women’s tampons is a bloody disgrace.
Brian Habner, Kings Meadows.
Excuses
WE SEEMED to have entered a new era where politicians making ridiculous statements then claim they were misquoted, taken out of context or they didn’t ever say the offensive words.
They must believe we are totally gullible and somewhat stupid.
I find it impossible to accept that a reported statement can then be claimed as “fake news”.
Donald Trump has certainly opened a new dimension to honesty and truthfulness and in the process is making himself the butt of jokes and derision.
We do expect our politicians to be truthful, but maybe that is an unreal expectation?
Dick James, Launceston.
Legion competition
I JUST wanted to take the opportunity to express how totally impressed I was with the presentation and standard of competition at the recent Legion Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts tournament held recently.
With competitors from statewide and even some interstate additions to an impressive card it was an evening that never failed to showcase the hard work, training and dedication that goes into competing at this level.
Never let it be said that there’s nothing to do in Launceston because this event delivered in every way.
A huge thanks to the fighters for making it a card to remember and to Legion for delivering a fun, professional and family friendly event.
I look forward to the next evening and urge anyone to attend and support.
Belinda Bird, Launceston.
Best bet
NOW that Super Saturday has come and gone, a few comments may be appropriate.
Although Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made a tactical error in orchestrating such a long lead-up, he is the current best bet to lead the Coalition into the next election.
This is because he is not as rigid as others in his party room and could maybe read what the electorate needs a little better.
It needs to be realised that the electorate will not accept the mantra that the poor are not concerned about petrol prices because they cant afford to drive cars, as suggested by the current treasurer some time ago.
Uusing a little literary licence, I would suggest the Ke(a)y to getting onside maybe a nice rack of lamb.
D. Palmer, Newnham.
Disappointment
SHOULD there be a more disappointed politician in Australia than our Prime Minister on Sunday morning following the events of the so-called “Super Saturday”.
Having been assured that Coalition polls showed wins to the Coalition in both Braddon and Longman in order to boost his achievements claiming that the Coalition were underdogs due to 98 years of governments losing byelections and swings against the ruling party.
Having been so visible during the long lead-up to polling day he suddenly went to ground and left the likes of Christopher Pyne to face the media.
A. Carter, Mowbray.
Byelection commitments
THE Coalition has control of the nation’s purse strings.
This begs the question.
Will the election commitments made by Brett Whiteley, Liberal Party and the federal government be implemented between Saturday and the next general election?
Graeme Lindsay, Deloraine.
Energy Supplement
After the byelections the Coalition will be taking a long hard look at itself before the federal election probably early next year.
One policy it needs to ditch pronto is removing the energy supplement from the age pension.
Its removal will upset and anger many like myself who are both pensioners and undecided voters.
My power bill has never been higher over a thousand dollars for the last three months.
The removal would once again show how out of touch the Coalition is.