My time has been spent in ward 3R, the rehab unit. The doctors, the nurses, physio and all the staff are so dedicated towards their patients nothing is to much  trouble even if having a bad day. Their loyalty and care to the patients is outstanding. 

I take my hat off to all of them and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I AM wondering why we are not hearing about a mass exodus of bank clients from the big four banks? Are people really still content to do their banking business with the likes of the Commonwealth Bank and NAB? After the things that have come out of the Banking Royal Commission, who would bank with these groups? Charging dead customers, charging for no service, pressuring customers into inappropriate loans and agreements? What?

Me, I am with a smaller bank. It did not totally escape criticism in the inquiry, but came out pretty well, compared to the big four. There are other options. Come on, Aussies, walk, take your banking custom somewhere else.

IN REPLY to B.Luies (The Sunday Examiner, December 2) and a very narrow view of unions, may I remind you as you sit back and think about maybe enjoying some of the following.

The union movement fought for and won for all Australians, annual leave, sick leave, long service leave, minimum wage, workers compensation, maternity leave, superannuations and pensions.

HAVING recently returned from a trip overseas, I have come to appreciate yet again the high quality of Tasmanian tap water. As is well known, Tasmanian water quality ranks among the highest in Australia. People rarely think about the many advantages there are to drinking tap water.

Plastic bottles have a disastrous impact on the environment. Yet companies make us believe that we should buy their fancy bottles and “better” water. Believe me, there is no need to buy bottled water and to accelerate environmental depletion.

It is of great importance that awareness be shifted towards the issue of sustainability in water consumption. Reassing our attitudes towards tap water is vital. There is much that each of us can do. Helping the environment by avoiding waste and resource-intense transportation can go a long way. Do reassure yourself of the high quality of tap water by looking up the official figures if you are not convinced. As someone who cares deeply about the environment, I stopped drinking bottled water years ago. 

Tap water is better for you than water in plastic bottles. A number of toxic substances from plastic can make it into the water.

Reading about this has made me want to spread the word about the many benefits of drinking tap water. Underestimating the potential advantages to drinking tap water could have long-term disastrous consequences. Start drinking tap water today.

EVERYONE is equal before the law, unless you live in Victoria, where one of the pillars of the legal system has collapsed, that of lawyer/client confidentiality.

During the so-called “gangland wars” in Melbourne (1997–2010), a defence lawyer purporting to represent her clients, was simultaneously acting as a registered police informant, breaching basic obligations as counsel and her duties to the court.

Victoria Police, which was a willing participant, has debased and corrupted the very premise of an independent criminal justice system. The Andrews Government has subsequently announced a Royal Commission, which will have enormous legal ramifications in Victoria for all involved.

SO THE Victorian police used an ethically conflicted barrister to gain information, which put an end to the Victorian gangwars.

These guys murdered people in front of children and terrorised Melbourne. Has anyone been prosecuted and convicted that should not have been? Are there any law-abiding citizens that are sorry these guys are off the street, I think not.

The police made the best use of the information available and made Victoria a safer place to live. They deserve to be congratulated. Does the barrister involved have questions to answer from a professional point of view, quite possibly, and that is a matter for her professional regulatory bodies. The police should not be held to account or to answer for her decisions. The responsibility for her decisions rests with her.

WHAT an absolute debacle Victoria’s legal dilemma. Are they really stupid enough to let known murderers and drug leaders to go free over the way true information was sourced.  Government leaders have failed us on so many occasions, energy, fuel, housing, infrastructure, health, and cost of living. So do not fail them now, step up to the plate and find a solution. In all of the trials, other compelling evidence was given and the extra was the icing on the cake.

To risk every Australian’s life by reduced sentences or early release is a travesty of justice in itself. For retrials, the costs to Victoria’s taxpayers would be horrendous and unnecessary. We are surrounded by the possibility of terrorism, smashed by the revelations of the bank inquiry and reeling under the housing and health failures. Do not add this to our inadequacies.