Aged care services
Finally, the Coalition Government has agreed to a Royal Commission into the aged care sector in Australia.
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Hot on the heels of the one into the banking and finance industry, which they attempted to thwart no less than 26 times in Federal Parliament. We know how that turned out. On the very eve of this latest examination of endemic flaws in Australia’s provision of services and products, Scott Morrison finds over $660 million dollars to allocate to aged care services.
Where was this concern and desperately-needed funding when the most vulnerable and unrepresented, elderly members of our society were, (and sadly, some still are), withering away in despair in the very places they should feel safe and respected?
The so-called pillars of our community are tumbling like the domino's they are. And, hopefully, too, are their enablers in Canberra.
Sue Gul, Newnham.
Cyclists concern
Maybe F. O’Sullivan (The Examiner, February 10) needs to learn a little patience. Yes waiting behind a bike on Trevallyn Road or anywhere else can slow you down for a few seconds, just as a bus or a truck may do so. Why the rush to pass straight away?
Once you get around the first bend, then the road widens for the bus stop and vehicles can comfortably pass there.
The basic rules of safe driving apply as much for a bike as anything. Only overtake when it's safe. It is perfectly legal to cross the line but only when its safe and in my experience of riding Trevallyn Road daily, 99 per cent of drivers seem capable of doing so.
The stupidity involved here may be drivers being unwilling to wait until it is safe to pass a bike and then blaming the cyclists for any danger.
Malcolm Reid, Tamar Bicycle Users Group president.
Festivale success
FESTIVALE has been an outstanding success, City Park reached it’s 10,000 capacity on Saturday evening.
How sad that Symphony Under The Stars, which fills the lovely park every year with an appreciative and well-behaved audience, is this year limited to 4000.
There are many, many disappointed people.
J. Harland, Launceston.
Bev Jennings' letter
READING Bev Jennings’ letter (The Examiner, February 6) regarding the appointment of Wendy Eskew to the Senate.
I must admit that at times I see red over the snouts-in-the-trough and entitlement culture of our pollies, but in this case, you are so wrong.
This lady is the very best person selected and no parachutes were used. I might add, she might even be prime minister material.
Hold on to your opinion until she has settled in.
You'll be pleasantly surprised.
R. M. Lawrence, Launceston.
Independence
Banking Royal Commissioner Kenneth Hayne maintained his independence when presenting the government with his final report by refusing to shake hands with treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.
Teachers Fight a Fair Fight
WHILE there is no link between the ongoing fire crisis in Tasmania and teachers’ fight for better in-class support for children and respect for their complex and critical work, your editorial (The Examiner, January 25) raises issues important to many educators.
Our education union members aren’t just teachers, principals, teacher assistants and support staff – they are people too.
Like many Tasmanians, our members are out fighting the fires as volunteers, defending their homes and supporting others doing so. In fact, our public sector wage negotiations are taking place in close cooperation with the union representing TFS firefighters so their vital work is never far from our minds. Educators will continue to do their great work in the community and continue to support our firefighters in theirs, but they also face the beginning of a new school year. Sadly, 2019 began with the same lack of in-class support for children who need it as previous years.
This is unacceptable to our members and the children and families they teach and support. Your editorial provides sound advice, but we know parents and the wider community, just like our members, can face down the fire crisis without forgetting the importance of quality education.
AEU Tas Branch president Helen Richardson.
City’s Ailing Pedigree
IT truly is a critical time for planning and true development of Launceston, the capital of the North.
So many views are being posted regarding the true needs of today’s stagnating city, so much badly-needed development is being ignored while crazy bells and lollypop stuff has taken front stage.
The last attack of any substance was perhaps the costly flood walls which were built on crossed fingers alone, all based on the large flood experienced in 1929 which on today’s scale has little meaning heading into unknown climate conditions deeming very little merit for the rather blind outlay.
The putrid river is an insult to an intelligent population, even third-world countries have worked that problem out and even as I write the waft of sewage is in the air, while Pedro the fisherman manipulates his rake, finds it more lucrative going to sea.
A major river crossing highway from Riverside to the Mowbray connector makes far more sense than a council proposed crossing from West Tamar Road to Forster Street which would exacerbate today’s woes.
Many fold while supporting the fact that a little more ambition from council would sit well with Launceston’s future.