If it ain't’ broke
To a large degree, the Australian economy has always been at the mercy of global economic fluctuations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
From 1931 to 1971 our dollar was tied to the English pound and from 1971 to 1983 it was tied to the American dollar.
Since 1983 we have floated the dollar and entered the global economy as a fully-fledged independent economic entity. From the computers we use and the cars we drive to the goods we sell we have all benefited from a reduction in tariffs and free trade.
That’s the upside. The downside is when the global economy turns ugly as it did in 2007 and which it is now showing similar signs of repeating as China and the US face off over a trade war.
Out of all of this, we find the Coalition consistently claiming superior economic credentials when in fact they have virtually no control over these devastating economic trends.
It was Gough Whitlam who visited China and began the thaw in diplomatic relations and trade with China – not the LNP. It was Paul Keating who floated the dollar and paved the way for the decade long economic boom enjoyed by the LNP from 1996 to 2005 – not John Howard.
It was Labor who had the courage to stimulate the economy during the GFC and avert a recession. One we would surely have experienced under the austerity policies of the LNP.
So Don Davey (The Examiner, February 9) when you say it ain’t broken and replay the cracked record of Kill Bill and say it’s all pretty good: your mob-backed the big end of town and obstructed the banking royal commission until they had no choice, your mob have prevailed overhead in the sand environmental mismanagement including the recent Menindee fish kills and your mob are not the economic masters you make them out to be.
If they are returned to the opposition benches, as seems likely, it is because they deserve to be there.
Tony Newport, Hillwood.
Cataract Gorge flow
I SUGGEST that the Trevallyn Power Station be converted to pumped hydro allowing the South Esk to run through the Cataract Gorge as it should.
Peter Smythe, Jetsonville.
Good Samaritan
A VERY big thank you to the lady who found my purse and hope that she reads this.
I am so grateful for her honesty by handing in my purse which I reported lost to the Launceston police and would have liked to personally thank her but police said it is anonymous, which I do understand.
Most people are honest and thank you again. It was a relief to get the call from police and I urge others to report lost property.
Thank you so much to the police as well.
Gloria Keshow, South Launceston.
Aged care system
THE statute that covers nursing homes and retirement villages requires amendments and additional clauses.
It’s alarming that people with disordered minds or those with no knowledge lack insight into the nature of legal transactions can be pressured into unfair contracts.
Compulsory terms include a 30-day cooling off period and contracts to be run by a specialist solicitor.
The discriminatory practice of offering a low standard of accommodation and care for low income elderly should be unlawful.
It should be compulsory that staff must write up all complaints of physical and mental abuse, signs of gangrene, ulcers, bedsores, weight loss due to underfeeding, and referral to health specialists.
Full doctors assessment before anti-psychotic or anti-depressant medication is prescribed and only handed out by a doctor or qualified nurse.
William Ovenell, Legana.
Firies Thank you
WE want to extend our sincerest gratitude to the firefighters, professional and volunteer, who saved our family property from the Great Pine Tier Fire.
Fondly known as “Harry’s Shack”, like many shacks in the Highlands, it has been the focal point of many fond memories, becoming more than just a building.
We have been overwhelmed by the tenacity and skill of the firies and the commitment and empathy of the police who understood what the place meant to us.
They willingly put themselves at risk, left their loved ones, jobs and properties, to save our place and many, many others.
We have tried to find an adequate way to express our heartfelt gratitude, but along with their actions going above and beyond, those who helped were far too numerous to mention and came from far and wide.
This public recognition, a donation to the Great Lake Fire Brigade and a simple request to all residents of Tassie to buy a firey a beer, will have to suffice.
Harry and Adriana Franken and family, Kingston Beach.
Solar Power farce
I agree with Del Jenkins (The Examiner, February 15) - what a joke.
We sell our power to the grid for 8 cents per kilowatt hour (13.8 per kWh cents until the end of the year to keep the dopey ones happy) and buy it back for 28 cents per kWh.
The legacy feed whereby you use what you produce and only import the rest doesn’t happen or I would not have received a power bill ever after installation.
All we are now, are idiots supplying cheap power (free actually) for the power company to on-sell to whoever they like for 28 cents per kWh. If you are thinking of putting in solar power – don’t bother.