I can only assume the AFL chief executive and fellow directors of the AFL have performance rights bonuses totally dependent on income and profit derived from company sponsorship and exclusive broadcasting rights.

To penalise a young Collingwood footballer for gambling on a game he was involved in as a conflict of interest is lucid hypocrisy, especially as an increasing number of AFL clubs intend or already have eliminated poker machines from club properties due to changing and evolving community expectations.

Please expect the AFL retort in defence of accepting gambling dollars to be one of legality, conveniently forgetting other legal forms of potential addiction as tobacco and alcohol, with its well-publicised detrimental societal and health effects.

I agree with Gloria (The Examiner, June 25) that the Launceston Gorge is beautiful.

It is unique and just an amazing natural wonder easily accessible to everyone.

That is, everyone who is able-bodied and mobile and able to walk along the paths to see it. But sadly for so many people, this simple pleasure is an impossible feat.

However, the proposed cable cars would open up a whole new world for them to be able to enjoy seeing this amazing example of nature's architecture.

THE Launceston City Council says it is not going to replace the flag poles in the revamped Brisbane Street Mall because of additional operational costs.

It makes little or no sense, as what does it cost to run a flag pole?

The city should be a proud place to display our flags. Let's have a bit more pride in our city and fly the flags.

What are they going to do with the ones that were removed?

CRISPIN Hull's article (The Examiner, June 24) is very valuable in that it makes us aware of the latest technologies being researched and used by the military.

The frightening part of all this is the use of technology as cyber attacks.

The public broadcasting system in the US reported a few days ago on a cyber attack by the US on part of the Russian electricity system.

This was ordered by the Secretary of Defence directly to the Head of Cyber Command apparently without involving President Donald Trump.

Again on June 24, a news report stated that the US committed a cyber attack ordered by President Trump on a weapons system of Iran. The problem is there are no rules around this kind of warfare.

It can be very disruptive as Hull points out. If an attack occurred on Australian fuel lines, we have only about 20 days worth of fuel stockpiled.

An example of how harmful cyber attacks, even on non-military targets can be, is the shutting down of the British National Health System some time ago by hackers.

The other way this new form of attack can be so damaging is that small groups can carry out guerilla warfare against powerful nations which could be very damaging to a country's infrastructure and services which are so heavily dependent on internet control.

As a world, we need to stop the use of cyber attacks until we have agreed upon their use in the present and future.

AFTER reading in (The Examiner, June 8) that the "City of Hobart Council has asked the LGAT to lobby the state government to extend the smoking distance from doorways", I am earnestly pleading for the permanent ban of smoking within the periphery of all supermarkets.

It's illegal to drink alcohol in a public place, even though it has no direct effect on passers-by, yet smoking is permissible in areas frequented by people with vulnerable children.

Non-smokers deserve the right to breathe clean, fresh air.

SENATOR Eric Abetz, would you kick up as much fuss about a Go Fund Me page if it was from a homeless person in light of the incompetence of the government to provide housing for the homeless and working poor?

Or is just the religious aspect that gets your attention?

IN a country where we are told that our native animals are becoming extinct faster than anywhere else in the world, it is extremely sad and worrying to hear that a number of black swans have been slaughtered at Dilston on the East Tamar.

It is a delight to observe these swans especially when the cygnets have hatched.

These birds mate for life and if one of a pair is slaughtered, the remaining bird just pines.

Surely swans and farming can co-exist.