They mate for life.

Tragically, residents along John Lees Drive watched in horror as the black swans returning to the wetlands were shot at.

Some died instantly, others flapped as they died slowly.

The shooter drove opposite the roadside boundaries of several properties firing into the flock. Whilst doing so, a resident was checking the mail only metres away from the shooting.

Also, the school bus pulled up at its usual spot to allow children to alight.

Supposedly the shooter is to alert any residents within 250 metres of his intended actions.

Sadly it has been learned that some farmers are allocated licences to shoot black swans (though a protected species) on the basis of crop protection.

Elizabeth File, Dilston

THE state of homelessness in Tasmania has to be addressed by a civil society.

The state housing debt owed to the Commonwealth government must be waived to enable ample funds to address this acute accommodation crisis.

The South Australian Housing Trust, pioneered by economist and historian, the late Professor Hugh Stretton, has indeed been successful in having its social housing waived, thus setting a precedent.

To take a pious, political stand regarding the accumulation of debt over many years may wreak with hypocrisy, especially if one is a Tasmanian Senator, where one vote, one value, is a constitutional conundrum, where all states of the Australian Parliament have 12 Senators each, regardless of population.

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea

THE house my partner, daughter and I live in Ravenswood is falling apart.

It's cold and I have pics to show.

We are expected to pay $250 a week which is not worth it.

The landlord doesn't do anything to fix it and we are now looking at being kicked out because we owe $700 in rent, because my partner has been cut from any payment from Centrelink.

He is only getting $100 and something for our daughter and I have been dropped down to $300 which is only covering food.

Bianca Williams, Ravenswood

SLOGANEERING and virtue signalling have never been a substitute for sound considered policy.

Senator Eric Abetz record of achievement for Tasmania, for example, Hobart Airport upgrades, all things Antarctic, passenger and freight equalisation schemes, roads, irrigation, West Coast Wilderness Railway, were all achieved by targeted advocacy based on credibility in Canberra.

And that includes $30 million for social housing each year.

His duty, which he has clearly fulfilled, is to achieve the best outcomes for Tasmania, not self-serving headlines.

Foisting state incurred debt onto the Federal Government doesn't make it go away.

It just shows you can't take responsibility for your own liabilities.

Chris McIndoe, Sorell