After having a recent Right to Information request accepted by the Ombudsman I was informed a decision could be some time away as the average time was 568 days with 67 active external reviews.

When I asked about another case I was informed that it had been active for 872 days; the 10th oldest case; and how it had been farmed out to someone else to deal with but as yet as far as they know a decision has not yet been written.

As I see it, this is shocking maladministration by this government; its integrity is in tatters.

How could any decent parliamentary member align themselves with this behaviour?

THERE'S not usually a real lot to smile about these days, but when I see and hear the little Cadbury girl say "happy birthday mum", I smile every time.

Well done to the advertising men and women who created it.

HUON Aquaculture's announcement this week that it's moving closer to "closed-loop" fish farming on land is to be applauded and its competitors need to be encouraged to follow suit.

But no-one should think this means the levels of pollutants and debris released by fish farms into our coastal waters and rivers will diminish.

That's because a huge expansion into Storm Bay is already underway so that overall production will at least double.

While each fish may spend less time in our waters, there will be vastly more of them.

That is a long way behind the huge "closed-loop" land-based salmon farms on the verge of production overseas - farms that are close to the markets they serve.

Huon, Tassal and Petuna should follow suit and accept they cannot continue to make use of our public waterways with diminishing public support, at such little cost and with such lax government oversight.

Tasmania has outgrown its state flag.

The current flag has been in use since 1876 and does not represent Tasmanians living in the 21st century.

It does not represent Tasmanian Aborigines who have lived here for tens of thousands of years (in fact it reminds them of the loss and bloodshed the Europeans brought with them). It does not represent the migrant and refugee families who work to contribute to this state.

It does not represent my Italian grandfather who came here after the war to build our Hydro-Electric Scheme, ensuring all Tasmanians had a higher standard of living. It does not represent a modern and proud Tasmania. Let's change it.

I notice some local restaurants and cafes still impose a surcharge on weekends and public holidays.

We know their employees have lost all penalty rates, so who is pocketing this little bonus?

NEWS filters down slowly to Tasmania.

Professor Jill Margo, NSW was able to achieve media of advanced stroke treatment.

Three brilliant stroke specialists Professors Geoffry Donnan, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Stephen Davis, The Brain Centre and Robert Ackerman have developed advanced stroke treatment that increases the number of patients that return home to normal life instead of living in permanent disability in a nursing home bed.

They introduced the first ambulance fully equipped with specialised scanning equipment and trained stroke teams operating within 24 kilometres of the hospital - time saved can save loss of brain.

Their research improves acceleration through emergency treatment away from patients being subjected to delays and cuts down the time taken for some procedures - every minute counts.

We have a list of full-time resident specialist services missing at the Launceston General Hospital.

Will Hodgman is in a difficult position, one option hand full financial responsibility for all hospitals to the federal government.

CONGRATULATIONS to The Examiner and the Riverside Golf Club on the excellent feature on promotion of croquet recently (The Examiner, July 6).

At the present time with an emphasis on a percentage of people in the community being overweight, croquet could be the answer as an introduction to enjoyable exercise for all ages as individuals or groups.

Croquet lawns are readily available with the two new ones at Riverside servicing the West Tamar, eight at the Northern Tasmania Croquet Centre, one at East Launceston Croquet Club and one at Royal Park Croquet Club.

Croquet is also played at George Town, St Helens, Latrobe and Devonport.

Interested people are invited to contact the clubs in their suburb to try this interesting game.

All equipment is provided.