She also enjoys an entertainment allowance that other MPs don't get, and she has been on numerous overseas training trips. Ms Hickey wants more.

Meanwhile, every day we hear about the health, homeless and housing crisis.

More funding is needed in mental health, prison services and for drug rehabilitation programs.

Child protection services can't keep up with demand, and we need more paramedics.

Can Ms Hickey suggest which of these areas her pay rise should be paid?

IN response to Francis Sheahan and Geoff McLean (The Examiner, August 28), I'd just like to say thanks, fellas, it's nice to know that someone actually reads my letters and healthy debate is always stimulating.

I totally agree with both gentlemen's comments, but I'm still convinced that Steve Smith was targeted.

Let's face it, look at the difference in our team without him.

Only one batsman (batter is what they put on fish) really made the grade and even he committed the cardinal sin of running on a misfield.

NOWHERE in Armitage Auctions advertising, was the word Nazi mentioned.

The sale was of World War II German military items; it was tastefully conducted.

Throughout the world, collectors refer to the German Army in World War II, not that other word.

Few idolise, legitimise or commemorate them, but the men, women and boys who fought for them were doing what they were ordered to do.

My good friend who is now deceased served in World War II in the German Army.

A lovely man and a good mate of four decades.

When The Sound of Music was performed in Launceston by the Encore Theatre Company late last year, did Robert Lee (The Examiner, August 28) profess his outrage at the two huge red flags bearing the Swastika and the soldier wearing his German-Nazi uniform?

Why do some people have to stir up trouble in our community?

The initial alarmist would have had to search hard to find the so-called offending items; they were not highlighted.

THE federal government's handling of the Tamil family who have applied for refuge in Australia has sunk to an abysmal low.

Asking for asylum to flee persecution is the right of any member of the human family. Australia, until recently, has had a long tradition of supporting people who are at risk of being harmed and have readily offered sanctuary to them.

This family is well-established in the Australian community and has the support of many people.

Furthermore, two of the children were born in Australia and they would certainly fit into its way of life.

It appears that the Immigration Minister has discretionary powers to allow the family to remain in Australia.

If any family deserves a break then asylum seekers Nadesalingam and Priya and their children must top the list.

PLEASE God, give Tassie a football team and spare us from this incessant nonsense.

I WANT a $5 million grant from the Tasmanian Government or a deposit, and I will start to build the land bridge between Tasmania and Victoria.

I can build it in two years and at the cost of a new hospital and it will generate so much employment and wealth for Tassie.

It has to happen and I am the man to do it, I can do it with one D10 Cat bulldozer.

Let's get your government moving, let's put it to the vote with The Examiner's help.

Steve Rogers (The Examiner, August 29) criticism of Jo Palmer's column about Alan Jones is a disturbing misrepresentation of what Jones said.

Jo's take on what Jones said was completely accurate yet you and Robin Simpson (The Examiner, August 29) blatantly distort and sugarcoated his words.

There should be no ambiguity, he did not say "put a sock in it" as he also suggested our Prime Minister administer a backhander to Jacinda Ardern.

He is a blot on our media landscape and reached his use-by date long ago.

Steve Rogers, your suggestion to Jo Palmer to confine her comments could not be more offensive.

You might care to reflect as to how your right to free speech should be equally available to everyone else with a strong opinion.

I BELIEVE the government firstly should make available free public transport for two days a week to see how things work out - Thursday and Friday.

IT'S about time that people with religious beliefs are protected from being discriminated against with the proposed law. I support Christian Porter and the Liberals to introduce this new law.

It is interesting to see the opponents come out against it because they know what is written in God's word, even though they don't believe in it and therefore should not be an issue for them.