Then the discourse on the cost to the economy.

Well laid out and highly pertinent.

On costs, however, not one mention of the following: the number of deaths, the number of hospitalisations, the impact on our health systems and the broader implications for those without the virus requiring medical support and intervention.

Then not one suggestion as to what could have been done.

Then there is the foment of those decrying their rights are being impinged upon, who also have not thought through that clogged up hospital systems, infected health workers (of which there have been far too many), and lack of medical safety equipment will make our society even more vulnerable with serious economic consequences.

"Self-destruction" - only an economist could overlook our biological vulnerability and paint our vital response as an own goal for prosperity.

Yes, we must get back to work, but equally we must never - as Carling clearly does - see this as either the economy or bust.

Tony Newport, Hillwood.

AFTER having my faith in the profession of economists boosted recently by the open letter from Australian economists urging the government to prioritise people's lives and health over short-term economic costs, cracks formed when I read economist Robert Carling's opinion piece (The Examiner, April 27).

Because our current financial hardship is a consequence of "deliberate policy choice", he favours calling it "the great self-destruction".

As I would rather my elderly relatives stay alive, I would call the successful strategy the government has applied "the great saving".

Mr Carling seems not to get that, for most of us, our 'standard of living' is more affected by quality of life (that is, not having widespread deaths occurring) than by dollars.

He even uses the duplicitous strategy of claiming that medical advice is split.

This is the tactic of the climate change denier, and used to be the tobacco industry's defence.

Medical opinion is not split.

We are trying to save thousands of lives here.

And, ironically, when we do, it will be better for the economy in the long run as well.

Gary Bakker, Legana.

THE decision to berth the Spirit of Tasmania ferries in Geelong is a no brainer on all the metrics outlined by the state government in my opinion.

We relocated to south-west Victoria last year on the Spirit and the Station Pier location is not a passenger, let alone freight, friendly location to say the least from my experiences travelling both ways.

By comparison, the proposed site is a few kilometres from the Geelong CBD and its amenable waterfront with quick access to the freeway to Melbourne or Colac or down to the Great Ocean Road.

There is also the option of high speed rail up to Melbourne and rail as far as Warrnambool to the west.

I just do not get the ALP commenting that the COVID-19 thing makes this decision premature let alone wrong.

The opposite is more likely as tourism is going to have a major shake-up thanks to COVID-19.

Tourism within the country is a likely growth area, as well as the freight potential.

Victoria is a Tasmanian colony and the two economies have always been heavily integrated since the days of the sealers (with apologies to the indigenous peoples).

This move invests in that fact.

M Seward, Port Fairy.

IN regards to "Wild deer meet opposed" (The Examiner, April 24), why does Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett hide behind an outdated government response that is a cryptic set of weasel words?

This political denial is very old school.

No trial is needed, and landowners and deer farmers can't fix the issue.

Commercial harvesting of wild deer for human consumption needs accredited shooters and processors that comply with health standards.

The minister's response makes no sense.

Wild deer are culled through crop protection permits because they destroy crops and the environment.

Those deer are left to rot if not eaten by hunters, their friends or pets.

Minister, stop the waste and allow commercial use of this quality meat.

This is an economic opportunity to develop a quality product that fits Tasmania's fine food brand.

If deer numbers fall so crop protection permits are not needed, then commercial use will stop.

There will always be deer to hunt.

No one will lose.

Well done to independent MLC Kerry Finch for leadership and shining a light on this puzzling situation.

Robert Campbell, Trevallyn.

I AGREE with Barry Prismall (The Examiner, April 26) about changing the morbid Australian national anthem to We Are Australian.

What a way to reconcile the nation moving forward, recognising all Australians as one.

Not sure on the flag, doesn't bother me one way or another.

I stand for the anthem but never sing it, it's boring.

January 26 needs to go, to allow Australians to stand as one .

Ricky Hunt, Turners Marsh.