Hitting a nerve
IT seems I've hit a nerve with the truth on pokies harm. Two thirds of Tassie pubs and over 95 per cent of clubs don't have pokies. Pokies create an uneven playing field in the hospitality industry but hold the greatest sway over its representatives. What a shame for the majority of THA members that their whole industry is painted as pro-pokies.
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Every statement I make on the topic of pokies is evidence-based and I stand by them all. I will not stop highlighting the harm caused by pokies which is a reality for tens of thousands of Tasmanians. Losses to pokies in Australia is ten times higher than online gambling.
As I say frequently in my public comments, we can also do more to reduce the harm of online gambling, but it shouldn't be used as a distraction to hide the much bigger pokies problem.
For the record, I have no connection at all, financial or otherwise, to online gambling interests. And quite frankly, it is astonishing to see the pro-pokies lobby in this state throwing around accusations of vested interests or cosy arrangements for financial backers. Glass houses?
Meg Webb MLC, Hobart.
Individual responsibility
NO matter what people think of pokies it's up to the individual to control themselves if they have an issue.
But these people need their jobs back, machines or not. Tourism will be back in full force sooner or later, keep the machines so our people can keep their jobs.
Anne Noy, Invermay.
Money in your pocket
THE gall of the Federal Group and Steve Old of the Tasmanian Hospitality Association in attacking the independent Legislative Council member for Nelson, Meg Webb, for being happy that around $17 million can be spent on necessities instead of lost on the pokies, is breathtaking.
They argue that thousands of workers lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 shutdown.
This was one of the arguments of the tobacco industry, and implies that employing people to move holes back and forth on the road would be a good thing because it provides jobs. The pokies industry is a parasitic industry. It produces only mindless entertainment, with a destructive edge.
If it was gone, people would simply spend on other likely less damaging things, and other jobs would be formed.
Don't be cowed by the people making huge profits from this unproductive, destructive industry, Meg.
Gary Bakker, Legana.
Beach access
I, LIKE so many agree, with John Hoult's letter (The Examiner, April 28) regarding allowing beach access.
As stated in his letter we can all get the exercise we desperately need, and the dogs can start losing weight.
Since the beaches have been closed, footpaths have many people walking backward and forward, in turn social distancing isn't easy as Mr Hoult, of St Helens, wrote.
So please reconsider these unnecessary beach closures Mr Gutwein.
Let us walk the dog, have a fish, swim or surf, as long as we obey the distancing rules.
Lynn Morton, Beaumaris.
National Anthem
CONGRATULATIONS to Barry Prismall on a great article (The Examiner, April 26).
He puts clearly, and with a touch of humour, the case for changing four of our institutions which are no longer fit for purpose - the national anthem, Australia Day, the flag, and the monarchy.
The first was simply a very poor choice; the others originate from a view of the world which no longer depicts the country we are or want to be.
Recent months have given us time to reflect on what things are basic and important to us.
As we emerge from this period let's have a genuine discussion about these "social conundrums and obsolete traditions" as Barry calls them, and also the Constitutional recognition of indigenous people.
Perhaps we could follow with a Referendum Day which might, hopefully, set us on a course that better reflects our pride and values.
Murray Harper, Rose Bay.
Time to Reflect
WHILE in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, we ought to reflect on Australian values and principles we want in a modern country. Barry Prismall (The Examiner, April 26) suggests we "tackle things we found too hard just a few months ago" such as the National Anthem.
A drab song and worded to dismiss our pre-colonised history.
So why is it we dismiss Aboriginal history?
The Constitution was based on the land belonging to no one until European settlement. Not a great start.
The Referendum to recognise the First Peoples fell flat on its face. And the divisiveness of Australia Day: we never voted to divide ourselves, so why do we have a national day shunned by Aborigines?
While it seems we allowed Australia Day to be hijacked by those beholding to the British aristocracy, the 'Change the Date' movement is gaining momentum and so too a new 'essence' of an Australia Day.
History shows leadership comes from within the people, some of whom can be quite prominent such as actor Chris Hemsworth who, as he is in movies, is a leading man, tweeting to his 500,000 followers for a change, as are other community leaders wanting an inclusive country.
Mind you, few politicians will speak out in fear of a voter backlash with the current 'majority rule' at the forefront of their savvy thinking.
They are the type of politician we do not want in a time of crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Graeme Gardner, Launceston.