Also, given how many COVID-19 cases seem to be asymptomatic, maybe requiring testing for each person who lands in Tasmania from Melbourne might be prudent as a bare minimum. I get the need to open borders - just a bit of common sense to avoid an outbreak would be great.

WHILE many question the government's fixation on Westbury we know, thanks to Labor's Right To Information request, that other sites were identified in Latrobe, Wivenhoe and Rocherlea. At the time the government defended Westbury as the preferred site, stating the other sites weren't suitable because they weren't flat, needed too much work done etc.

Yet the government's response to being driven off their preferred site at Westbury was to produce a parcel of land that's not flat and needs to be cleared and have extensive work done. So why this new site, and not one of the other preferred sites?

A quick look at the 2018 election results proves illuminating. Rocherlea - Liberal Party votes 386 vs 236 for Labor, of those Liberal votes 158 were for now-Premier Gutwein. Wivenhoe - Liberal votes 303 vs 147 for Labor. Latrobe - Liberal votes 1396 vs 599 for Labor, of those Liberal votes 838 were for Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

While the government continues to say building the prison is fulfilling an important election promise, it looks like they don't want to build it anywhere that might damage their chance of re-election - which is probably the most important selection criteria of all.

WE urgently need a 24/7 facility for Veterans and First Responders suffering with PTSD to be provided in Tasmania.

We have great places like Mates for Mates and others but these are only available in business hours. After sending many emails to both federal and state ministers, the only personal response I have received has been from Jacquie Lambie's Office. There is money for extending the Australian War Memorial and medals for the few remaining WW II veterans, but what about the living?

There is money for review after review for VC candidates, but what about the living?

I am convinced that our older vets would prefer to see their children and grandchildren, who followed in their footsteps, be better cared for. Our vets and first responders stood up when needed.

It is time our ministers did the same.

IN response to Mr Brett Michael Smith on (The Examiner, July 25) regarding fishing being undertaken in Commonwealth waters off Tasmania. It is important to ensure there are facts in any debate and there are several important facts when it comes to Petuna Sealord Deepwater Fishing's blue grenadier fishing activity.

Australia is highly regarded for having well managed and sustainable fisheries.

This was confirmed in the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resources Economics and Science Fisheries Status Reports 2019, which showed that none of the fish stocks managed by the Australian Government were subject to overfishing.

Australia's blue grenadier fishery is recognised at the highest level for its sustainability. In 2015, PSDF earned Marine Stewardship Council certification for this species, which is considered gold standard.

The PSDF vessels are fishing under Australian Government fisheries management framework, managed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

This means there are several strict controls in place to ensure the continued sustainability of the blue grenadier fishery.

AFMA enforces pre-fishing inspections of vessels, bycatch mitigation strategies and the presence of an AFMA observer onboard these vessels 100 per cent of the time while fishing. AFMA also enforces strict sustainable catch limits by setting a Total Allowable Catch based on robust and scientific research. In recent seasons, quota holders, including PSDF, have not caught the TAC. AFMA figures show that in 2019-20 around 53 per cent of the TAC was caught, in 2018-19 around 19 per cent, 2017-18 around 17 per cent and in 2016-17 it was around 14 per cent. Without doubt, the fishing industry is one of Tasmania's most proud and important economic pillars.

More than 11,600 Tasmanians work in the seafood industry.

These are hardworking men and women, who share the same passion for sustainability as Mr Smith - after all, their livelihood depends on it.

WE are now informed that those going to work with the disease are responsible for the further spread, but they neglect to understand that the bug does not make itself apparent for several days, so how are they to know? Victoria, along with NSW need to be both shutdown and isolated immediately until it is eradicated for the safety of the rest of the country.