Labor Opposition gone missing?
WHERE is Tasmania's Opposition, turned tail and run it seems as they did with the Major Projects Bill (The Examiner, Sept 24)?
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It seems to be becoming a habit for the Tasmanian Labor Party; recently they had an excellent policy opposing poker machines backflipping on that in the face of strong opposition from the government and pressure from the gaming industry.
Labor is aware of strong public support, backed by statistics, for including compulsory cat confinement in the Cat Management Act yet failed to move an amendment to have that included in the Bill.
Now they have capitulated, in the face of strong pressure from the government and developers, by failing to move the amendment they moved in the Lower House to include the right of appeal in the Major Projects Bill in the Upper House after previously saying they would.
An Opposition Party is supposed to be just that; an Opposition, a tough Opposition and one that sticks by its principles and doesn't run away when the government and developers say boo. In the late 1980s thousands marched through the streets of Hobart and Launceston to successfully stop an unpopular pulp mill, they did so again in the 2000s for exactly the same reason.
It now appears, with no other opportunity open to them, the community, the little people, will be forced to portray their opposition to unpopular developments by taking to the streets. This weak, spineless and ineffective mob certainly won't be getting my vote in the next election, as an Opposition, they have failed miserably so how on earth can they expect to form a credible government.
Jim Collier, Legana.
Imported potatoes decision joke
THE news that (The Examiner, September 25) imported potatoes from the Mitolo Group will enter Tasmania through the group being granted an import licence without the potato growers of Tasmania knowing, it's fair the growers are very worried about disease. Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett said not to worry; there was no greater supporter of Tasmanian agriculture than the Gutwein's Liberal government. Well, after that statement I think he should take up writing jokes for Col Elliott.
Allan Slater, Ravenswood.
Cover east and west with ferries
REPLYING to Peter Newsom (The Examiner, September 21).
During five years in the late 70s, I worked for the public work, and ports and harbours of Victoria as a wharf carpenter based at crib point/stony point depot. I worked over a large area of Westernport Bay. One of the last projects discussed was a fast ferry service to Tasmania- the Tiger Line. Tests were done for foundations, boring for underground water. A workmate was Les (Wallaby) Jackson. Wallaby was a famous boatman in the Bass Strait. I also worked on this project. He always said how much shorter it was to come that way. On leaving the PWD, I took a contract with my family wrecking houses and buildings on the foreshore which I was led to believe was for facilities for the line. There is and was then excellent rail and road services to Melbourne from Frankston and surrounds. After moving to Tasmania in 1985, our family has done well over 100 crossings on TT-Line and various boats. My ideal travel option would be one boat to Geelong and one to Hastings servicing both east and west.