Swift Parrot needs intervention
Now we have it, more devastating news on the Swift Parrot. An Australian National University study has shown a drastic decline in its population, increasing the likelihood of extinction and are asking for urgent conservation action to halt further population decline. While it is clear that much of the blame lies with the clearing of native forest, and to some extent sugar glider predation, land clearing for development and roads adds to the problem.
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Here at Break ODay we are facing yet more threats to the population due to a proposed road widening allowing the blocking of nest sites prior to cutting down trees known to be their nesting and foraging sites. This has been done so they can go somewhere else in the meantime.
A nameless environmental consultant has given this advice to justify the action taken. Any such consultant worthy of the name would know this is not how it works, with such huge losses of suitable trees over time, there is nowhere else they can go, just as we cannot move into our neighbour's home when ours is gone. The suggestion of planting more trees as replacement is just as ludicrous as it will be up to 120 years before they become hollow-bearing. Do we need the road widening for a couple of kilometres to allow drivers a passing lane just before St Helens, especially when there are no passing lanes from here to Conara Junction? Should we straighten out St Mary's Pass? Is Break O' Day council prepared to accept responsibility for contributing to the possible extinction of this iconic species by allowing this project to go ahead?
Beris Hansberry, Gould's Country
Hodgman's new role ludicrous
SURELY in today's politics, a former Liberal Tasmanian Premier anointed to the position of high commissioner of Singapore by a Liberal/National Federal government is simply unacceptable.
Such political nepotism is to be funded by other people's money. Still, it is only one example of an archaic practice of political appointments, including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, where membership resembles a retirement home for past or defeated Liberal/National politicians and their party associates.
Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.
Copping the bulk of the bills
As a Tasmanian living on the mainland, I made the swift move to come home to my family in March. I'm disgusted by the inequality, and lack of access Tasmanians have to bulk billing services. I had medical issues last year in Melbourne and required a CT scan and ultrasound; both were bulk billed. I've had Xrays and gynaecology appointments, both bulk billed.
Then I come home to find that there are no or limited medical centres/specialists that offer bulk billing. Why? To emphasise how ridiculous it is, it would be cheaper to fly to Melbourne in the morning, have a scan, and fly back that night than pay for the service in Launceston. If more doctors, radiologists and specialists bulk-billed, you would quickly reduce the amount of non-emergency visits to the ED, where people are clogging up the hospital.
