WE NEED MORE LAMBIES
JACKSON Worthington's interview with Senator Jacqui Lambie (The Sunday Examiner, December 27) reveals an open, passionate and courageous politician. Most revealing was her comment that when trying to negotiate a deal with the government, "They will do everything they possibly can to do you over and undercut you". A good example of Senator Lambie's principled and effective role is the way she worked with Senators Griff and Patrick to insist on an inquiry into the government's attempt to amend the Environmental Protect and Biodiversity Conservation Act before the Samuel review is released. We need more Jacqui Lambies in Australian politics.
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Ray Peck, Hawthorn.
PRISON OVERHAUL NEEDED
IVAN Dean's column in (The Examiner, December 26) concerning the future of the Ashley Youth Detention centre raises long-standing problems about Tasmania's prison system. These must be solved with immediate fundamental reforms.
The government's only policy is to spend up to $700 million to start up another grim maximum-security prison at Westbury. Their justifications are twofold - we have failed to curb the incarceration rate so a second prison must be built, and prisoners from the north need access to family to help in their rehabilitation.
This latter reason appears to be obvious, but Mr Dean relates his experience as a senior police officer in the north, to suggest this is not necessarily true. Why has the government not published figures showing lower recidivism for prisoners with families in the south? Are there any such figures?
Members of parliament need to do the job taxpayers pay them for and start solving this seriously escalating problem with sustainable and credible policies.
Chris Donaldson, Westbury.
RAILWAY SHENANIGANS
HOW can the council be given the job of assessing its own proposal when it comes from a biased position?How come the proposed sharing arrangement gives Dorset control of Launceston parts of the North-East Railway, especially high tourist attractive areas such as Lilydale Falls and the Tunnel? Is this because it takes a steep hill out of the equation? Why has machinery been moved to the rail line to start its removal when it hasn't been passed? These questions among a thousand others need to be addressed before anything happens.
Ken Terry, Bridport.
FISHING LICENCE NONSENSE
I DECIDED to take up a hobby to alleviate the boredom that comes with not working. I looked into fresh and saltwater fishing which I haven't done since leaving school. I went to purchase a fishing licence at Service Tasmania and was surprised to see the actual cost of the freshwater licence, but didn't know about the need for saltwater licence. I can understand charging for a trout licence because of the work of inland fisheries do, but having to get licenced to fish in saltwater seems over the top. Is there work being carried out around coastlines by government departments to warrant these fees or is it just another revenue raiser? I don't mind paying if it's warranted but it seems unfair to be charging for something that has always been and will always be available to Tasmanians who require a feed of fish.
