Harvesting is in the national social and economic interest. It is my understanding that if work is offered, taxpayer-funded recipients of JobStart are obliged to take up that work if they are job-ready. There should be no ifs or buts. I have little doubt that there would be a rush to take up available jobs if the payment of unemployment benefits was withdrawn from those who failed to take up legitimate employment opportunities.

IT was reported recently in the media, again, the dire situation farmers are finding themselves dire a lack of farmworkers and fruit pickers and the need to bring in international pickers. About $38 million of fruit and veggies has already been lost due to the shortage of farmworkers.

There is a huge pool nationally of available workers, they are called JobSeeker receivers.

When will the federal government, through Centrelink, make it compulsory for those on this welfare payment, especially those in or near rural areas, to apply for seasonal work on farms or have their payments reduced?

It is a no brainer; the employment pool is there, waiting to be financially encouraged to help those on the land. Or would it be too big a vote loser for the government?

ZOE Wundenberg's article analysing the government's controversial cashless debit card is informative, food for thought and at the same time should serve as a warning for any working-age individual (The Examiner, January 5). Informative as the article forensically details how the coalition refused to release details from multiple studies into the program.

Have backbenchers openly opposing the CDC. And as a clincher explains the plethora of stakeholders who are opposed to the program. Food for thought as no matter how safe and secure one may feel in their employment, like anyone they are potentially the next pandemic, redundancy, injury, or illness away from the welfare safety net Australia's politicians oversee on behalf of their constituents.

The author is correct to ask, "The trial failed the people, who is it benefiting?".

In response I would say, "In any welfare system including the CDC it will not be the welfare recipient".

IT is a poor result that this charge was dismissed.

Protect our animals.

Our lawmakers are well paid to do their job and should do it correctly.

This law should be amended accordingly and immediately.

TRUMP is the perfect example of how power corrupts absolutely.

With one person holding ultimate power, Australia should never become a Republic.

THIS letter may be helpful to Victor Marshall and others (The Examiner, January 9).

It is thanks to Jesus Christ who is the Light in this dark world that we have the likes of The City Mission, The Leprosy Mission, The Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul, the Red Cross and many others.

Jesus teaches everyone that to have peace in this world we must love our neighbour as much as we love ourselves.

Do good to those who hate us.

Be a servant of one another and above all else love God who is sinless, hate what is evil and love one another.

If everyone obeyed his teachings there would be no poor starving people.

More equality.

Crops would not be sprayed with poisons just to make more money which causes cancers in children and adults.

Chemicals would not be added to food.

Having been at death's door in the Launceston General Hospital 25 years ago I have since then known without a doubt there is life after death for all who believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Before that, I was just like Mr Marshall and others.

AS 2020 has been enveloped over time, please contemplate the deaths of about 50 journalists in countries of which the majority are not at war including Mexico, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Iraq and Nigeria.

Journalists merely performing their profession by reporting on corruption, nepotism and the treatment of women, for example, have unfortunately made the ultimate sacrifice and should be remembered for their courageous contribution to democracy and the rule of law.

WELL, may we shriek "Fix the Mud", but pray to tell, to whom or what is that plaintive plea directed?

You, me, just whose job is it to be responsible for the Tamar's River health?

Those Seaport food business owners quoted in Sunday's front-page article didn't seem to know, either (The Examiner, January 10).

They stated the bleeding obvious that a muddy river is no good for business (Melbourne does OK though), but neither plan nor a possible enabler got any mention.

So who are they addressing with their plentiful protest signs of "Fix the Mud"?

Identify someone and have them commence work on an achievable objective, lest we be stuck in the muds for eternity.