LAUNCESTON EASTERN BYPASS
THE proposed study into the route of the eastern bypass should be more than joining dots on a map; this has been done many times before. There are Tasmanian government-produced maps with routes marked on them, fourth edition dated 1973 and 9th edition not dated.
There have been several proposals and studies over the past 60 years for an eastern bypass and at least one by the federal Department of Transport Economics.
It was they who proposed the cheapest route possible using existing residential roads, Quarantine Road, now Johnsons Road, St Leonards Road, Ravenswood Road, Wildor Crescent and Vermont Road without consulting, noting or considering the concerns of residents along that route.
This new study should undertake comprehensive consultation with all residents on the current de facto eastern bypass route so that they may express their existing concerns. Some years ago a considerable amount of cash was made available to build part of the Bypass between Hoblers Bridge Road and Henry Street but this cash was diverted to a project in Southern Tasmania.
Dennis Camplin, Ravenswood.
BAN VENTURE FROM TARKINE
THANK YOU to the Bob Brown Foundation protesters who continue to fight against destructive climate-unfriendly practices in the Tarkine/takayna.
Australia's largest temperate rainforest in the Tarkine/takayna is threatened by two giant mines if the Venture Minerals mine at Riley Creek goes ahead.
This area will be transformed from a beautiful world-heritage class wilderness into piles of rubble, and ongoing environmental impacts will devastate the area for decades if not hundreds of years.
For the sake of our planet, stop this nonsense.
Felicity Holmes, Tinderbox.
STATE'S ABORIGINAL POLICY
WHAT would the Catholic response be if the state decided who was Catholic?
Would the state be game enough to even make such a move?
The single standout feature of Aboriginal policy in Tasmania is the government deciding who is Aboriginal.
Although the government does not decide who is a migrant, or a woman, or who is ALP or Liberal, it does decide who is Aboriginal.
This is contrary to all international human rights documents that Australia abides by.
No other group of people in Tasmania have their identity decided by the government.
This discriminatory policy is the legacy of former premier Hodgman, a policy now actively endorsed by Minister Roger Jaensch.
An unsuspecting public is now buying 'Aboriginal' art from these white people, trusting government labels of authenticity.
Michael Mansell, chairman, Aboriginal Land Council.
DRIVER FOR ABUSE
TO HAVE any success in stopping the violence, sexual abuse and harassment of women and girls we must address the underlying issue of pornography and the devastating impact it has on normalising sexual violence, and conditioning boys and men to view women as sexual objects.
eChildhood, an organisation focused on internet safety for children, has reported that 88 per cent of popular porn scenes contain physical aggression, 94 per cent towards women and, very importantly, in 95 per cent of cases the victim was shown to react with passive acceptance or with pleasure.
What amounts to training in violence and perversion is being delivered online 24/7.
Australian data (2019) from an internet filtering software company used in schools found one-third of students aged eight and under attempted to access online pornography in the past six months, with some acting out what they have seen.
Research shows that, whether as adults or minors, those who watch these sites are more likely to view women as sex objects, more accepting of sexual violence, and more likely to believe the myth that women enjoy being raped.
It's time we joined the dots.
Pat Gartlan, Hobart.
STARK COMPARISON
CONGRATULATIONS to independent Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney on getting the voluntary assisted dying bill passed.
You have shown great courage and conviction unlike the Prime Minister and others in the Liberal Party who are just interested in spin and cover up.
Michael Robinson, Beauty Point.
NOT ALL HOMES ARE THE SAME
I REFER to the letter written by Dick James (The Examiner, February 18).
Mr James noted that there are 12 nursing homes in the Launceston area and although he has visited only one he gives the impression that all nursing homes are run in the same manner, when the opposite is the case.
My wife is unfortunate to suffer from dementia but fortunate to be a resident of Aldersgate Nursing Home.
Aldersgate is a happy place staffed by smiling dedicated staff and carers and marvellous volunteers.
They actively encourage residents to take part in activities such as trivia, bobs (a 103-year-old resident plays bobs), bus trips, shopping trips and so on.
There are about 30 activities for residents to enjoy per week. This home is very well managed where residents care is paramount. I just wish correspondents would not generalise, especially when it could reflect badly on well-run institutions.
