That money is needed urgently to look after our people and reduce the ridiculous waiting times of which I have experienced, a seven-month wait on category one urgent for a brain aneurysm operation.

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I don't blame the hospital or the staff, they do an incredible job with what they have.

Now, all we need is for politicians of all persuasions to put their brains into gear and do the right thing for the people of our beautiful Tasmania.

IF IT is the case that only the Liberals can form a majority government, then we should think about what the alternative is.

It would mean that whoever the Labor leader is after the election, they would have to do a deal with the Greens to form a partnership.

That would hold Tasmania back.

We know from experience that a Labor minority government would see Green MPs as ministers.

I'm sure most Tasmanians would be worried about having Cassy O'Connor and Rosalie Woodruff sitting at the cabinet table making decisions about the future of forestry, mining and jobs.

The election result is not a certainty with our Hare-Clark system, so it is worth considering what is best for our state's future when casting our ballots.

STATISTICS released by the Justice Reform Initiative recently shows that over the past decade there has been a gobsmacking 40 per cent increase in the jail population in Tasmania.

This would alarm many in the community as it seems to suggest that there has been a shocking increase in crime over the same period.

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But people need not be alarmed on that count. All that has been on the increase in poverty, homelessness and an epidemic of untreated mental illness in our community making jail the only option.

These social crises have fuelled the rising jail population, which costs the Tasmanian taxpayer $122,000 per inmate per annum.

It's now clear that the Liberal government needs a new prison to house those in our community who have no place to live and no hospital to go to.

It's a great place to conceal them from the public.

HOW on earth are we to understand just what the Labor Party's position is on the much-needed Northern Prison?

IN OTHER NEWS:

In recent days, Labor luminary Lara Giddings has strongly rejected the idea, whereas just a few weeks ago Labor's Jen Butler was unambiguously clear that her party "is committed to building the Northern Prison" albeit not at the site proposed by the government.

The Labor Party can't have it both ways, it either supports a northern prison or it doesn't.

WITH promises and dollars floating in the air, for a lot of voters, it isn't easy to choose the candidates that should be elected.

Good advice is to watch the performance of local government mayors or senior councillors who have thrown their hat in the ring this time.

Janie Finlay in Launceston and mayor Dean Winter in Kingborough are two examples of people who have proved their competence in local government where understanding your constituents and delivering the services is the main goal.

I grew up in Scottsdale where we were always close to our local councils.

Being close to your community is a good learning lesson that explains why Janie Finlay is so popular after 20 plus years in local government and being elected as the youngest mayor in Australia.

New blood in the Parliament is long overdue but a good track record in local government can be a great indicator of talent and a capacity to really care about your community.

WHAT is the difference between the number of people at the Sydney Royal Easter show and the number of people at the football over the weekend.

These events operated safely and no COVID cases came out of this and they were larger numbers with smaller amounts of space. Does the Premier have no faith in Tasmanians? Does he forget that he is running to be our Premier again?

This could hurt his campaign

WHY we are forced to spend so much time listening to arguments about who's to blame for surgical waiting lists and other essential services shortages.

Waiting without action until we hear more election promises. We as the people of this and every other Australian state need real action and resolution to these issues.

It is not good enough to be forced to live without change until election time rolls around.

HAVING spent my usual Tuesday morning volunteering at New Horizons Tasmania Craft group, I feel dismayed that with the state election so close no party has promised ongoing financial support for this wonderful community organisation.

That's a shame to say the least.