Port Arthur massacre killer movie Nitram has people on fence

THE editorial on local government (The Examiner, September 23) is timely.

It is a ludicrous waste of public funds that the present situation continues.

If change is left to those most benefiting from the present over-government, we will never see change.

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It is unrealistic to ask those benefiting from the present situation to be architects of any change.

This has been government policy now for a quarter century and not one iota of change has occurred in that time. Rationalisation of local government in Tasmania would bring about a range of benefits.

Firstly, the remaining councils would not need to be so heavily subsidised, the $10 million or so in annual savings being available for distribution.

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Polls have indicated strong support, it just needs some intestinal fortitude on the part of state parliamentarians, without point scoring and petty concern about minor issues.

Tasmania needs no more than four local government jurisdictions, North-West, North and South, West of the Derwent and East of the Derwent.

This would mean governments able to undertake major infrastructure developments with each area able to undertake significant improvements to community facilities.

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Above all else, we would be rid of the pointless, costly duplications so much a feature of our state presently.

All this will take is a state government firmly committed and a parliament with Tasmania's best interests firmly in mind.

I urge parliamentary leaders to come together and find common purposes for the benefit of all Tasmanians.

WHAT a mighty galloper the Bill Ryan trained Tasmanian mare Still A Star is.

Seventeen starts in Tassie and in a highly competitive Victoria.

Seventeen starts for nine wins and seven placings, statistics to dream of.

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The five-year-old daughter of Toronado (IRE) is a winner of multiple black-type races in both states and most recently the Group two Rose of Kingston Stakes at Flemington on Turnbull Stakes day.

Earning prize money of almost $900,000 in the process.

Sold by Tasmania's boutique Alva Stud for a mere $13,000 at the 2018 Tasmanian Magic Millions Sales. A proverbial goldmine, a tribute to her trainer.

SO Gladys has gone.

For all her faults, I personally think that she is far more sinned against than sinning.

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In a long term relationship trust must always play an important part and I feel that, using an ancient cliché, love is blind and there seems to be a possibility that her judgement was compromised as a result.

More victim than villain I feel.

Anyway, I hope that she can enjoy life in the future without the pressures of politics.