Anthony Albanese dodged a question regarding the urgent need for a dedicated hospice in Launceston instead 'lumping' it in the aged care basket. It is not only 'old' people who need excellent end of life care Mr Albanese. Children, young people with disabilities, teenagers, mothers with young children and many others, would also access hospice care if it was available to them

We call on Labor Bass candidate Ross Hart, Labor senator Helen Polley, Liberal Bass MHR Bridget Archer and state Veterans Affairs Minister Guy Barnett to ensure we do not hear a repeat of the heartbreaking, disgraceful Harry Reeve story.

All Northern Tasmanians expect and deserve what is a basic human right - to die well.

I AM so sorry for the appalling lack of care Rex Reeve was subjected to at the hands of staff at the LGH (The Examiner, April 8). I have heard too many similar accounts of negligence, abuse, lack of compassion and inadequate patient care by medical and other staff at the LGH.

As for Ms Duncan's (woeful) response, stating patient safety and care is a priority at the LGH, it clearly isn't. These might indeed be difficult times, but there is no excuse for what is essentially patient abuse.

Moreover, the problems at the LGH preceded COVID by decades and are well known in the community. Is it any wonder so many try to avoid going, and can be heard cynically stating "if you go to the LGH, you probably won't come out again". My sincere condolences to the Reeve family.

I STUDIED environmental science at high school in the early 1990s, where I became acutely aware of climate change and the negative impacts that humans are having on the environment, and the lack of government action to respond to these impacts.

Here we are 30 years later in 2022, and nothing has changed. Governments are still refusing to act, industries are still given incentives to pollute, and politicians fail to look beyond the next election.

My mental health, and that of my friends has been persistently adversely affected by the continued lack of action by governments in the face of climate change and environmental destruction.

This form of mental anguish has a name: solastalgia, which describes emotional distress caused by climate change.

This distress compels me to fight for the health of the environment in Tasmania by writing letters, talking to politicians, reading relevant scientific information and partaking in non-violent direct action.

Bass MHA Guy Barnett accuses people like me of being environmental terrorists.

He continues to push the industry agenda, claiming that environmentalists are threatening workplaces, and must be stopped.

Mr Barnett states that we are unlawful in our actions and we need harsher penalties.

It does not take a lot of intelligence to recognise that the industry activities Mr Barnett is protecting are the exact same activities that are causing environmental damage and climate change.

Perhaps it is time for the laws protecting environmental destruction to change, and for environmental activists to be protected in their endeavours to create a better world.

It is time we stopped supporting outdated and destructive industry activities such as native forest logging and mining.

The law needs to change so that industry and the government get penalised for destruction, and the environmental protesters are praised for exposing what is clearly environmental vandalism.

IT is always heartening to read about aspiring young people "Comp for STEM students" (The Examiner, April 8).

The annual science and engineering challenge seems a fantastic way to engage and inspire students and encourage STEM literacy.

It's also positive that the group recognises the need for science and engineering in tackling our extensive environmental problems.

With appropriate support and encouragement, engaged young people are perfectly placed to address these seemingly overwhelming challenges. Being actively involved in solutions provides them with a sense of agency rather than despair.

It is, however, most vital that we adults take responsibility to champion and action climate and environmental solutions, thus supporting our bright young people in promoting a positive pathway toward a more prosperous, sustainable future.