Letters to the editor | January 2, 2020

Tourist traffic has dropped off due to the declining economy and tough times; highway businesses will confirm this. In previous years the road toll was worse. Workplace safety laws has resulted in more cameras and less police no dangerous roads.

A higher police presence would be better value. The caller claimed less accidents in Europe, where allowable speeds are higher. If drivers were better trained there would be fewer fatalities. There needs to be a higher concentration on driver training to achieve a reduction in accidents and fatalities.

Jay Nauss, Glen Aplin

IN RESPONSE to AM Loader's letter (Examiner, December 30), I feel I must object to the propogated belief that "the majority of people at Westbury" are up in arms regarding the proposed Westbury prison. Many people I speak to are not concerned at all, but express the need to remain silent in the face of extremist and aggressive objections.

That it would put Westbury Primary School at risk is ridiculous, as are many of the other fears that are being expressed. Research facts debunk all these fears, which are emotionally based. The world is changing rapidly and we can't stop time, whether we like it or not. People need to understand and rationalise their fears. "Not in my backyard" is so typical of a small town like Westbury but the implication is that "your backyard is fine".

Geoff Mooney, Westbury

UNDERSEA power cables are expensive to construct, have a limited life, are vulnerable to damage, difficult to repair and may have costly dispute resolution.

In short, Tasmania should have nothing whatsoever to do with the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of another undersea power cable.

John Snooks, West Launceston

TEMPTED by the food delights of the North-West Coast of Tasmania, including Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm, Ashgrove Cheese, Cherry Shed and Anvers Chocolate while travelling to the Tasmanian Christmas Carnival series of cycling, athletics and wood chopping, arriving at Latrobe and Devonport respectively, only to experience the delightful curry and rice at the Devonport Football Club, a New Years' resolution to reduce weight after my journey of self-indulgence may be one to ponder after January 1, 2020?

Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.

NOW THAT the reality of life in a changing climate is beginning to hit hard will the coals scales finally fall from Scott Morrison's eyes? Can we finally expect a real leader to emerge from all the smoke, ash and bushfire devastation?

One who is finally prepared to recognised this bushfire season is anything but normal. Serious plans and strategies must now be implemented to prepare for the inevitable fires that will occur next year and the ones after that. The economic health, social and environmental costs from this current fires season will be staggering and the impacts will be felt by everyone.

A downturn in tourism has already been reported but with livestock and crop losses, and vineyards and orchards destroyed, food shortages, and price increases, will almost certainly result.

Music festival events are also already being affected by extreme temperatures and bushfire risk, with some already having to be cancelled. With little relief from higher than average summer temperatures forecast then iconic sports events, such as cricket matches and tennis tournaments, could also result in cancellations, since the health of players should not be placed at risk, and neither should that of the spectators sweltering in the stands.

Climate change has arrived with a vengeance and it's time the Morrison Government accepted the reality of it and took steps to prepare the country.

This must include no more support for coal and gas mining and much more investment in renewable energy options.

Anne Layton-Bennett, Swan Bay

IT IS the height of idiocy to expect or ask the Prime Minister to personally fight every large bushfire that breaks out on this ultra-dry continent. For a number of reasons, including the self-evident fact that he has responsibility for actually governing the nation and attending to the myriad of important challenges facing it 24-7.

Calls for him to physically join firefighters are politically driven. He would do more harm than good on the front line. The lumbering Scott Morrison would be a pure distraction and a nuisance. He has simply not been trained for the function.

Oddly enough, his political detractors may have inadvertently provided Scomo with a useful photo opportunity with their ludicrous call. One, I hope, that he will not be tempted to take up for personal or party-political gain.

Michael Gamble, Belmont, Victoria