Feb 3, 2020
Hot Topic: Poker Machines
PETER Gutwein claims to be reducing the number of poker machines. In reality, his proposed cap allows 50 more machines than we have now. Pokies numbers should only go in one direction – down! Numbers have reduced through changes to venues and there is no reason to reallocate those 50 machines to other locations where they will do more damage. Most at risk would be the city of Launceston and small towns, where there are venues with less than their allowed machine limit. Launceston has the second highest pokies losses. If machines are reallocated it could push them ahead of Glenorchy as ground zero for pokies harm. Hardly an achievement the Premier’s own city would aspire. The Gutwein Government must prove it values lives over industry profits and commit to no increase on the number of pokies.
April 19, 2019
Shelve sale plan
A CENTRAL Hobart Precinct Plan will be a good foundation for a Hobart that reflects values and aspirations of the community. It will link conversations about preservation of our heritage, tackling traffic, successful UTAS relocation and delivering more affordable housing. Given the State Government’s support for this plan, Peter Gutwein should immediately shelve his intention to sell off the Treasury Building while the Plan is being developed.
April 10, 2019
UTAS move to Hobart an opportunity
What an exciting decision from UTAS to move the main campus from Sandy Bay to Hobart. Hobart is a city on the move and this is exactly the type of bold, future-focused commitment we need.
Change can be challenging, but this is an opportunity to revitalise and improve our city and re-imagine a future for Sandy Bay.
In light of the UTAS decision, I look forward to a renewed and purposeful focus on issues of affordable housing, congestion and public transport. Not to mention a plan to capitalise on the economic benefits this move will bring, including job creation, foot traffic to local businesses and rates revenue to the City of Hobart.
Moving forward the University has signalled careful and detailed planning. It will be essential that we draw upon all voices in the community to ensure the benefits from this move will flow to all of Hobart.
Let’s also embrace this as an opportunity for the community of Sandy Bay. The future use and development of the Sandy Bay campus site should be informed by the aspirations and values of that community.
March 27, 2019
Taxing pokies
GIVEN the poker machine industry has written the Hodgman Government’s new pokies licensing arrangement, it’s hard to imagine a more ironic headline (“Gutwein takes on Federal”, Mercury, March 21). Perhaps this public squabble over an extra year of their exclusive gravy train is simply to set the scene for the State Government to capitulate to Federal Group’s demand for cut-rate taxes on their casino pokies. Tax rates for poker machines have historically been consistent between hotels and casinos. There is no justification for setting lower casino pokie taxes. Tasmanians deserve transparency on deals to give away tax revenue to the tune of $19 million a year. This is tax revenue that could be spent on our schools, hospitals and fair wage rises for teachers, nurses and fireys.
March 16, 2019
Difficult home lives
EDUCATION is a human right for all children. Withdrawal of education is not an effective response to lateness. This appears to be a punishment delivered in frustration rather than good pedagogy. Perhaps a factor is under-resourcing the support needs of students. Many face difficult circumstances which affect the ability to engage with school. A high proportion of the most disadvantaged students have care responsibilities at home, for siblings, parents and grandparents. Students struggling to engage deserve support. Schools need more social workers, psychologists and teacher aides, which will also take pressure off teachers.
February 19, 2019
No use without housing
GREG Barns is right to highlight the value of specialised housing support for those exiting prison (Talking Point, February 18). The personal, community and financial benefit is considerable and makes its absence look like neglect on the part of government. Far from serving the best interests of the community or contributing to an effective law-and-order approach, lack of support causes harm and promotes recidivism. A case of false economy. There is a similar need for housing support for people entering the community from other institutional settings such as out-of-home care, long hospital stays or treatment programs. As Greg points out, it isn’t just about a roof over their heads, although many would be grateful to have that, but must include other support to reconnect with the community, manage daily routines and establish work or study options during transition.
Until we make a plan to solve the housing crisis and support vulnerable groups to access housing, we will be working against our efforts to improve outcomes in health, education, employment and justice.
January 5, 2019
Unity a delusion
REG Watson is nostalgic for a united country, growing up in the 1950s and 1960s with much more freedom (Talking Point, January 1). I suspect if we were to ask a woman, or an Aboriginal Tasmanian, or an LGBTIQ Tasmanian about levels of freedom from the 1950s to today, we might hear a different story. One with less unity. Not to mention less safety, less autonomy, less opportunity, and less justice. Reg laments we no longer seem able to agree on anything. In doing so, he mistakes the silenced voices of the past for an amicable accord that was a delusion.
Unity doesn’t come from the interests of some prevailing over those who are less visible, vocal or powerful. True unity is respectful recognition of all. It is a perpetual task of reflection and negotiation. Progress has been made towards true unity because people have striven for it. Overcoming their fear, people challenge the status quo. Through this we have made progress towards greater freedom across the diversity of our community. To some, emerging equality and freedom may feel like oppression. Think of it as the labour pains of a more inclusive, safer and more compassionate society.
