MARION NICKLASON, Convenor, Tasmanians for a Healthy Democracy
Premier Anna Bligh needs to be commended for making courageous recommendations against the status quo in Queensland (Mercury, 5/8/09). Suggesting major reforms, such as a “ban on ministers and other MPs attending business dinners at which businesses pay to access them” is certainly making strong steps toward a healthy democracy. If some Tasmanian politicians wish to continue and indeed encourage business dinners, maybe they should use some of the big business funding to sponsor dinners for financially disadvantaged groups, enabling their representatives to “get in the ministers ear” as well. Tasmanians and other Australians deserve healthy democratic processes.