There comes a time when life changing decisions need to be made. Do I continue as I have, drawing attention as best as I am able, to the shortcomings of government policies from both sides of the political fence, or do I, if the chance arose, accept a role where I may have greater input […]
A multibillion-dollar risk to a small state under financial strain has greater benefits for the mainland than Tasmania, writes Ruth Forrest As Tasmanians headed to the polls at the weekend, with many casting early votes, we did so without a clear picture of the single biggest infrastructure decision of our generation. Buried beneath the noise […]
There’s a sliver of hope—just a glimmer—that when the dust settles on this election, the battered survivors might finally face up to the fiscal mess Tasmania is in. But it’s a long shot. Because right now, neither major party seems to grasp the depth of the hole we’re in, let alone how to climb out […]
Read More… from If you want to get to SurplusTown, would you start from here?
Tasmania’s Treasury has just delivered what might be the most passive-aggressive pre-election financial report in State history. The Pre-Election Financial Outlook (PEFO) released in June 2025 is not only a warning – it’s a damning indictment of budgetary smoke and mirrors, political spin, and the kind of financial sleight of hand that would make a […]
You can listen to my interview with Leon Compton here: […]
Read More… from ABC Morning – Co-ordinator General’s stadium comments
This latest update provides detail on the history of Hydro electricity in Tasmania and what this history tells about the future with the inclusion of Marinus. […]
My speech on the Motion to disallow the Independent Tasmanian Industrial Commission’s determination on MP salaries and allowances and my Adjournment speech on the matter can be found here: […]
Legislative Council, Tuesday 23 September 2025 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT, Mr VINCENT What were the additional borrowings provided to TT Line specifically to fund? Further to that, are there any design features on the new vessel that need additional work, other than the final fit out, to make the vessels […]
Legislative Council, Wednesday 24 September 2025 Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVECOUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY Question: 1.1. Please provide a copy of the Treasury’s detailed internal budget timetable. 1.2. Will the Appropriation Bills (1 and 2) be accompanied by a full set of budget papers; 1.3. Will three Budget Paper volumes, […]
Legislative Council, Wednesday 24 September 2025 Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVECOUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY QUESTION:With regard to the new ambulance facilities on King island: […]
Legislative Council, Tuesday 23 September 2025 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for ENERGY and RENEWABLES, Mr DUIGAN I know that the flat rate electricity tariff charged on King Island is 32.61 cents per kilowatt hour compared with Tasmanian mainland peak electricity tariff 18.75 cents per kilowatt hour and off-peak electricity tariff being 4.03 cents per […]
23 September 2025 Independent Member for Murchison, Hon Ruth Forrest MLC, has today introduced the Budget Accountability and Oversight Committee Bill 2025, establishing a new Parliamentary Standing Committee to ensure greater scrutiny of Tasmania’s deteriorating finances. “Tasmania is carrying unprecedented levels of debt with no credible pathway back to surplus,” Ms Forrest said. “Every Treasury […]
Read More… from MEDIA RELEASE – Bill Introduced to Strengthen Budget Accountability
Legislative Council, Tuesday 23 September 2025 Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVECOUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY Question: 1. With regard to discussions between the Treasurer, Treasury and rating agencies: 1.1. Have each of the ratings agencies been informed of the plan for an interim budget; 1.1.1. If so, on what date was […]
Today in Special Interest Matters I spoke about the importance of regular breast screening check-ups for women and the vital service that the mobile breast screening bus service provides to women from rural and remote areas. You can watch my short speech about the service here: […]
Read More… from SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS – BreastScreen Tasmania
You can listen to my interview with Lucy Cutting here: […]
Read More… from ABC DRIVE – TPC Macquarie Point Stadium Assessment
This is my 5th comment on the Marinus Whole of State Business Case – Where to now? […]
Read More… from MARINUS Stage 1 WHOLE-OF-STATE BUSINESS CASE (WoSBC) – Number 5
