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The state is facing a huge fiscal problem and it seems that neither of the major parties is prepared to address it, writes Ruth Forrest
One of the classic strategies from Donald Trump's playbook is to accuse your opponent of having the same vulnerabilities as you have. It helps neutralise the issue.
Treasurer Michael Ferguson has accused Labor of believing in "a magic money tree". Not without reason I might add. But the current government is equally vulnerable on that score. We have no idea how the government plans to overcome the fiscal problems it has helped create.
If you’re having trouble understanding the electricity policies of parties as they vie for your vote, you’re not alone. Being Chair of three inquiries looking at various aspect of the electricity industry, from the termination of the Basslink agreements to electricity pricing and broader energy related matters including the Marinus deal, all placed on the backburner when the election was called, has given me some appreciation of the challenges ahead.
But the proposed solutions have left me bemused and bewildered. With no shortage of false facts and dubious claims, trying to understand how we Tasmanians will be better off is difficult.
On the day the House of Assembly was dissolved to precipitate the March 23rd election, over a year ahead of the next election date committed to by the Premier, the Government released a Revised Estimates Report (RER) updating the 2023/24 Budget.
That the Premier has chosen to ask the people of Tasmania over a year earlier than planned, for a vote of confidence in his government, when all indicators in the RER confirm a dire situation for the State, suggests worse is to come.
The assessment of state government debt makes for some uncomfortable reading, writes Ruth Forrest
School is out and the 'kids' our House of Assembly representatives - have been sent home earlier than expected. The classroom was becoming too unruly. No work was getting done.
The end of term report issued on the last day of school reveals the kids were failing to meet required standards and were in danger of joining the growing cohort of children not reaching expected milestones.
The Revised Estimates Report (RER) for 2023-24 was issued the day the House of Assembly was dismissed as a prelude to the March 23 election.
Where there’s smoke there’s fire. All it will take is another wind shift and an early State election will be upon us. Retired warriors have been recruited to rejoin the battle so there’ll be plenty of politics, finger pointing and photoshopped views of opponents’ past achievements or lack thereof.
But what of actual policies?
The start of a new school year is eagerly anticipated by many, but not all. Children learn in different ways therefore our educational systems must be adaptable and flexible. Access to, and engagement with education has the power to be life-changing and all students need to feel safe, supported and welcome in their learning environment. It can be a path out of poverty, breaking cycles of intergenerational disadvantage and unemployment. Education empowers children and young people to make informed decisions and shape the future.