Ruth Forrest - Independent Member for Murchison

I was first elected as a Legislative Councillor for the division of Murchison in 2005. Since then I worked to represent the people of this beautiful and diverse area. I have met thousands of wonderful people from all over the North-West, West Coast, Circular Head and King Island and assisted many people with a wide variety of issues, problems and queries.

Since being elected in May 2005, I have taken up many matters, issues and causes on behalf of this great electorate, and have raised many issues in Parliament on behalf of you, the people I represent. Of course I am always willing to listen to you and do what I can to assist. Unfortunately in some matters I am not always able to achieve a successful outcome however I will always do what I can for you and inform you about the issues you raise and where I cannot help, I will do my best to direct you to the most appropriate person to deal with your inquiry. As the electorate of Murchison is one of the furthest from our capital city Hobart, and where the majority of the Government and Parliament is based, I believe it is my duty to continue to raise issues relevant to this wonderful part of the State at any opportunity. I know that some say I do ‘go on a bit’, but I believe I do this to ensure, as best as I can, that this part of the State is not overlooked.

I have also contributed significantly in Parliament through the scrutiny of legislation before the Legislative Council, including successfully amending legislation on many occasions. I have also undertaken significant committee work and chaired a number of Select and Standing Committees. In late 2009, I successfully moved to establish two Government Administration Scrutiny Committees to enable more timely and thorough scrutiny of Government Administration, Government Businesses, State-owned companies and other entities established under Water and Sewerage Corporations Act 2008. I Chair Government Administration Committee A and also sit on two Sessional Committees, Estimates Committee A and Government Business Scrutiny Committee A. The Estimates Committee sits once a year each year for one week to scrutinise the State budget following its tabling in Parliament. The Government Business Scrutiny Committee sits once a year in December and scrutinises three to four Government Businesses or State Owned Companies for one day.

You can contact me at my office in Goldie St, Wynyard, by calling 6443 8600, by post to PO Box 104, Wynyard 7325 or find me on Facebook or Linkedin.