Latest Updates from Ruth

Ruth Forrest was born in Burnie and raised in Riana. A lifelong North West Coaster, she worked as a nurse and midwife before entering the Tasmanian Legislative Council in 2005. She lives in Wynyard and represents the electorate of Murchison, which includes the communities of Circular Head, Waratah-Wynyard, the West Coast, King Island and much of Burnie.

QWN – Home Education Child Safety
QWN – Home Education Child Safety

Legislative Council, Tuesday 17 March 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for EDUCATION, Ms PALMER Acknowledging that the number of parents choosing to educate their children at home has been…

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House rules, and how game is rigged
House rules, and how game is rigged

Intergenerational Inequity Isn’t a Mystery – It’s a Design Feature Every few months, another report laments the widening gulf between young and old. Commentators wring their hands about falling home…

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SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS

Today I spoke in Parliament about some of the wonderful achievements of Hellyer College students in 2025. You can watch my speech here: [...]Read More... from SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS

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QUESTION ON NOTICE – TasPorts Operations
QUESTION ON NOTICE – TasPorts Operations

Ms FORREST question to DEPUTY LEADER for the GOVERNMENT, Mr VINCENT Legislative Council, Tuesday 17 March 2026 QUESTION: With regard to TasPorts operations: (1)     (a)     How many marine pilotage services…

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QUESTION ON NOTICE – Homes Tasmania and Housing Connect
QUESTION ON NOTICE – Homes Tasmania and Housing Connect

Legislative Council, Tuesday 17 March 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for HOUSING and PLANNING, Mr VINCENT With regard to the operations of Homes Tasmania and the Housing Connect System…

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Mental health in political life vital to democracy
Mental health in political life vital to democracy

The wellbeing of our elected representatives should not be hidden, if they are struggling then decision-making suffers. Politics is demanding work. Not just intellectually, but emotionally, psychologically, and personally. The…

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ABC Mornings – 3 March 2026
ABC Mornings – 3 March 2026

You can listen to my latest interview with Leon, where we discuss the upcoming budget, here: [...]Read More... from ABC Mornings – 3 March 2026

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Hydro’s challenges are part of a system-wide pattern affecting every other major public entity in the state
Hydro’s challenges are part of a system-wide pattern affecting every other major public entity in the state

Hydro is operating in a changing environment with new challenges. When Hydro Tasmania’s chief executive recently offered to meet and discuss the issues raised in my two recent Talking Point…

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Why our Budget needs to confront reality, not continue to pretend we’re living in fantasy land
Why our Budget needs to confront reality, not continue to pretend we’re living in fantasy land

Fiscal Fiction and Waiting for a Miracle For years Tasmania has been governed by a budget process that seems designed not to confront reality but to defer it. The latest…

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