A vote for independents is not wasted
In a fair society, people come before profits
State parliament is failing the general public and making the filthy rich even wealthier
Inflation has become the new bogey man, paraded at every opportunity to scare the general public, writes Ruth Forrest.
With confusing and conflicting messages in challenging times, does anyone else get the feeling some economists make it up as they go?
For years we were bombarded with scare mongering about debt and deficits.
Now it's the scourge of inflation that's about to bring us undone.
The only way to tackle the curse, we are told, is to jack up interest rates.
Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest has accused all levels of government of a "lack of accountability", referring to a councillor's decision to remain in his role and the ongoing Commission of Inquiry.
Following a meeting between Waratah-Wynyard Council representatives and Local Government Minister Nic Street in relation to Darren Fairbrother's future, Ms Forrest weighed into the discussion.
"Community standards demand personal responsibility in the case of Cr Fairbrother - however we also need robust, rigourous and effective processes and legislative measures to require accountability, transparency and outcomes in line with community expectations," Ms Forrest said.
Will Tasmanian consumers end up subsidising new wind farms just so the latter can send their goods to market via the Marinus Link, asks Ruth Forrest
THE list of infrastructure projects that would enhance our standard of living and unlock the benefits that will make us a more productive, fairer and equitable society is limited only by our imagination.
Selecting which project, trying to assess costs and benefits, particularly the flow-on benefits from well-planned infrastructure, is the perennial challenge for public policy.
The crisis in the national electricity market has confirmed one thing: Despite the recently announced power price rises, we in Tasmania are better off than other eastern states.
We are now self-sufficient with renewable energy. Wind produces 20 per cent of our needs with hydro power comfortably providing the remainder. Basslink can also import electricity and Hydro has gas peaking units that can be used if needed.
You can listen to my speech explaining the establishment of a Joint Sessional Gender and Equality Committee here:
A transcript of the speech is also available by clicking on the link below.
https://ruthforrest.com.au/parliament/speeches/motion
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I move -
That a Joint Sessional Gender and Equality Committee be appointed with power to send for persons and papers, with leave to sit during any adjournment of either House and with leave to adjourn from place to place to inquire into and report upon -
(1)(a) Any bill referred to it by either House in order to examine gender and equality impacts; (b) Any matter related to gender and equality referred to it by either House; and (c) Any matter related to gender and equality, initiated by its own motion; and
(2) That notice of any own motion inquiry shall be reported to both Houses within two (2) sitting days of the Committee’s Resolution; and (26)
(3) That the number of Members to serve on the said Committee on the part of the Legislative Council be four.