2024-25 Budget Reply Speech
LAND USE PLANNING AND APPROVALS (STONY RISE DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL) BILL 2024
Governance issues erode public trust
Just when you think things can’t get worse, they do. Treasurer Barnett released the 2024-25 Revised Estimates Report setting out the State government current position.
The release was accompanied by an assurance that “Tasmania’s net debt is manageable “. There is not a skerrick of evidence to suggest this is true. All three targets covering debt management are flashing red warning signs.
The Treasurer reiterated his determination to “maintain a steel like resolve to deliver a budget surplus by 2029-30”. Maybe he should apply some of the steel like resolve to understand what a surplus means. Spending needs to be less than receipts, not just spending on current operations, but total spending including capital outlays and paying past liabilities. Otherwise, debt keeps rising and becomes unmanageable. Ipso facto.
The news that a feasibility study has found the prospect of a second crossing over the Cam River to not be practical is disappointing to say the least, and appears to have missed the point.
You can read more of my comments regarding the study in The Advocate at the link below:
Few have taken any issue with the prognosis laid out by Saul Eslake in his landmark report into the State’s finances.
Even fewer have modified their policy positions to reflect the harsh reality of our predicament.
The major parties have tacitly agreed not to discuss the increasing amounts that will be spent servicing debts and paying past liabilities that will mean amounts devoted to current services, in real terms, will continue to decline, with no respite in sight.
Stony Rise development saga is emblematic of broader problems, writes Ruth Forrest
The saga surrounding the proposed Stony Rise shopping centre development at Devonport is emblematic of broader governance failures in Tasmania. This issue, while centred on a specific project, exposes a troubling pattern of political expediency, the erosion of public trust, and a disregard for robust planning processes.
The Land Use Planning and Approvals (Stony Rise Development Approval) Bill 2024 overrides established planning processes that have been approved by the parliament including the important role of the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which refused the initial permit.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 26 November 2024
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I thank the member for Elwick for bringing this bill to the House on behalf of the member for Franklin in the other place. I have for many years been an advocate for reform in this important area and fully support this amendment to bring us in line with and, in this case, ahead of other Australian jurisdictions. As the member for Elwick referred to, it is timely to be debating this bill during the UN 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. To quote the UN Women website:
Legislative Council, Tuesday 19 November 2024
Report of the Government Administration Committee A “Short Inquiry Process into the Operations of Tasmanian Ports Corporation Pty Ltd”: Consideration and noting
The broadcast of my speech on this report can be viewed on the Parliament of Tasmania Website under Legislative Council - Chamber Proceedings, or by clicking on the link below:
My speech begins at around the 43 minute mark, with some closing remarks after the lunch break, immediately following Question Time.
The transcript will be available on Hansard at a later date.