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2024-25 Budget Reply Speech
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.
Legislative Council, Thursday 31 October 2024
Mr PRESIDENT - Just to clarify, because of the motion, the member for Murchison is still on her feet as second reading contributor, so the member for Murchison gets the call and then all other members from then on, in which to make a second reading contribution.
Ms FORREST - Mr President, my contribution will be brief as I have said most of the things that need to be said as part of this entire debate; once, in relation to potential referral to the committee and again in my previous comments in this debate.
Failures of governance are almost always intertwined with poor culture and both tend to have deep roots.
Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff is, and has been often referred to as, 'a good bloke' and at a personal level he is. However, this state needs more than a 'good bloke' leading our state and governing for all Tasmanians.
Legislative Council, Tuesday 29 October 2024
Ms FORREST (Murchison) - I move -
That the Legislative Council:
(1) Notes the Research brief by Dr Carmel Hobbs, published in November 2022 titled Young, in love and in danger - Teen domestic violence and abuse in Tasmania;
(2) Notes the seven recommendations in the research brief; and
(3) Calls on the government to provide a formal response to each of the recommendations that includes actions the government will take in response to each recommendation.