Special Interest Matters – Hellyer College Achievements

Legislative Council, Tuesday 12 March 2025 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, on 30 January this year I had the pleasure of attending the Hellyer College Evening of Excellence Awards, where scholarships and awards are presented to students who excelled in their studies in 2024. The awards are to assist those hard working local students […]

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Special Interest Matters – Celebrating Student Achievements at Hellyer College

Legislative Council, Tuesday 11 March 2025 I attended the Hellyer College Evening of Excellence earlier this year, to join in celebrating the outstanding achievements of the students and staff at the College. You can listen to my Special Interest speech about these achievements here:        A transcript of the speech is available here: https://ruthforrest.com.au/parliament/speeches/special-interest/1298-special-interest-matters-hellyer-college-achievement   […]

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Delusional and deceptive update on State’s financial position

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 […]

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Disappointing – Second Cam River Bridge crossing study

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: https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/8888543/leaders-hit-back-at-results-of-cam-river-bridge-crossing-study/?cs=87   […]

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LAND USE PLANNING AND APPROVALS AMENDMENT (DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT PANELS) BILL 2024

Legislative Council, Thursday 28 November 2024 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – While I have been listening to other members, I have cut my speech right back you are pleased to hear. This legislation has sparked significant debate across various sectors in Tasmania. There has been strong opposition voiced by community groups, individual local government, mayors and […]

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QON – Intimate Partner Violence – Services for Young People

Legislative Council, Thursday 28 November 2024 Ms FORREST question to the MINISTER for EDUCATION and MINISTER for WOMEN and the PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE, Ms PALMER (1) With regard to support for and services available to children and young people who are living in relationships where they experience intimate partner violence, and noting the Government’s […]

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LAND USE PLANNING AND APPROVALS (STONY RISE DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL) BILL 2024

Legislative Council, Wednesday 27 November 2024 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, this bill is one of three planning bills that are being rushed through the parliament in the last part of the year to fix problems that have been identified through a variety of processes. This takes me back to the years when the […]

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LAND USE PLANNING AND APPROVALS AMENDMENT (SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT) BILL 2024

Legislataive Council, Wednesday 27 November 2024  Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, I have not written anything formal here to present, so I will be referring to my notes. I find this bill an interesting approach. I do not dismiss at all the need for the opportunity for large developments that are complex or trigger […]

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Governance issues erode public trust

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 […]

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