Opinion
Ruth’s opinion pieces and editorials on political, economic, and social issues facing Tasmania.
If you want to get to SurplusTown, would you start from here?
There’s a sliver of hope—just a glimmer—that when the dust settles on this election, the battered survivors might finally face up to the fiscal mess Tasmania is in. But it’s…
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Tasmania’s Pre-Election Budget Warning
Tasmania’s Treasury has just delivered what might be the most passive-aggressive pre-election financial report in State history. The Pre-Election Financial Outlook (PEFO) released in June 2025 is not only a…
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Serious matters that must be discussed during this election
This Opinion Piece is a summary of my Election Updates to date to fill a void in the mainstream media and public commentary on critical issues that should be considered…
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Obscured spending decisions undermine public trust in the budget figures
There is a critical need for budget honesty and transparency, writes Ruth Forrest In any democracy, clear, honest budgeting is the foundation of public trust. The Tasmanian government’s 2025-26 Budget,…
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Tasmanians Deserve the Truth
What we’ve witnessed in the Tasmanian Parliament this week is deeply disappointing — not only in tone and conduct, but in its complete failure to address the very real, urgent…
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Tasmania’s Budget of Delusion
With recent events and the budget delivered by the Liberal Government unlikely to be fully scrutinised there is a need to be aware of the reality of our fiscal position…
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Tasmania’s Budget Crisis: A Call for Urgent Action
The 2025-26 Tasmanian State Budget, which may never proceed following a successful no-confidence motion in the Premier is a stark reminder of the fiscal crisis we are facing. Despite years…
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An urgent need for truth
Admitting there’s a problem is the first stage in any recovery. The Premier hasn’t done that yet. He still says our debt is manageable. His State of the State speech…
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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…
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Sleepwalking to disaster
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…
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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…
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Does the state’s ‘good bloke’ Jeremy Rockliff have what it takes to repair failing governance standards
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…
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Newest Posts
- If you want to get to SurplusTown, would you start from here?
- Tasmania’s Pre-Election Budget Warning
- Serious matters that must be discussed during this election
- Election Update No 16: Marinus Decision Time: Tasmania Can’t Afford to Get It Wrong
- Election Update No 15: The pathway to surplus
- Election Update number 14: The Liberal Fiscal Strategy
- Election Update number 13: Revenue: the taboo topic
- Election Update number 12: Labor’s fiscal strategy and beyond