Opinion
Ruth’s opinion pieces and editorials on political, economic, and social issues facing Tasmania.
Election Update No 17: Hydro Tasmania and Marinus
One of the important components of own source revenue, after state taxes, are returns from government businesses. These contribute between 3 and 5 per cent of total revenue, a relatively…
Read more
Election Update No 16: Marinus Decision Time: Tasmania Can’t Afford to Get It Wrong
As Tasmanians head to the polls and many voting early, we do so with strikingly little clarity about the future of our energy system. And nowhere is that more alarming…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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,…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read moreConnect
- https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089942561556
- https://twitter.com/RuthForrestMLC
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-forrest-151b4915/
- https://www.youtube.com/@ruthforrestmlc9491
Newest Posts
- State Policies and Projects (Macquarie Point Precinct) Order 2025
- Parliament Misses Opportunity to Strengthen Budget Oversight as Fiscal Crisis Deepens
- Why I decided to accept the position of Treasurer if Tasmania has a Labor Minority government
- If you want to get to SurplusTown, would you start from here?
- Hydro Tasmania: What the Numbers Show – A multi‑chapter analysis of operating performance, liquidity, structural risks, and public myths.
- IF THE PREMIER BELIEVES MARINUS WILL DELIVER $470M A YEAR, HE SHOULD PUBLISH MODELLING AND SHOW THE FLOWS
- Hydro Tasmania: From Opportunistic Trader to Defensive Survivor
- ADJOURNMENT SPEECH – Christmas Greetings
- SENTENCING AMENDMENT (AGGRAVATING FACTORS) BILL 2025
- ABC Mornings with Leon Compton – 12 December 2025