Opinion
Ruth’s opinion pieces and editorials on political, economic, and social issues facing Tasmania.
Who benefits and who pays for Tassie’s major energy projects?
One thing I learned from our recent Legislative Council hearings into Hydro Tasmania and Tas Networks was the cavernous disconnect between what may be possible and what may be profitable.…
Read more
Blown in the wind; Hydro’s turbine profits
MOST of us want to leave this world in a better state than it is. All the talk of renewable energy, hydrogen and the proposed Marinus Link suggest there’s hope,…
Read more
House at crossroads after pokies failure
It’s a terrible cliché but Tasmania is really at the crossroads. The last few months of life in the corridors of powers has been a deeply unsettling experience. The carefully…
Read more
University no longer elite, exclusive pursuit
UNIVERSITY can be a daunting place. Historically universities were large formidable buildings full of academics and students with no doubt about their pathway in life through the gaining of a…
Read more
Taking temperature on state’s open border plan
The 2021-22 health budget includes many initiatives seeking to address the long-standing pressures and failures in our acute health services. These pressures existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic which has…
Read more
We cannot waste time to address the family violence pandemic
Family violence is a shadow pandemic plaguing society and we must take urgent action the issue, WE HAVE much to do to address the very real challenge of gender-based violence…
Read more
It’s critical that we understand how government grants work
Stoking the fires of parochialism is easy. Anthony Haneveer’s commentary on May 29 (“We love you Hobart, but get over yourselves”) could be seen to perpetuate parochialism. In response to…
Read more
Bittersweet loss of leatherwood
We can make honey forever from leatherwood forest, but we’re losing it fast NORTH-WEST and Western Tasmania contain many unique tree species. Huon, King Billy and Celery top pines are…
Read more
May 1 poll takes the axe to Upper House independence
WHILE an early election was not unexpected, few expected such an indecent and a disingenuous rush to the ballot box. The signs had been there for weeks, a government clearing…
Read more
Opportunistic or just an indecent rush to election
My opinion piece, provided in full can been read here: The signs have been there for some weeks. A government clearing the decks with promised, significant legislation related to key…
Read more
Understanding our small communities critical for good outcomes
Made up of many small communities, our beautiful North-West Coast provides economic benefit to our state well above many of the more populous areas. Every community is unique and special,…
Read more
Tassie can bank on the finance lessons taught by COVID-19
COVID-19 caused enormous suffering and hardship, socially, economically and personally. Some were directly impacted more than others but no one remains untouched. We learned new ways of doing things and…
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
- 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