Opinion
Ruth’s opinion pieces and editorials on political, economic, and social issues facing Tasmania.
Hydro, government must be more open with Tasmanians
Energy security, prices and the environmental impact of production all matter to Tasmanians. Much of the wheeling and dealing occurs behind closed doors. The information that enters the public arena…
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State parliament is failing the general public and making the filthy rich even wealthier
AS Dickens may have said, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, it…
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Court accessibility a must
INDEPENDENT Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest believes the old UTAS Cradle Coast building would fit the needs of a new Burnie court complex. Ms Forrest said the current complex needed replacing…
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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.…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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?
- Chapter 2 – Electricity and the NEM – The Basics Tasmania Was Never Told
- 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