Opinion

Ruth’s opinion pieces and editorials on political, economic, and social issues facing Tasmania.

Beware election gifts we’ll be paying back in a few years
Beware election gifts we’ll be paying back in a few years

If legendary poet Virgil was writing today, he wouldn’t be warning us to beware of Greeks bearing gifts. Instead he’d be telling us to be wary of politicians showering us…

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Tasmanian health services are on the critical list
Tasmanian health services are on the critical list

CRITICAL CONDITION: Independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest says in light of the critical challenges facing Tasmania’s health system “it is time to take a step back, think and plan strategically…

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A deep breath and a second look at pokies
A deep breath and a second look at pokies

ELECTIONS are a great way of deciding who we want to sit on the Treasury benches but they’re a flawed means of deciding particular policies, especially vexed questions like pokie…

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Talking Point: Making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear
Talking Point: Making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear

THE Treasurer’s Revised Estimates Report issued in late January has removed any doubts as to the financial position of the state. In two years the Government will need external borrowings.…

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Political donations – the need for change
Political donations – the need for change

Major parties claim to be open and transparent and that donations received don’t impact on decisions they make.  Tasmanians want to know who has the ear of Government and be…

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HOSPITAL television rates will be on the table when parliament returns in March. 
HOSPITAL television rates will be on the table when parliament returns in March. 

Murchison Independent MLC Ruth Forrest will raise questions about contracts which require patients to pay upwards of $8 per day to watch television in Tasmanian hospitals.  Ms Forrest said the…

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Politics of fear and prejudice
Politics of fear and prejudice

THE politics of fear and prejudice are being used around the country and world. In more recent times, this approach is being rejected. People claim they can’t trust politicians, stating…

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Access to safe, timely health care a fair ask
Access to safe, timely health care a fair ask

ACCESS to timely, safe, high quality health care is a reasonable expectation for all Tasmanians. Currently residents in the North-West and West Coast regions, and other regional areas, are right…

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Women earn on average $253 a week less than men
Women earn on average $253 a week less than men

Women earn on average $253 a week less than men, which negatively impacts their financial and social well-being, says a Tasmanian MP. Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest successfully moved a motion…

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Government businesses should report earlier to improve understanding
Government businesses should report earlier to improve understanding

If you own publicly listed shares, you will know in the next week or two how your company performed for the year ended June 30, 2018. Most financial statements are…

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One big, ugly missed opportunity
One big, ugly missed opportunity

Ruth Forrest says long-awaited new rules for the carve-up of tax revenue will fail THE possible benefits that may flow to Tasmania from the new rules for dividing GST revenue…

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Public housing should not bear brunt of government debt
Public housing should not bear brunt of government debt

Housing Tasmania is forced to pay off millions to Federal Government, writes Ruth Forrest ONE of the essentials of life is shelter. If a person or a family does not…

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