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 warning – it’s a damning indictment of budgetary smoke and mirrors, political spin, and the kind of financial sleight of hand that would make a […]
Following the release of Treasury’s Pre Election Financial Outlook yesterday it is vital all Tasmanians understand the scale of the budget problem we have and what needs to be done. The starting point for Treasury’s Pre Election Financial Outlook (PEFO) report was the latest set of Budget figures. In this case it was the 24/25 Revised […]
Read More… from Election Update number 9: Pre Election Financial Outlook (PEFO)
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 and front and center of the election campaign. The Macquarie Point stadium debate is fast becoming Tasmania’s political Bermuda Triangle—swallowing scrutiny, sinking fiscal transparency, and […]
Read More… from Serious matters that must be discussed during this election
The rule of law and the strength of our institutions is what is supposed to help make us a civilised society. Developing a set of guardrails for responsible budgeting was perceived to be a missing link which was addressed by the Charter of Budget Responsibility Bill 2007. The then Premier, in his second reading speech […]
Read More… from Election Update number 8: Budget responsibility revisited
The Board of Marinus Link (MLPL) has recommended proceeding with the Marinus project and each of the three shareholders now need to make a decision before jointly convening to decide. The decision to proceed wasn’t unexpected. It would have been surprising if they had voted themselves out of a job. The Tasmanian government owns a […]
Read More… from Election update number 7: Marinus and caretaker government
Now that the major parties are on a unity ticket for the development of the Mac Point stadium there’s no incentive for them to raise peripheral issues, and anyone outside the tent who does so is jumped on by the majors as negative and misguided in what’s best for Tasmania. It is now recognised that […]
Read More… from Election update number 6: Stadium peripheral matters
So far the election campaign has seen a few high vizzes making fewer mostly forgettable promises, but as yet no attempt to tackle the big issues. One of the crucial issues going forward is raising more of our own source revenue. Distributions from government businesses is an important component. Income from government businesses suffered a […]
Read More… from Election Update Number 5: Electricity in a changing world
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, however, risks undermining that trust not because of what’s in the budget, but because of how key decisions are being presented or, more accurately, concealed. […]
Read More… from Obscured spending decisions undermine public trust in the budget figures
As crazy as it may sound the proposed Marinus project has some unfortunate similarities with the stadium project. The AFL decided the AFL Devils needed a roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in order to field a successful team. The Premier agreed and signed on the dotted line without consulting anyone and before any plans were […]
Read More… from Election update Number 4: Marinus Final Investment Decision (FID)
So far the election campaign has offered a few placards, platitudes and hi-vis appearances but little apparent understanding of the issues facing us. Hopefully PEFO will contribute to the discussion. When reading government Budget papers (BPs) it is important to remember that they have not been audited by the Auditor General. Unlike BPs in Victoria […]
Read More… from Election Update Number 3 : The PEFO (Pre Election Financial Outlook) Report
In this update I will revisit some important aspects of the Charter of Budget Responsibility Act 2007 https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/2025-06-14/act-2007-035 . It’s a pretty simple Act. Whilst it contains some fairly broad motherhood statements (what is sound fiscal management for instance) its intent is quite clear: to provide a framework to explain the fiscal challenges and proposed […]
There is a critical need for the general public to have a good understanding of where the State is at financially and what is required by both major parties during an election – even a very early one such as this. I intend to write some short, focussed pieces around these topics and update regularly […]
Read More… from Election Updates -UPDATE Number 1 – Charter of Budget Responsibility Act 2007
