There comes a time when life changing decisions need to be made. Do I continue as I have, drawing attention as best as I am able, to the shortcomings of government policies from both sides of the political fence, or do I, if the chance arose, accept a role where I may have greater input […]
You can listen to my interview with ABC Drive on Monday 4 August 2025 here: […]
The Link reshuffles risks and ownership designed to make it look palatable without addressing its flaws: Sometimes the worst deals come dressed in the language of triumph. This may well be the case with Tasmania’s much-heralded “great deal” with the Federal Government over Project Marinus — a so-called nation-building initiative that’s increasingly looking like a […]
If you’re fossicking through the Marinus Whole of State Business Case (WoSBC) to find a collective tick of approval for the project , don’t bother. It’s not there. Everywhere there are warning signs, interspersed with a few assertions of benefits most of which are hidden by the censor’s black marker pen. Yet the Premier, his […]
Read More… from Post election update 3 – Marinus Whole of State Business Case – what have we learnt
You can listen to my interview with Leon Compton on ABC Mornings, Friday 1 August here: […]
You can listen to my interview on ABC Northern on Tuesday 29 July here. The commentary leading in to the interview has been provided for context. […]
Why do the Liberals keep insisting Dean Winter concede the election. Is that so the government may free itself of any obligation to consult with or inform the other 60 per cent of Tasmanians who didn’t give their first preference vote to the Liberals, whilst it continues with day-to-day decision making in the back rooms […]
This article in The Weekend Australian is timely and also informative. Sadly during the recent election it seemed the major parties didn’t want to talk about this huge project, Marinus and the North West Transmission Development, and the risks it poses to Tasmanians. I have written a number of pieces during the election period on […]
Read More… from Response to Article in Weekend Australian re Marinus
As I have been contemplating the election outcome and seeking a new and different way of governing Tasmania, I started writing this update which seemed more appropriate to do I the form of a letter to my Independent colleagues. I sent this ‘letter’ to them yesterday and also noted I would publish it as a […]
Read More… from Post Election Update No.1 – Letter to fellow Independent Members
A multibillion-dollar risk to a small state under financial strain has greater benefits for the mainland than Tasmania, writes Ruth Forrest As Tasmanians headed to the polls at the weekend, with many casting early votes, we did so without a clear picture of the single biggest infrastructure decision of our generation. Buried beneath the noise […]
As election day fast approaches we need an agreed non-partisan approach to restoring trust and addressing our challenges – where to now?
[…]
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 small amount but nevertheless vital. What will Marinus mean to Hydro Tasmania? […]
Read More… from Election Update No 17: Hydro Tasmania and Marinus
