Too few Tassie MPs understand policy and finance — hence our budget The tide seems to be going out much faster than anyone expected. When that happens, skinny dippers will greet an earlier day of reckoning. That is the position facing the Tasmanian Government. It is ill prepared for what is about to happen. The […]
Read More… from Just give us the plain truth so we can fix Tasmania’s problems
If you’re struggling to understand what’s happening in the world, you’re not alone. It’s increasingly difficult to align what the government is saying with what we see in our community. One minute they tell us about the record amounts being spent on health. Next minute, we find the health budget is less than what was […]
Legislative Council Thursday 15 August 2019 Ms FORREST – Mr President, I thank the Government and commend it for taking this action and being so proactive in it. The Leader’s second reading speech said many of the things I wish to repeat. It is important to have a number of things on the record. All […]
Read More… from CRIMINAL CODE AND RELATED LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (CHILD ABUSE) BILL 2018
Legislative Council Wednesday 14 August, 2019 Ms FORREST – Mr President, in speaking about this bill, I will not go over the territory other members have covered so much, but I note the Leader and member for Montgomery’s contribution when she mentioned what Dr Broad had said in the other place about Tasmania having some […]
Legislative Council Wednesday 14 August, 2019 Ms FORREST (Murchison ) – Mr President, I raise a complaint about the way some constituents of mine have been dealt with by the Department of State Growth. I do not do this normally but this has been going on for months. I am seriously concerned about the mental […]
Legislative Council Tuesday 13 August 2019 Ms FORREST – Mr Acting President, I move – That, in order to minimise the harms associated with drug use at Tasmanian festivals and events, this House – (1) Acknowledges that pill testing is a health-related matter; (2) Acknowledges that pill testing is an evidence-based health service […]
Read More… from Pill Testing – Tasmanian Festivals and Events
Ruth Forrest proceeds with the motion seeking support to investigate the issue of pill testing at music festivals […]
Read More… from Motion – Pill testing as a harm minimisation measure
A motion calling on the Tasmanian government to explore how a pill testing trial could occur during the upcoming summer festival season has failed to gain the support of the upper house. Murchison Independent MLC Ruth Forrest introduced the motion which, in an effort to minimise harm related to drug use at Tasmanian festivals and […]
Although the motion regarding pill testing was defeated in the Legislative Council, it is important to get the facts about what pill testing is and what it isn’t on the record. […]
There is no safe way to take “party drugs” or any other illicit drugs. Pill testing services in no way condone, support or approve of the use of “party drugs” or any other illicit drugs and is only one aspect of a comprehensive drug policy. Education will always be a critical component of any health […]
Read More… from Pill testing – harm minimisation saves lives
Legislative Council Thursday 8 August 2019 Ms FORREST (Murchison ) – Mr President, I support the bill but want to comment on its provisions and the nature of the step-down provision. I absolutely accept and acknowledge policing is unique. Police sign an oath that requires them to act. It has been said many times they […]
Read More… from WORKERS REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION AMENDMENT BILL 2019
TASMANIA’S peak body for drug and alcohol services is urging MLCs to support a motion on pill testing in the Legislative Council this week. Independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest is due to bring on a motion today calling on the State Government to consider a pill testing trial in Tasmania. Ms Forrest’s motion says pill […]
