There’s a sliver of hope—just a glimmer—that when the dust settles on this election, the battered survivors might finally face up to the fiscal mess Tasmania is in. But it’s a long shot. Because right now, neither major party seems to grasp the depth of the hole we’re in, let alone how to climb out […]
Read More… from If you want to get to SurplusTown, would you start from here?
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 […]
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
As Tasmanians head to the polls and many voting early, we do so with strikingly little clarity about the future of our energy system. And nowhere is that more alarming than in the case of Marinus Link, a nation-shaping project with state-shaking consequences. As outlined in a June 2025 Tasmanian Community Update: Marinus Board delivers Final […]
Read More… from Marinus Decision Time: Tasmania Can’t Afford to Get It Wrong
There’s a slither of hope, a small shaft on sunlight trying to shine on an otherwise bleak election battleground, that when the dusts settles, the survivors – I won’t call them victors at this stage – might help to build on what we’ve learned, to build a better future. It’s only a slither of hope […]
Read More… from Election Update No 15 – The pathway to surplus
The Premier released his long awaited Fiscal Strategy yesterday. If credit ratings agencies stumble on a copy we’re bound to be downgraded. It doesn’t comply with the Act. There are no targets for each of the next four years as required. Only a cut and paste of recycled motherhood statements and objectives plagiarised from Saul […]
Read More… from Election Update number 14: The Liberal Fiscal Strategy
When Kerry Packer told a Parliamentary Committee back in 1991 that he did everything possible to ensure he paid a little tax as possible “….because as a government, I can tell you, you’re not spending it that well that we should be donating extra….” it made it even harder for governments to gain acceptance from […]
Read More… from Election Update number 13: Revenue: the taboo topic
If I’d known where the election campaign was to lead I would have titled these posts: Dispatches from the War Zone. For that’s what it has become. If one thing has become glaringly obvious since the election campaign began, it’s how totally unprepared and ill-equipped all participants are for the momentous task ahead to get […]
Read More… from Election Update number 12: Labor’s fiscal strategy and beyond
It’s official. The government will have to cobble together a new fiscal strategy by Thursday 3rd July. There was a fiscal strategy included in the proposed 25/26 Budget but those documents have now been thrown out with the rubbish. When I was writing Update number 8, I checked the Treasury website to see if the […]
Read More… from Election update number 11: PEFO what it means for the election campaign
The purpose of this update is to put the recently released Pre-Election Outlook (PEFO) report into context. What is the purpose of PEFO and why did Treasury issue it in the form it did? It is important to remember the PEFO is prepared by Treasury, not the government or the Treasurer. The current PEFO might […]
Read More… from Election update number 10: Pre-Election Budget Warning
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
