Who is making sure it all adds up? For decades, Tasmania’s government businesses were regarded as assets of the State. They provided essential services, funded their operations and returned dividends to help pay for health, education, public safety and other essential services. Increasingly, we must ask whether that model is being reversed. Instead of supporting […]
For a small state, Tasmania spends a remarkable amount of energy telling itself what it is about to become: a renewable energy superpower and battery of the nation, a premium food and wine destination, a booming visitor economy, and now, increasingly, a natural home for data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Every one of these […]
Legislative Council, Wednesday 3 December 2025 The video recording of this speech can be viewed on the Parliamentary website at the link below (click on the Broadcast tab, and start at the 1:02 mark) If you are viewing this on a mobile device, you will need to click on the three dots on the right […]
Read More… from State Policies and Projects (Macquarie Point Precinct) Order 2025
Media Release – 4 November 2025 Member for Murchison, Hon Ruth Forrest MLC expressed her disappointment by rejection of accountability reforms despite widespread concern over State’s finances A Bill to establish enhanced parliamentary oversight of Tasmania’s deteriorating budget position has failed to secure support, despite members publicly expressing deep concern about the State’s unprecedented debt […]
You can listen to my interview where I discuss the proposed sale of land at Wilkinsons Point, on ABC Drive here: […]
You can listen to my latest interview with Leon Compton here: […]
The parable of the boy who cried wolf carries a lesson for Tasmania. Warnings raised too often lose their impact, especially when a state has unresolved challenges of its own. But the Productivity Commission’s interim report is not a false alarm; it is a clear, evidence-based signal that the GST system has drifted off course […]
You can listen to my interview with Leon Compton, where I talk about my position on the Short Stay Accommodation Levy, here: […]
You can listen to my latest interview on ABC Mornings here: […]
Legislative Council, Thursday 3 September 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for ENERGY and RENEWABLES, Mr DUIGAN I note the media overnight and the Ministerial Statement talking about a tragic fire at the Tungatinah Power station, with Tungatinah Power Station being a significant power station in our system and note that Poatina and others are […]
Read More… from Question Without Notice – Tungatinah Power Station Fire
Legislative Council, Thursday 3 September 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT, Mr VINCENT [2.50 p.m.] Minister, I asked you a couple of questions yesterday – I think it was yesterday – regarding TT‑Line’s decision to remove the fuel levy on passengers and vehicles. I apologise; I haven’t sent anything further in writing as I had a […]
Read More… from Question Without Notice – TT-Line fuel levy implications
Legislative Council, Wednesday 2 September 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, when I first heard the policy announcement from the government in the 2024 election, I welcomed the initiative in terms of we’ve got a real budgetary problem here, we need to raise revenue and thank God they’re actually looking at a new tax. […]
Legislative Council, Wednesday 2 September 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT, Mr VINCENT Thank you, Mr President. My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure regarding the decision of TT‑Line to remove the fuel levy on passengers and vehicles. Minister, are you aware of how this decision was reached? Is it part of […]
Read More… from Question Without Notice – TT-Line – Decision to Remove Fuel Levy
Legislative Council, Wednesday 2 September 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, I note the Leader’s contribution to this condolence motion, and I rise to support this motion, and do so with a heavy heart. What happened in the border region between Nepal and Tibet is almost impossible to comprehend from the safety and distance of this Chamber. […]
Read More… from CONDOLENCE MOTION – The People of Nepal and Nepalese Tasmanians
Legislative Council, Tuesday 1 September 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE and TRANSPORT, Mr VINCENT The Public Accounts Committee Interim Report found the Spirit of Tasmania failure stemmed from a breakdown in governance and coordination between government-owned entities. Minister, a similar risk now sits over the Bass Strait Islands. TasPorts owns the ports of Grassy […]
Read More… from Question Without Notice – Bass Strait Islands Transport Strategy
