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 […]
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 […]
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?
Legislative Council, Thursday 26 March 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, this bill has been a vexed issue for some time, an issue the government has certainly not covered itself in glory with, through its handling of this issue at large. The cynic in me sees this as a level of political game-playing and […]
Read More… from UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA (PROTECTION OF LAND) BILL 2025
Legislative Council, Wednesday 25 March 2026 Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY QUESTION 1: In 2022, the then Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing, Minister Barnett, announced changes were being made to the EOI process to address concerns about land banking and to set milestones for […]
Tasmania’s Fiscal Crisis Demands More Than Politics as Usual On 27 February 2026, Treasury released a document that should have concerned every Tasmanian. The Fiscal Sustainability Report, prepared by Treasury itself, delivered a finding that demands urgent attention: Tasmania’s public finances are projected to rapidly deteriorate, and without immediate action, the problem will move beyond […]
Read More… from We can’t wait any longer to fight our debt problem
Legislative Council, Tuesday 24 March 2026 Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY Recognising that Neighbourhood Houses are increasingly stretched, relied upon as essential community infrastructure, and facing growing safety pressures, and noting the Minister’s commitment in November to undertake a Needs Analysis across the network; ANSWER: A […]
Legislative Council, Tuesday 24 March 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, I move – The motion raises key matters related to the neurodegenerative condition of Parkinson’s and the challenges we have in this state. In moving this motion, I speak with both conviction and genuine concern for the thousands of Tasmanians living with Parkinson’s […]
Today I spoke in Parliament about Tasmanian science and natural history filmmaker, Kirsten Slemint. You can watch my speech here: […]
Read More… from SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS – Filmmaker Kirsten Slemint
Legislative Council, Thursday 19 March 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, I welcome the opportunity to respond to the Premier’s Address, and I do so with a measure of genuine goodwill towards the aspirations he has expressed for our island home. Tasmania is indeed a remarkable place. The people of Murchison, my electorate, and […]
Legislative Council, Thursday 19 March Ms THOMaS on behalf of Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY With regard to the heritage-listed Halls Hut on Halls Island in Lake Malbena, which is currently owned by Mr Daniel Hackett and is on a small parcel of land (the footprint […]
Legislative Council, Thursday 19 March 2026 Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY With regard to the state budgets and forward estimates over the last 10 years: Answer: […]
Legislative Council, Thursday 19 March 2026 Ms THOMAS on behalf of Ms FORREST question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVECOUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY With regard to Wild Drake’s commercial lease for Lake Malbena including most of Halls Island, Minister Duigan committed to a ‘lease review’ prior to renewing Wild Drake’s lease over Halls Island […]
Legislative Council, Tuesday 17 March 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for EDUCATION, Ms PALMER Acknowledging that the number of parents choosing to educate their children at home has been increasing in recent years, particularly after COVID-19, and that the Office of the Education Registrar asks parents to plan a program that addresses 10 Standards […]
Intergenerational Inequity Isn’t a Mystery – It’s a Design Feature Every few months, another report laments the widening gulf between young and old. Commentators wring their hands about falling home ownership, rising student debt, stagnant wages, and the bleak financial prospects facing younger Australians. Politicians speak gravely about intergenerational fairness. But the sympathy is often […]
