Latest News

Published: 06 October 2016

Media Release  :  Thursday 6 October, 2016

I have taken legal advice in relation to an incident at an evening social event at Parliament House on 20th September 2016.  

The decision I have taken reflects my commitment to speak out against any act of intimidation, bullying and/or violence, particularly when women are the target. I support the view of the Australian of the Year, David Morrison, that the standard you walk past is the standard you accept. I believe all behaviour within the Parliament and outside the Parliament needs to reflect this standard. Robust debate is important and necessary and can be undertaken in a respectful manner without the need to resort to such behaviour.

Published: 27 September 2016

By Georgie Burgess and Rosemary Bolger ABC   27 Sept 2016

Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding will not face disciplinary action over an argument with an Upper House MP, after the Premier received advice from the Solicitor-General.

Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest told Parliament last week that Mr Hidding had "bullied" and "intimidated" her at a social function during an argument over government legislation.

Mr Hidding later apologised for his conduct, but Ms Forrest has been seeking legal advice.

Published: 27 September 2016

BLAIR RICHARDS, State Political Reporter, Mercury

September 23, 2016 

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/minister-rene-hidding-apologises-to-mlc-ruth-forrest-after-accusations-of-bullying-at-public-dinner/news-story/f11488cb78244fbabf234249ecf97429

A LONG-serving Tasmanian Upper House MP will today seek legal advice after she says she was bullied by a State Government minister at a function.

Infrastructure and Police Minister Rene Hidding resisted calls for his resignation yesterday after Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest said he “threatened, intimidated and bullied” her over a piece of legislation.

Published: 03 August 2016

Hobart Mercury August 2, 2016 

IT is often said that one’s health is everything.

Those with good health and wellbeing often take it for granted until they experience its loss. Education is a key to health and wellbeing.

If, as a society, we do not get education right, we will not see improvements in the overall health and wellbeing.

Published: 10 June 2016

Friday 10 June, 2016

Ruth is keen to share information that may assist constituents affected by the recent devastating floods.
Please see today's announcement for details:

Published: 10 June 2016

The Hobart Mercury, Blair Richards - June 6, 2016

TASMANIA’S Treasurer says there are no job cuts hidden in the Budget, despite the Government falling short of its original target of 1200 full time job cuts.

Published: 18 April 2016

The Hobart Mercury - January 9, 2016

I’m not a monarchist but I do like the Queen. Especially when she asks pertinent questions as she did in 2009 when visiting the London School of Economics. Referring to the Global Financial Crisis she asked her learned hosts: “Why did no one see it coming?”

Published: 01 June 2016

 The Hobart Mercury, March 16, 2016.

A  PARLIAMENTARY inquiry has recommended an overhaul of Tasmania’s preventative healthcare systems with the state lagging far behind the national average in several areas. A joint select committee report detailed a sorry summary of the state’s health and well being trends and subsequent need for reform including greater funding.

Published: 12 April 2016

March 19, 2016 12:00am - The Hobart Mercury -  Opinion

I used to work in the Safe Schools program that faces the axe. It was not called that then. It was Family Life Education. I was employed by the Catholic welfare organisation Centacare, to deliver a program to school students from Kinder to Years 11 and 12 across the North-West Coast.

Published: 31 March 2016

THE regrettable trend in modern politics, whereby winning elections is far more important than governing, is evident wherever parliamentary government is practised.

Published: 16 March 2016

A  PARLIAMENTARY inq­uiry has recommended an overhaul of Tasmania’s preventative healthcare systems with the state lagging far ­behind the national average in several areas.

Published: 18 November 2015

Wednesday 11 November 2015. 4.39 p.m.
(No. 46) Second Reading

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, the purpose of this bill is obvious from the opening line of the speech.  The bill is to recover some of the general costs of law enforcement and administration if a person is sentenced for offences in Tasmania.

Published: 18 November 2015

November 15, 2015. 2.44 p.m.
Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Dr GOODWIN

Mr President, this is the supplementary question to the question I asked yesterday which was not fully answered by the Leader. 

Published: 18 November 2015

November 15, 2015. 4.00 p.m.

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, each year the section 19 report gets a little better.  I am not referring to the amounts in the report, more the accompanying explanations.  When it comes to the impact on the budget, we do not get the full story.

Published: 18 November 2015

Tuesday 10 November 2015. 11.54 a.m.

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, if there was ever an issue that we should be able to discuss in a true nonpartisan way, then free trade should be it.

Published: 18 November 2015

Tuesday 10 November 2015. 11.16 a.m.
International White Cane Day

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I am very confident in suggesting that not one of us in this Chamber gave any real thought to whether the entry to Parliament House may have changed this morning as a result of the current works underway on the Parliament Square development, and whether we may need to avoid obstacles or take additional care to avoid running into something as we walked along.

Published: 18 November 2015

ALL the heavy lifting has been done, all major decisions made. The Tasmanian Government is back on track. This is what the media releases and headlines tell us. But is it really the case? The fact the general government sector, which covers all departments and agencies commonly referred to as “the government” forms only part of the overall state sector, is often overlooked.

Published: 17 September 2015

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I am sure all of us love to be entertained and we often travel long distances to attend quality productions that offer class acts in terms of great acting, music, comedy and all-round entertainment.

Published: 15 September 2015

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Dr GOODWIN

With regard to the provision of rural school bus services, are all or any school bus routes or services currently under review or due to be reviewed?  If so, when will the review be completed?  Will the outcome of any review be publicly available?  With regards to each route and service, what criteria will be used to determine whether they are viable?

 

Published: 25 August 2015

All Governments do it. Cherry picking figures to suit their narrative.

The Treasurer released the Government’s Preliminary Outcomes Report for 2014/15 and proclaimed a much better result than the estimated outcome contained in the May Budget papers, which in turn was much better than the original budget handed down in August 2014.

Published: 30 June 2015

More than any other State, Tasmania doesn’t have much wriggle room when framing budgets.  The Treasurer’s recently released Revised Estimates Report for 2014-15 shows this year’s budget hasn’t strayed too far from what was expected. It would have been alarming if it had as only four months elapsed from budget day to the end of the first half year. 

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