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 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 […]
Today I spoke in Parliament about some of the wonderful achievements of Hellyer College students in 2025. You can watch my speech here: […]
Ms FORREST question to DEPUTY LEADER for the GOVERNMENT, Mr VINCENT Legislative Council, Tuesday 17 March 2026 QUESTION: With regard to TasPorts operations: (1) (a) How many marine pilotage services have been provided annually over the last 5 years; and (b) How many marine pilots have been employed each year for the last 5 years, […]
Legislative Council, Tuesday 17 March 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for HOUSING and PLANNING, Mr VINCENT With regard to the operations of Homes Tasmania and the Housing Connect System Reform project: QUESTION: ANSWER: There was no set tender value for the Housing Connect System Reform as the project is made up of multiple parts […]
Read More… from QUESTION ON NOTICE – Homes Tasmania and Housing Connect
The wellbeing of our elected representatives should not be hidden, if they are struggling then decision-making suffers. Politics is demanding work. Not just intellectually, but emotionally, psychologically, and personally. The pressures on elected representatives – at every level – are relentless: public scrutiny, difficult decisions, adversarial debate, and the ever-present weight of responsibility for outcomes […]
Read More… from Mental health in political life vital to democracy
You can listen to my latest interview with Leon, where we discuss the upcoming budget, here: […]
Hydro is operating in a changing environment with new challenges. When Hydro Tasmania’s chief executive recently offered to meet and discuss the issues raised in my two recent Talking Point articles and the 18 chapter Hydro Explainer series on my website, I readily agreed. It was a constructive discussion open, respectful and professional but it […]
