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?
I wrote to the Premier on 3 June 2026 seeking clear and direct answers regarding the leaking of an email sent on my behalf as Chair of Estimates Committee A, and to ask how his handling of the matter aligns with his stated commitment to leadership, accountability and a respectful workplace culture. In particular, I […]
Read More… from An Update: The Protection and Integrity of Parliamentary Correspondence
Infrastructure and Transport Services LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Thursday 4 June 2026 CHAIR – Minister, I could have perhaps asked this in 2.1, but I thought I’d save it for capital investment. You’ll know what’s coming: the Cam River Bridge. I’m talking about traffic congestion. The old Cooee crawl doesn’t get any better. We had some recent […]
Read More… from Extract from ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A – Hon. Kerry Vincent MLC
The Truth behind Tasmania’s Budget. For years Treasury has warned that Tasmania is heading toward a fiscal abyss and that only a balanced mix of restraint, revenue measures and structural reform could avert it. The Government ignored that advice, choosing instead a three‑year dash to peak debt built solely on spending cuts, uncosted operational efficiencies, […]
Read More… from Tasmanian Budget is built on a ‘miraculous’ Hydro Tasmania profit surge
In the interests of openness, transparency, accountability and clarity, I have posted this letter I sent to the Premier on Wednesday 3 June by email and text message. I welcome his response as requested in the letter. […]
Legislative Council, Thursday 28 May 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, I rise again this evening on the matter of the leak to the media of a confidential committee email. Last night I spoke on adjournment and asked a simple question: who in this government shared a private internal communication with Pulse news. At the […]
Legislative Council, Wednesday 27 May 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Thanks, Mr President. So people don’t get too stressed, I’ve got to speak for a little bit, then adjourn the debate, as requested by the Leader. I know members have lots on as well. I rise to speak on some much‑needed reform to the Local Government Act […]
Read More… from LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT (TARGETED REFORM) BILL 2026
Legislative Council, Wednesday 27 May 2026 Ms FORREST (Murchison) – Mr. President, I rise on adjournment after having listened to the contribution of the member for Rumney which is quite disturbing and raises concerns about code of conduct matters. Sadly, mine goes to that point as well. I rise to ask a very simple question: […]
I have received the Government’s response to the petition seeking the extension of the 12-month limitation period for prosecution of coercive control related offences. You can read the response here: […]
You can listen to my latest interview with Davie Riley here: […]
Legislative Council, Wednesday 27 May 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for ENERGY and RENEWABLES, Mr DUIGAN ANSWER: The most appropriate source of advice on the detail of the National Electricity Rules (NER) is the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and in relation to the conduct of the settlement residue auctions, the Australian Energy Market Operator […]
Legislative Council, Tuesday 26 May 2026 Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for INFRASTRUCTURE, Mr VINCENT I’m sure you’ve seen the ABC reporting on some concerns about the structural integrity of the foundations of the Bridgewater Bridge. Are you concerned about that, minister? If you’re not, how do we reassure Tasmanians, and me, that it’s still […]
Legislative Council, Tuesday 26 May 2026 Ms. FORREST (Murchison) – Mr President, I want to begin by congratulating the Treasurer on his budget speech, not for fiscal content, which I will come to shortly, but for its literary opening. The Treasurer told this parliament: ‘as the good book reminds us, this is there is a […]
Read More… from Noting – Budget Papers 2026-27 and Appropriation Bills
