Made up of many small communities, our beautiful North-West Coast provides economic benefit to our state well above many of the more populous areas. Every community is unique and special, offering different opportunities and challenges. The uniqueness and the relative isolation of many communities appears poorly understood or appreciated by policy makers tasked with meeting the needs of the state. This is evidenced by the 'one size fits all' approach taken in many policy decisions and subsequently in legislation.

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COVID-19 caused enormous suffering and hardship, socially, economically and personally. Some were directly impacted more than others but no one remains untouched. We learned new ways of doing things and there are positive outcomes. Let’s hope the lessons that have seen the Australian economy survive COVID-19 aren’t quickly forgotten.

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Parliament is a workplace. There are members, parliamentary staff, ministers and their staff and public servants of varying ages gender and seniority. Workplaces have a culture, the way they do things. Our parliaments generally have a poor culture with lack of clear 'rules' and few formal processes to address behaviours that would attract a formal and structured response in almost all other workplaces.

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This year has been a challenging one in so many ways. Pressure on our relationships from family, to friends and colleagues, has been profound. For some, it has also heightened the risk and/or seriousness of family violence and abuse. Christmas, while a lovely family time for many, can be a time of great stress and heightened risk for those in abusive relationships.

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The government's Future Gaming Market policy, which should finally see the light of day this parliamentary session, includes, among others, two aims:

• to ensure returns from the gaming industry are shared appropriately among the industry, players and the government representing the community; and
• to continue to minimise harm caused by problem gambling

The industry and the government defend their lack of appropriate regard for problem gamblers by saying ad nauseam that problem gamblers comprise but a tiny proportion of overall society.

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Tasmanians don’t need a return to schoolyard brawling at such a time in our history.

For the first time in Tasmania, the Legislative Council is likely to have a majority of party affiliated members after the elections in Rosevears and Huon divisions.

Nothing to worry about according to the Premier, that’s democracy at work. Effective democracy however requires eternal vigilance.

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If there’s one policy that’s kept the wolf from the door for millions of Australians, it’s the JobKeeper payment.

While imperfect, it was timely and worked because it was a relatively direct payment to those in need.

One of the federal government’s first responses to the pandemic in March was a tax deduction for spending on plant and equipment up to $150,000 to stop the economy collapsing. Who was going to borrow to install plant with unemployment set to soar and demand about to fall off a cliff?

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Publicly funded education is fundamental to the promotion of a civil and just society.

Why is access to early education and care not considered in the same vein?

Public policy should always aim for equity, target vulnerable and disadvantaged families and children and support women's participation in the workforce, thus leading to increased productivity.

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The task ahead, the economic "fight of our lives", requires understanding of current challenges before designing a recovery plan for the post pandemic world.

All states will be facing similar problems. New ways of thinking and responding are necessary. The need for change has to be understood, as do the challenges. Hopefully our new pragmatic Premier will continue as to put his cards on the table for all to see.

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For every dollar received this year, Tasmania will spend $1.29. Spending on health will help, says Ruth Forrest

NEVER waste a crisis.

It’s a hackneyed phrase for sure, but it accurately sums up the sentiment of people I talk to. We need to take advantage of new opportunities as we rebuild and not squander any positives this extraordinary time has presented. We also need to explore which things we can do better.

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It was pleasing to hear the Prime Minister announce a continuation of the National Cabinet following its success as a decision-making forum during the pandemic. A continuation of cooperative federalism will be needed to ensure recovery of state government finances and is crucial to service delivery at the coalface. The plight of state governments has scarcely rated a mention as all focus has been on the millions of private businesses and their employees, but they have suffered similar revenue losses.

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Yesterday in Parliament I asked a number of questions relating to COVID19 in Tasmania and in the North-West in particular.

You can view the questions and the responses from the Government here:

Covid19 related questions - Legislative Council Thursday 7 May, 2020

"We've kept the budget in surplus - forecasting for the fifth year in a row - and that means more money to invest in essential services that Tasmanians need."

Those words from Premier Gutwein accompanied the February 11 release of the Government's Revised Estimates Report for 2019/20.

There are only two things wrong with the Premier's statement. First there is no surplus and second, there isn't more money to invest in essential services.

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This year a significant legislative change will be debated to alter the arrangements related to gaming machines or pokies in this state. The government has made its policy clear with regard to gaming machines. Despite the significant harm caused to many families in our community, gaming machines will not be removed from pubs and clubs.

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Spending too little each year, then a paltry catch-up, sets up our health system for failure.

There’s a surreal aspect to the current public commentary on the health crisis gripping Tasmania. We know there’s a problem and we need a solution.

Everyone avoids talking about the giant elephant in the room, the Government’s unsustainable fiscal position.

Addressing the health crisis requires looking at all factors that have contributed to the mess. Otherwise, suggested remedial action is about as useful as relying on backburning alone to address climate change challenges.

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The government is under pressure to release its final report on a review of the Electoral Act including political donations.

A government spokesman said: "As we have previously said, the review's interim report has been released, with a final report expected to government by the end of the year."

Independent member for Murchison Ruth Forrest wants the government to make public any proposed changes as a priority.

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The Advocate (2 December, 2019) reported on the recent Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) 2019 Tasmania Report, noting it paints 'a grim picture of the state's future if targeted investment into critical services is not achieved.'

The underlying issue, that almost everyone avoids talking about, is the government's unsustainable fiscal position. The State government is in the same position now as it was when it won government in 2014. We spend more than we receive. The imbalances will worsen. There are no cash buffers. There are no funds set aside for a rainy day.

The economic success and benefit is not being shared as the gap between economic and social outcomes has failed to close.

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It’s only a matter of time before reality catches up with the State government.

Treasury Secretary Tony Ferrall’s rewrite of his 2016 Fiscal Sustainability Report last month, when the original report was found to be lacking, sounded the warning bells loud and clear.

We should be thankful the Report was made directly to Parliament. There’s been a growing tendency for the government to put unfavourable reports on a trolley before wheeling them into the cabinet room to re-badge them as cabinet-in-confidence documents never to see the light of day.

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Being tough on crime and protecting our children and frontline workers from sexual and serious assaults must include measures that achieve effective deterrents, proportionate outcomes and protection of victims.

Minimum mandatory sentencing, as shown through extensive research, does not reduce crime nor act as a deterrent. Further it reduces the likelihood of a guilty plea resulting in further traumatisation for victims of crime and can result in unjust outcomes for some sectors of society including aboriginal people and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

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Wouldn’t it be nice to pick up a report into the sustainability of the Tasmanian Government’s finances and be told at the outset what is meant by “sustainable”?

If sustainable means still drawing breath, maybe we’re okay. For the time being.

The report into the sustainability of the state’s finances was released on October 8 without an accompanying media release. That’s always a telltale sign.

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