Opinion
Ruth’s opinion pieces and editorials on political, economic, and social issues facing Tasmania.
Tasmania’s Housing Crisis: When the Numbers Don’t Add Up
The Tasmanian Government proudly declares it’s on track to deliver 10,000 new affordable homes by 2032. Strip away the glossy headlines and what remains is a hollow boast built on…
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Tasmania’s Budget: Smoke, Mirrors, and a $20 Billion Debt Mountain
When Treasurer Eric Abetz delivered Tasmania’s 2025-26 State Budget promising “brightness and optimism,” both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s have not changed Tasmania’s outlook from Negative. When both credit rating…
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Tasmania’s Budget Crisis: Behind the Accounting Illusions
The 2025-26 State Budget promises a bright future while delivering accounting tricks, unrealistic assumptions, and a debt trajectory heading toward $20 billion. [...]Read More... from Tasmania’s Budget Crisis: Behind the…
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Operational vs Capital expenditure – a Treasurer’s fiscal and moral assessment
In a media interview this week, the Treasurer attempted to defend the government’s simultaneous pursuit of a $1+ billion stadium while cutting nearly 3,000 public sector positions. His defence rests…
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Beyond the Headlines: TasNetworks’ Deeper Financial Crisis
This update reflects on the financial position of TasNetworks and future challenges the company faces in the energy transition. [...]Read More... from Beyond the Headlines: TasNetworks’ Deeper Financial Crisis
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Hydro Tasmania’s Hidden Crisis
This update considers Hydro Tasmania's 2024/25 Annual Report - what did it tell us? [...]Read More... from Hydro Tasmania’s Hidden Crisis
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TTLine’s financial disaster: A short history
The unheralded lodgement of TTLine’s financial statements for the 24/25 year a little earlier than expected was a mixed blessing. On one hand it was pleasing to see the new…
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Critical Appraisal of TTLine 2024/25 Financials
Assessing the Fiscal Health and Future Viability of TTline The TTLine annual financials were lodged with ASIC 5 weeks ago without fanfare. Often, and more usually, they are lodged late…
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Voodoo economics: The Government’s new approach to project appraisal
This is a more detailed and expanded version of the opinion piece published on 17 October titled When Economic Spin Masquerades as Analysis. [...]Read More... from Voodoo economics: The Government’s…
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Opinion: When Economic Spin Masquerades as Analysis
This opinion seeks to explain the issues associated with the recent opinion piece published in the Mercury Newspaper by the Tasmanian Co-ordinator General. I will post a more detailed explanation…
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MARINUS Stage 1 WHOLE-OF-STATE BUSINESS CASE (WoSBC) – Number 6 – Marinus and the History of Hydro in Tasmania
This latest update provides detail on the history of Hydro electricity in Tasmania and what this history tells about the future with the inclusion of Marinus. [...]Read More... from MARINUS…
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MARINUS Stage 1 WHOLE-OF-STATE BUSINESS CASE (WoSBC) – Number 5
This is my 5th comment on the Marinus Whole of State Business Case - Where to now? [...]Read More... from MARINUS Stage 1 WHOLE-OF-STATE BUSINESS CASE (WoSBC) – Number 5
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Newest Posts
- Parliament Misses Opportunity to Strengthen Budget Oversight as Fiscal Crisis Deepens
- Why I decided to accept the position of Treasurer if Tasmania has a Labor Minority government
- If you want to get to SurplusTown, would you start from here?
- Tasmania’s Housing Crisis: When the Numbers Don’t Add Up
- Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Amendment Bill 2025
- MOTION – Noting Budget Papers 2025-26 and Appropriation Bills (No. 1 and No. 2)
- ABC Hobart Drive – Public Accounts Committee Interim Report
- Tasmania’s Budget: Smoke, Mirrors, and a $20 Billion Debt Mountain
- SPECIAL INTEREST MATTERS – Come from Away