Andrew Wilkie MP

I asked the Prime Minister to allow Labor MPs a free vote on banning gambling advertising. His response? The same old guff to sidestep the uncomfortable reality that he’s the one holding this reform back #auspol #politas

It would be gross negligence if the Fed Gov & state govs were to wait for another catastrophic bushfire event & absolve themselves by claiming it was unprecedented. Gov’s must pull every lever available to assist the experts in protecting Australians. #auspol #politas

Greyhound racing is a deeply unpopular and cruel industry that is propped up by online wagering. It is beyond time to ban online betting on greyhounds & hasten the industry’s demise. #auspol #politas

Always a delight to meet with the great people at Tassie Mums. On the agenda today was the End Child Poverty campaign, and the value of the Fed Gov adopting a child-centric definition of poverty and appointing a Minister for Children. #auspol #politas

Great to see $3.2 mil fed funding for planning & design of the Halls Saddle Precinct. I’ve long lobbied for funding for a precinct at the former quarry site to enhance the mountain experience for both visitors & locals in a culturally sensitive & sustainable way #auspol #politas

An upgraded security treaty with Indonesia is significant & a welcome return to seeking our security in the region rather than from it. Of course, details matter & what lies behind the agreement still remains to be seen #auspol #politas

The Gov’s FOI bill makes it harder for the public to access info and easier for govs to hide it. Protecting public servants’ frank and fearless advice is an excuse, covering up gov missteps and mischief is the reality. My experience in 2003 tells that story. #auspol #politas

In introducing these environmental law reforms, the gov forgot the word ‘protection’. A slip of the tongue that tells us all we need to know about the so-called reforms. If these laws pass, environment ministers are sure to oversee the next mass extinction event #auspol #politas

Aged care providers shouldn’t be balancing their books off the back of vulnerable older Australian’s who are stretching every dollar to remain at home safe and independent. The Government must ensure older Australians get the care they pay for. #auspol #politas

Honoured to host Sydney Peace Prize winner Judge Navi Pillay to brief parliamentarians on Aus's obligation to prevent & punish genocide. She made it clear that genocide is occurring now, and efforts must be made now to prevent it. #politas #auspol

Despite the incompetent state gov, Tas still boast an incredible unique environment, world leading sustainability initiatives & fabulous tourism opportunities. Tas is small but mighty & really is the jewel in Australia’s crown. #auspol #politas

The Gov’s boost to bulk-billing incentives is welcome but they are not being honest when they say there is a ‘surge’ in bulk billing GPs in Tassie. There is no doubt we need to strengthen primary care, but we need more than this parsimonious approach. #auspol #politas

Aus is supposed to be a country where the rule of law & natural justice applies. The Gov’s sneaky attempt to strip welfare from people before they’ve been convicted of any crime is a fundamental breach of these principles. We may as well dissolve the court system. #auspol #politas

We haven’t only just seen a brazen attempt to wind back transparency from this Gov, it’s been much more insidious than that. And it’s eroding trust, building community frustration & weakening our democracy. #politas #auspol

For all the Fed Gov’s talk about domestic emissions reduction, they’re still dodging responsibility for the climate harm Aus exports daily. The ICJ’s recent ruling should be a wake-up call. #auspol #politas

There’s no excuse for the Federal Government’s refusal to ban gambling adverting. Shameful that they don’t care about the harm of gambling addiction, and are scared stiff of the gambling & media companies and of the AFL & NRL #auspol #politas

Reintroducing a six-year limit on debt recovery was a key recommendation of the Robodebt Royal Commission. My amendment today would do just that #auspol #politas

Important take outs from my meeting yesterday with a group of young Palestinians; that debates on uni campuses should be respectful of facts, free speech & non-discriminatory, & that a good place to start would be applying Australia’s existing discrimination laws. #auspol #politas

When it comes to healthcare, Tasmanians are being left behind. I seconded Dr Helen Haines’ motion, because it’s not about getting more, it’s about fairness. Everyone deserves healthcare that works, no matter where they live. #politas #auspol

Since the Tas Gov and Opp won't listen to expert advice, represent the majority of Tasmanians and stand up to the AFL' s stadium shakedown tactics, it falls to crossbench parliamentarians and Mayors to do it. #politas #auspol

Very welcome federal funding boost for youth mental health services, including $412k for Headspace Hobart. Young Tasmanians have some of the highest rates of mental health conditions in Australia and desperately need access to well-funded support services. #auspol #politas

Good Hobart Clinic news. It’s too important to lose. But let’s be honest, a last-minute announcement, only a temporary respite & it looks more like getting the Tas Gov past the stadium vote than saving the Clinic. Little comfort for people most in need #politas #auspol

Distressed to hear Madeleine Habib’s boat has been intercepted & boarded by IDF. Yet another breach of int law by Israel. I’m in Canberra & liaising now with the PM’s office. Israel must immediately release all on board including our brave Tasmanian Madeleine #auspol #politas

Today the Tas Govt officially binned the Planning Commission’s damning report into the proposed Mac Pt AFL stadium. But if the knuckleheads actually knew anything about ‘future prosperity’, they’d be focussed instead on essential infrastructure and services #auspol #politas

The Premier & the Opp Leader would build the stadium against the advice of every expert & the will of a majority of the community. And it’s our children & their children who will have to pay for it. Want a corflute? Go here nonewstadium.au/getasign/ #politas #auspol

Gambling regulation in Aus is a national disgrace. The govt has ignored the Murphy Report & repeatedly blocked my bill to hold gambling giants accountable. If they won’t listen to evidence, experts or the crossbench, they should at least listen to the community. #auspol #politas

Spoke to Madeleine Habib, Tassie captain of the Conscience in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. They’re aiming to break Israel’s siege of Gaza & deliver aid. Aus Gov could learn a lot from these brave people. Their int’l law responsibility doesn’t stop with recognising Palestine.

It is blatantly obvious that our public health system cannot absorb the patient load if the 27-bed Hobart Clinic closes. State Gov needs to re-assess its priorities & negotiate to buy and operate the clinic #politas #auspol

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Black swans are a protected native species, and it’s appalling the Tas Gov still issue permits allowing them to be culled. I have written to Minister Pearce urging him to employ other measures that would safeguard these beautiful native birds #politas #auspol