Tasmanian Inquirer

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Tasmanian Inquirer’s previous stories on pokies are here
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/topics/poker...

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New Tasmanian Liquor & Gaming Commission data on #pokies:

* $17.98 million lost in Aug – $7.5m lost in Federal Group’s 2 casinos

* $196.7m lost in the last year

* $1.34 billion lost since 2018 ‘pokies’ state election #politas #Tasmania #gambling

Data here
www.treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-g...

In reality, the Department of Premier and Cabinet agreed to disclose then premier David Bartlett’s appointments diary in 2009 following a Freedom of Information request by the author. The details disclosed were comprehensive: meetings with departmental officials, other MPs, party events, and lobbyists, along with details of who attended the meetings, their purpose and duration. While the request was only for three months, Bartlett instituted the ongoing disclosure of the diary covering all his portfolios. Bartlett’s decision ensured Tasmania became the first jurisdiction in Australia to disclose the premier’s appointment diary. This continued during the Labor-Green government between 2010 and 2014, but was abandoned following the Liberal party’s 2014 election win. Tasmania’s example sparked interest in other states, with Queensland instituting disclosure in 2014 and New South Wales and the ACT following in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Victoria began disclosing ministerial diaries in February.

Comment: The Lib govt claimed it was the first to disclose ministerial appointments dairies - this is only half true

After a FOI request, in 2009 Labor Premier David Bartlett began disclosing his appoinments diary. It was a nation-leading reform that was later scrapped by the Hodgman govt #politas

Will Tasmanians get to see who government ministers really meet? | Tasmanian Inquirer Neither the Liberal nor Labor party have committed to reintroducing what was once Australia’s greatest level of public disclosure of ministerial meetings if they win government at this weekend’s elect...

The motion passed on the voices #politas #TasInq

There was no contribution on the debate by Labor MPs

Labor have baulked at committing to improvements to ministerial diary disclosure before when White was leader

tasmanianinquirer.com.au/news/will-ta...

The leader of the Government defended the Rockliff's government's current approach to ministerial diaries disclosure and opposed the motion

Webb in response said she had 'steam coming out of her ears' about the goverment's position - said best practice elements are well known #politas #TasInq

Referred to Premier Rockliff's November 2, 2023 meeting with salmon industry representatives at a $4400 per head event #politas #TasInq

Details of that meeting and questions about it here:

tasmanianinquirer.com.au/news/analysi...

Greens MP Cassy O'Connor said that all members say that all members of the Legislative Council should feel "disrepected" because two previous motions have been ignored by the government #politas #TasInq

Referred to the need to be able to see which lobbyists ministers are meeting

Ruth Forrest speaking in support of the motion #politas #TasInq

Said that greater transparency is not only good for increased accountability but offers protections for the ministers

"It is not a huge ask"

YouTube video by Parliament of Tasmania Legislative Council

The webcast of the Lego Co debate on the motion for improved ministerial diaries disclosure is here
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03jc...

#politas #auspol #TasInq

Ministerial appointments diaries | Tasmanian Inquirer

Earlier Tasmanian Inquirer articles on the topic are here
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/articles/min...

#politas #auspol #TasInq

Motion notes previous resolutions on the topic requesting the Tas govt for improvements and a review to "(a) ensure the process is informed by best practice examples of mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diary requirements established in other jurisdictions, including examples of oversight and compliance requirements; and (b) develop and publicly consult on a proposed Tasmanian mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diaries scheme. 2). That the Legislative Council further notes that: (a) The Tasmanian Government failed to report progress to this House by the 28 November last year as requested by the 10 September resolution; (b) public consultation on a proposed Tasmanian mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diaries scheme did not occur; and (c) despite the Tasmanian Government introducing quarterly routine disclosure of Ministerial diaries commencing with the January/March 2023 quarter; the current routine disclosures of Ministerial diaries system is not mandatory under statute; does not occur in a reliable and timely manner; and the format and details disclosed remain deficient. 3). That the Legislative Council also notes, given the failure to implement the Integrity Commission’s Lobbyist Code of Conduct reforms this year, the growing urgency for clear, timely and transparent disclosure of lobbying contact between government, advisors and lobbyists. 4). And that the Legislative Council calls on the Tasmanian government to: (a) undertake comprehensive and public consultation as a priority on a best practice mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diaries model, and that process is to provide for input into the design, disclosure details, timeliness, application, and any other related matter; and (b) report back to the Legislative Council by 5 December 2025 in relation to the above."

The Tasmanian Legislative Council has started debate on a motion by Meg Webb to improve the current system of ministerial diaries disclosure #politas #auspol #TasInq

The motion is below

A background paper on the motion by Webb is here
megwebb.com.au/wp-content/u...

The independent review into Tasmania’s Right to Information (RTI) framework has been released

The report is available here (note it is 346 pp with all the submissions included) #politas #auspol #FOI

www.dpac.tas.gov.au/__data/asset...

Tasmanian Inquirer publishes independent open-access public-interest journalism about #Tasmania

You can sign up for email alerts about new stories @ tasmanianinquirer.com.au/subscribe/

TI is funded by our readers - you can donate @ tasmanianinquirer.com.au/contribute/

Thanks for your support!

Huon Aquaculture reported 4 dolphin deaths at salmon farms Four dolphins died entangled in equipment at Huon Aquaculture salmon farms in the first half of 2025, newly released Tasmanian government data reveals.

🐬 Four dolphins died at Huon Aquaculture #salmon farms during first half of 2025. Total number of dolphin deaths over the past two years is now seven, adding to a wildlife toll that includes 108 seals killed on salmon leases since 2018.
#politas #auspol

▶️ tasmanianinquirer.com.au/news/huon-aq...

Labor’s Shadow Cabinet Hon Josh Willie MP Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Economic Development Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years Janie Finlay MP Deputy Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Energy & Renewables Shadow Minister for Primary Industries & Aquaculture Shadow Minister for Water Shadow Minister for Environment, Parks & Climate Change Shadow Minister for Innovation, Artificial Intelligence & the Digital Economy Dean Winter MP Shadow Treasurer Shadow Minister for Planning Shadow Minister for Racing Ella Haddad MP Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Justice & Integrity Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations Shadow Minister for Equality Hon Sarah Lovell MLC Leader of Opposition Business in the Legislative Council Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing & Ageing Shadow Minister for Disability Shadow Minister for Women Anita Dow MP Shadow Minister for Tourism & Events Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Shadow Minister for Local Government Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Shane Broad MP Shadow Minister for Resources Shadow Minister for Building & Construction Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs Jen Butler MP Shadow Minister for Police, Fire & Emergency Services Shadow Minister for Transport Shadow Minister for Corrections & Rehabilitations Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs Hon Luke Edmunds MLC Shadow Minister for Stadiums & Sport Shadow Minister for Finance Shadow Minister for Hospitality Meg Brown MP Opposition Whip Shadow Minister for Housing Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family & Sexual Violence Shadow Minister for Heritage & Arts Brian Mitchell MP Shadow Minister for TAFE, Skills & Training Shadow Minister for Small Business Jess Greene MP Shadow Minister for Children & Young People Shadow Minister for Community Services Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Hon Craig Farrell MLC President of the Legislative Council

Tasmanian Labor's Shadow Cabinet #politas

Factory fish farms are graveyards for native wildlife and should be removed immediately – Bob Brown Foundation Shockingly in just one month, 15 native birds and one seal have drowned in a single Tassal industrial fish farm lease on the Tasman Peninsula. Right to Informat

Other reactions today include

Bob Brown Foundation
bobbrown.org.au/factory-fish...

Neighbours of Fishfarming
www.noff.au/l/seal-and-c...

Tas Greens
tasgreensmps.org/media-releas...

Seal dies after botched tranquilisation attempt at Tasmanian salmon farm A seal and 15 cormorants died in a Tasmanian salmon farm in the space of a week after becoming trapped inside, despite Tassal assurances that it would prevent wildlife interactions.

ABC News has a follow up story on the #TasInq RTI on the deaths of a seal & 15 cormorants at a Tassal #salmon lease in #Tasmania #politas

Incl comments from Ind MP Peter George, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff & Govt MP Kerry Vincent

Story by Adam Holmes here
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

Tasmanian Inquirer publishes independent open-access public-interest journalism about #Tasmania

You can sign up for email alerts about new stories @ tasmanianinquirer.com.au/subscribe/

TI is funded by our readers - you can donate @ tasmanianinquirer.com.au/contribute/

Thanks for your support!

Adult seal and 15 cormorants drowned at Tasmanian salmon farm. Fifteen cormorants and a seal drowned at a salmon farm in southern Tasmania in June, government documents reveal.

More cormorants and a fur seal have died in #salmon pens that were meant to prevent the entry of wildlife. The deaths have sparked calls to cancel Tassal's 'green tick' for salmon from its West of Wedge lease. Bob Burton has the details. #politas #auspol

▶️ tasmanianinquirer.com.au/news/adult-s...

Tas Labor has elected Josh Willie as leader and Janie Finlay as deputy leader #politas

Labor press release: Rockliff’s dirty deal sells out Tasmanian workers Jeremy Rockliff’s sell-out of Tasmanian workers has been made official with the coronation of a Liberal-Green Government.

Unlike Jeremy Rockliff, Labor won’t abandon workers or make deals behind closed doors. While Jeremy Rockliff caved in to the Greens and compromised his values for power, I stood by workers and did not. Not only has the Liberals’ decade-old Labor-Green scare campaign been put to bed, but the Liberals are now in bed with the Greens themselves.

Labor failed to win the support of any of the 6 independent crossbench MPs for its motion if no confidence

Labor's first media release after losing the vote is to focus on how the 5 Greens MPs voted #politas

The final vote on Labor's motion of no confidence. The motion was lost 24-10.

The final vote on Labor's motion of no confidence.

The motion was lost 24-10. #politas

Liberal Jacquie Petrusma elected speaker with 25 votes

Labor's nominee Jen Butler's got 10 votes #politas

YouTube video by Parliament of Tasmania House of Assembly

The livestream of Tas House of Assembly is here #politas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOV8...

Swearing in of members at the moment

Kevin Bonham is live-blogging the sitting here
kevinbonham.blogspot.com/2025/08/tasm...

A Tasmanian Labor post on Facebook stated "BREAKING: The Greens have just sided with Jeremy Rockliff and Eric Abetz to form a Liberal-Green Government."

Tas Labor created a post on Facebook claiming the "Greens have just sided with Jeremy Rockliff and Eric Abetz to form a Liberal-Green Government" #politas

The comments aren't running in Labor's favour

(Note: the Greens simply stated they won't support Labor's motion of no confidence)

Note: many of these reforms require legislation

A minority Rockliff govt can't by itself block legislation backed by Labor + crossbench #politas

In the last parliament, Labor backed some Greens-changes to electoral laws & a majority supported Labor's industrial manslaughter laws. Both became law.

Labor leader Dean Winter also sent out an email listing a series of reforms & claiming that if a Rockliff govt "stays in power, it would mean that none of these progressive reforms are delivered" #politas

tasmanianinquirer.com.au/wp-content/u...

Labor media release 18 August 2025 The birth of a Liberal-Green alliance Tasmania has witnessed the birth of a Liberal-Green Government. The Liberals sold out traditional industries to get the support of the Green Independents. But they offered so much, they got the Greens as well. It was a craven, desperate bid to retain power, and it worked. Jeremy Rockliff has proven he will sell out any Tasmanian job to save his own. The Greens had a choice to make. They have chosen to support the Liberals. This means they are abandoning their progressive voters, and abandoning a host of progressive policies that will never be delivered if a conservative Liberal Rockliff-Abetz government stays power. I said I would not do a deal with the Greens and I said I would not abandon workers. I kept true to my word while Jeremy Rockliff did a deal with the enemy of working people. This is a deal we will never let him get away with.

Labor media release issued late afternoon Aug 18 following the statements of the Greens & Kristie Johnston #politas

Yesterday former Labor leader turned independent David O'Byrne said he wouldn't support Labor's motion of no-confidence Apologies - forgot to post it yesterday #politas

tasmanianinquirer.com.au/wp-content/u...

Also interview with David Reilly today on ABC Hobart
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Tas Labor has failed to negotiate an agreement to form minority govt 3 times since the March 2024: #politas #auspol

* March 24, 2024 Labor ruled out working with the Greens after the 2024 election

* Ditto after Labor's June 5, 2025 no confidence motion passed

* July-August 2025