Tasmania

Greens leaders caution that tens of thousands of Tasmanians will demonstrate if the government permits logging on 400,000 hectares of safeguarded forest. Bob Brown, Christine Milne, Peg Putt, Cassy O’Connor and Nick McKim addressed a press conference. The regions include Bruny Island, Wielangta, Blue Tier and Tarkine forests protected by a peace agreement. O’Connor states the proposal would cause economic division, in Tasmania. Health Minister Ferguson asserts the decision will preserve 700 jobs and the government stands firm in backing the forest industry. Only Greens talking about forest wars, he claims. 

A councillor in Launceston Tasmania states that the Princess Theatre and Earl Arts Centre redevelopment expenses will exceed the $30 million projection. The City of Launceston has yet to verify the cost. Council CEO Sam Johnson declined to address leaked reports regarding increasing expenses. He mentioned the council adheres to protocols and will not speak…

Tasmania’s credit ranking from Moody’s fell from Aa2 to Aa3, making it the worst-rated Australian state. The rating is a consequence of the sharp increase in the debt burden and growing interest costs. Its net debt is projected to rise from $5 billion to $10.4 billion by 2029. Its treasurer, Eric Abetz, expressed that he is not alarmed, while welcoming the outlook revision from negative to stable. Economist Saul Eslake labelled this a vote of no confidence in the government’s fiscal performance. The business body urges urgent reform of the budget, targeting expenses, not taxes. 

Ross Burridge, operations executive at TasNetworks was given a $712,000 severance payment after his position was made redundant. Chair Roger Gill explained that executive benefits were tied to legacy deals following the Hydro Tasmania split century, which the company was required to honor. Over a three-year overhaul the company reduced the team from eight to five. The year executive Wayne Tucker received a $711,000 severance. TasNetworks confirmed Burridge was the executive under that contract arrangement. The company disbursed $22 million, in entitlements during workforce reduction from 1,250 to 1,100 employees.