Tasmania July to December 2022

A divisive row over whether the Tasmanian government should spend $750 million to build a new stadium on Hobart's waterfront secure team in AFL competition dominated state politics second half of 2022. The issue managed overshadow ongoing concerns provision hospital services, housing crisis, rising cost living pressures and resignation from parliament yet another minister. Yet, at end period, enjoyed continued popularity. proposed Australian Rules football languishing Macquarie Point site near Hobart became significant political issue, both within Liberal Party between state's north south. Specified as precondition for Tasmania join following decades-long obfuscation Melbourne-based body, Premier backed its construction provided federal funding could be found. In so doing, previous plans redevelop including reconciliation park were consigned waste bin. While cost, estimated around million, was compared with money that might instead spent much-needed health facilities social housing, Jeremy Rockliff Liberals insisted it would provide major economic boost tourism, used entertainment spectacles well other sports. However, Liberals, such Senators Duniam, Askew Chandler, opposed idea their electorates are statewide, outside southern unpopular, current stadiums – Bellerive York Park upgraded considerably less than Point. Labor Greens stadium, while there overwhelming support local government. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not rule out against position his counterparts but signalled must include full plan which he had already authorised an allocation $50 decade prior when minister Gillard (ABC News, 15 December 2022). meantime, more evidence decline. Floods devasted many grassroots clubs October, example Deloraine clubrooms ground went completely underwater. Many “severely impacted” according (Media Release, 18 October This contrast fortunes basketball, where national league, JackJumpers, reached final, much benefit participation membership. July, Police Jacquie Petrusma resigned becoming fourth exit nine-minister cabinet since election May 2021, former Peter Gutwein ministers Jane Howlett Sarah Courtney. Citing “personal family reasons”, appears have become usual refrain those taking early soon after election, said “Being member is incredible honour privilege, however, no denying time required impacts your family” 25 July Petrusma, who also held Fire Emergency Management, Prevention Family Violence, Parks portfolios, first elected 2010 appointed Hodgman Liberals' 2014 victory, lost Human Services portfolio 2018 election. frontbench entirely 2019 due issues stemming problems cochlear implant returned ministry 2021 immediately announced Braddon MHA Felix Ellis' appointment Petrusma's portfolios distributed Jo Palmer Roger Jaensch. Ellis August 2020 recount under Hare-Clark system Joan Rylah. He successfully defended seat replace Franklin close contest two candidates Huon Valley mayor Bec Enders Dean Young, came small business background accounting hospitality. high-profile picked up 5,281 redistributed votes pipped by eastern shore-based Young 5,808 (Tasmanian Electoral Commission, Meanwhile, upper house Siejka joined exodus Legislative Council resign force by-election year. Siejka, Pembroke shore, left move interstate her husband. Her departure followed shock Labor's MLC Dr Bastian Seidel criticising ALP infighting saying brief stint him disillusioned (Mercury, 17 won 2017 2019. potential upset sometimes-delicate voting balance 15-member parties four seats, independents holding seven. Luke Edmunds 10 September maintained status quo. Edmunds, Clarence city councillor journalist, 63.26 per cent vote. At Party's conference August, policies expansion government's Working Together program, provides free learning three-year-olds kindergarten, intention establish regional strategic partnerships conjunction Local Government Association Tasmania, create state-wide industry network expand skills training line needs 20 language announcement resonant premier Jim Bacon's Partnership Agreement strategies late 1990s inclusiveness set twenty-year framework direction planning land use. Like predecessors Will Gutwein, has been building reputation moderate assuming premiership, example, supporting change date Australia Day, backing republic, referendum give Indigenous peoples Voice Federal Parliament. sponsored legislation through restore size House Assembly 35 supported 2010. everyone bought “moderate inclusive” image. pointed pursuit premiership anti-protest despite earlier High Court rulings attempts unconstitutional. Further signs harder right undertone included harsher penalties public nuisance offences blocking vehicles or pedestrians street. There simmering abuse community grants garner during elections, decision override independent recommendations appointments tribunals, hard-line budgetary constraints sector pay rises (Togatus, varying reactions Aboriginal Advisory group progress Truth-telling Treaty, Nala Mansell Centre calling into question representativeness body. comments TAC's boycott process. six-person consisted Rodney Dillon, Dave mangenner Gough, Nick Cameron, Gypsy Draven, Maxine Roughly Theresa Sainty different areas (National Times, 2 promised campaign forthcoming referendum, contrary National likely (Australian, 8 2022), prominent Palawa elder chair Land Michael November 29 subsequent interview published Sydney Criminal Lawyers 21 December, positive effect people being conveyed. Instead, Senate seats produce genuine change. interview, “the weakest proposal advancement anyone come with. addition that, if this term office, will sign off treaty. means we've got choice treaty office Voice. difference options delivers nothing advice comment any makes law affect people.” Mansell's views, shared all leaders. Elder working group, believed Australians ready debate mature way Tasmania's next members increase passed houses November. proportional system, each five return seven June 2025. reduced 1998 Rundle 19 agreement Liberals. For lower using multi-member electorate increased quota successful candidate win 12.5 16.6 cent, making difficult minor thus lessening prospect hung parliaments, although arguably proven case. Since 2010, three represented agreed principle numbers restored heavy growing workload MPs, talent pool draw ministers, difficulties filling casual vacancies recounts die office. But they restored, committed legislating voter backlash. That changed 2022 newly installed made surprise announcement, pledging table bill before unanimously 24 Attorney-General Elise Archer she removed names applicants list Civil Administrative Tribunal because doubted ability uphold TASCAT Code Conduct. created bring together nine tribunals aimed resolving legal proceedings mental health, guardianship, workers compensation, asbestos motor accidents, practitioners, anti-discrimination, resources planning, forestry. It 90 members. remove “other positions perception impartiality.” One person Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Robin Banks, previously statutory officer governments. Banks Commonwealth Group Experts reform sexual offences, hate crimes related laws, Berkeley Center Comparative Equality & Law, Discrimination Law Group. Archer's action raised shadow, Ella Haddad (media release, Remarkably, replacement highly popular successor April ministerial appeared do little dent dominance Party. An opinion survey conducted pollsters EMRS found 42 one poll about same level Gutwein's resignation. Support down points 31 August. rose marginally 14 rise 1 point poll. Also remarkable remaining decided voters, 16 stated vote option parties, broadly recorded reflecting Clark Kristie Johnston. remained firmly preferred 46 ahead leader Rebecca White 34 cent. CommSec State States report released noted slipping third report, top rankings best performing territory economies comparing eight indicators territory's average. were: growth; retail spending; equipment investment; unemployment; work done; population finance; dwelling commencements. most general indicator, growth, year only (up 28.6 cent), Western (35.4 above ‘normal’ decade-average output), Northern Territory's output 33.9 output; Queensland 30.9 cent). led overall especially improvements spending finance. According Chief Economist Craig James, quick board consistently high across (CommBank media saw improvement position. Department Treasury Finance Revised Estimates Report net operating improved $497.6 reflected range revenue expenditure changes. dramatic real estate prices began cool. fell last quarter 2022, 1.9 alone, property analysts CoreLogic. 6.9 drop value greatest capital city, behind −12.1 Melbourne −8.1 Median $673,000 still pre-pandemic median price $489,000 February 2020. Nationwide, values dropped 5.3 fall 2018, whereas 8.5 northeast northwest, Launceston 2.8 3 January 2023). revised figures Bureau Statistics reported 571,517 persons, years 2030 target 570,000 (Department Growth, Consultation strategy discussion paper completed October. development, submission government, release implementation concluded 2023. recently formed reference consisting Housing Guy Barnett organisations interest area, Social Services, Shelter Real Estate Institute Master Builders' Association, met September, 13 structure Homes Tasmania. commitment deliver 10,000 affordable homes 2032 central part (Homes arrangements criticism worsening crisis wait blown 28 November, thousands workers, teachers, nurses, staff, firefighters civil servants, turned “stop work” rallies protest low wages poor conditions. union gatherings coincided debates recent offer 3.5 years. shadow treasurer Shane Broad closely reflect inflation then running Treasurer Ferguson matching lead wage-price spiral resulting even higher inflation. rank-and-file leaders deteriorating conditions understaffing equally important concerns. Rockliff, kept focus offer, final 9 draft Salmon Industry Plan 2023 consultation 23 briefing sessions planned state. Primary Industries Palmer, web-based feedback encouraged finalisation initial response draft, groups Neighbours Fish Farms, Alliance Marine Protection, Killora Community marked “a complete capitulation foreign-owned giving what wants, wants … rid waters polluting salmon feedlots step few months.” several environment regarded process sham it. key demands farms shallow water leases, farming onshore, transparent governance itself remarkably quiet relation existing farms. news item leases affected Vibrio anguillarum, bacterium can “high mortality rate” salmon. Tassal Aquaculture respond requests details how died outbreak year, revealed tonne antibiotics containment (Guardian, Youth Jaensch closure troubled Ashley Detention 2024. Similar declaration foreshadowed model care” involving “contemporary therapeutic facilities” entire youth justice centre investigations child institutions commission inquiry changes minimum age detention 14, campaigns Amnesty International, criminal responsibility unusually world standards. consistent states. Such abuses children uncovered inquiry, University criminologist Rob “could enough” “it razed ground” Leigh Carmichael, creative director controversial winter festival Dark Mofo, follow program 22 Carmichael decade, helping reverse traditional mid-year tourism slump embracing cold, dark primitive, events dawn solstice nude swim. Other projects Hanging Gardens development “Transformer”, permanent artwork Doug Aitken Ida Bay far south, remain DarkLab, agency owned Mona's David Walsh. Two Tasmanians seven-person Cultural Policy expert panels developing cultural policy, ‘Revive’. Sinsa Mansell, Trawoolaway woman larapuna co-founder producer pakana kanaplila, contemporary dance troupe. Kitty Taylor, visual artist RANT Arts, peak organisation administering Regional Arts Fund Devonport-based, socially engaged practice capacity communities (Federal Office 26 Elections councils notable stood for, particularly case City Council. elections postal ballot every elect twelve councillors municipality. time, residents ratepayers compulsory. Voting commenced closed October; counting finalised reporting turnout 84.79 significantly (TEC took advantage TEC's invitation statement experience, papers, largely fought opposition ‘hot’ issues. plebiscite campus suburb Sandy CBD, cable car summit kunanyi/Mount Wellington, loss rental short stay holiday accommodation, increasing traffic problems. Elsewhere like fish farming, tourism. threw surprises, mayors longstanding losing positions, newcomers leadership roles success cross-party alliances mayor-deputy tickets (TASCAT) rejected appeal refuse Mt Wellington Cableway Company's South kunanyi/Mt pinnacle. company Supreme challenge decision. relief Residents Opposed Cable Car hoped rejection send clear message shareholders walk away project, warning opponents “go back drawing board” submit application MWCC again attempt address grounds defeat TASCAT. letter door open concept refine project design resubmit application. bypassing council approval councillors, undertook electors relocation university centre. instigated Save UTas Campus large meeting signatures 1,000 electors. undertaking media, television radio advertising plus rounds engagement promoting move, result overwhelmingly almost one. Of 30,428 cast, 25.62 74.38 Further, clearly move. They Marti Zucco, Louise Elliot, Bloomfield John Kelly. Nonetheless, questioned meaningless given Greater served six councils, let alone others Clarence, Glenorchy Kingborough, involved greater need better access campus. 41 resident Year 12 graduates enrolled 27 Clarence's Glenorchy's Open publishing facilitated Wiley - via Librarians.