March 2022
Tassie Corruption Body a Toothless Tiger: Research
New research has found the Integrity Commission Tasmania is one of the weakest anti-corruption bodies in Australia, with polling revealing nearly one in two Tasmanians distrust the current Commission’s ability to uncover and prevent misconduct in politics and public administration. The report reveals that Tasmania’s anti-corruption body is one of the lowest funded in Australia,
December 2021
Ban lies from political ads: Fake news erodes trust in politicians and democracy
An astonishing nine out of 10 Tasmanians want truth in political advertising laws and Eloise Carr explains that there is an opportunity now to legislate against all the lying and deception
October 2021
Tasmanian Government Must Go Further to Make Elections Fairer
The Tasmanian Government’s proposals to make political donations and election spending more transparent are a step in the right direction, but the new laws do not go far enough. The legislation still leaves Tasmania with the weakest regulation of third-party campaigners, such as industry lobby groups, of any state or territory in Australia. The proposed
September 2021
The importance of the crossbench with Senator Jacqui Lambie [webinar series]
The number of independent Members and Senators elected to Parliament has been steadily increasing and the crossbench plays an important role in shaping the future of Australia. independent Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie for an inside look at how it all works. Recorded live on 3 March 2021 as part of the Australia Institute webinar
August 2021
Corruption watchdog kept on a short leash
Almost half of Tasmanians surveyed (48.5%) distrust the Tasmanian Integrity Commission’s ability to uncover and prevent misconduct in public administration, according to Australia Institute research. Only 34% trust the Integrity Commission’s ability to uncover and prevent misconduct. Is it any wonder, given the inability of the Tasmanian Integrity Commission to hold the state government to
July 2021
One in Two Australians Support Moratorium on Expansion of Tasmania’s Salmon Farming Industry
New research from the Australia Institute Tasmania finds that one in two Australians support a moratorium on the expansion of the salmon farming industry in Tasmania, while only 15% oppose.
Tasmanian Distrust Tasmanian Integrity Commission Highlights Need for Reform
Nearly one in two Tasmanians (48.5%) distrust the Tasmanian Integrity Commission’s ability to uncover and prevent misconduct in public administration, including 19.6% who strongly distrust. Meanwhile 33.8% trust its ability, including just 6.6% who strongly trust. 17.7% were unsure.
April 2021
Polling: Majority of Tasmanians Want ‘Good Government’ Reforms
New research from the Australia Institute Tasmania finds most Tasmanians (87%) want Truth in Political Advertising laws, and a ban on political donations by the gambling industry (73.3%). Four in five (80.1%) Tasmanians agree the Tasmanian Integrity Commission should undergo structural change so its design is improved and its existing powers, including holding full inquiries with public hearings, are utilised.
Polling: Majority of Tasmanians Want Pause of Tasmanian Salmon Farm Expansion
New research from the Australia Institute Tasmania finds most Tasmanians (63%) want to suspend the expansion of salmon farms in Tasmania, expressing widespread (63.5%) concern that the health of Tasmania’s coastal waters is declining. More than one in two (56.3%) Tasmanians agree the Tasmanian Government is not doing enough to protect the health of our oceans.
Under pressure
Tasmania’s marine environment and coastal waters are spectacular, but they are under threat from climate change and other pressures like salmon farming. In this episode of Follow the Money we explore what Tasmania can do to better manage its coastal waters.
February 2021
Proposed Electoral Reforms Not Good Enough for Good Government
The Gutwein Government has released its report in response to its review into Tasmania’s Electoral Act and associated election laws. “The report and recommendations, while welcome, do not provide enough concrete commitments. The Government has sat on the review for too long to still have such vague plans. Paying lip-service to change does little to
November 2020
Former Supreme Court Judge and Legal Advocate Call for Much-Needed ‘Good Government’ Reforms in Tasmania
The Australia Institute has today published recommendations for much needed political reform in Tasmania. The report, Good Government in Tasmania advocates a co-ordinated approach to reform across Tasmanian Integrity Commission Truth in Political Advertising Election Donations Reform Right to Information The report is being co-launched by retired Victorian Supreme Court judge, The Hon David Harper AM QC,
October 2020
Tasmania’s lack of integrated coastal management putting our industries and environment at risk
New research shows Tasmania’s management of its spectacular marine environment needs urgent attention to ensure Tasmanians can continue to enjoy economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits into the future. The report, released today by The Australia Institute Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Independent Science Council, shows that an integrated approach to managing Tasmania’s coastal waters is
September 2020
Tasmanian Tax Reform Needs to be on the Agenda Now
The Australia Institute today released a report commissioned from economist Saul Eslake exploring tax reform possibilities for Tasmania as it emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and recession. The report proposes reforms in three areas of Tasmania’s state taxation system: Replacing stamp duties on the transfer of land (conveyance duty) with a broadly-based land tax, levied
August 2020
Tasmanians still missing out on revenue from fish farms
Results from Norway’s latest salmon auction again highlights the low price Tasmania is putting on its assets. This week, in Norway, a total of 30 Norwegian salmon farming companies purchased additional salmon licenses worth NOK 5.9 billion or AUD $921.2 million. The Norwegian Ministry of Trade Industries and Fishing stated that it had now sold
May 2020
Tasmanian Government the Most Generous for Immediate COVID-19 Emergency Relief
A new report from The Australia Institute has found the Tasmanian State Government has spent a far larger proportion of its Gross State Product (GSP) than any other Australian state. The new analysis collates publicly available data, with at least some traceability, on state responses to the COVID-19 induced economic emergency, between March 23rd and
Building Back Better: Criteria for Tasmania to Make the Most of COVID-19 Stimulus
The Australia Institute has released a new report looking at how key economic criteria can be used to assess the effectiveness of future stimulus measures in Tasmania. The report has been sent to all Members of the Tasmanian Parliament, some members of the Premier’s recovery taskforce, industry and community leaders and unions. “As stimulus money
April 2020
Broad Alliance of Tasmanian Organisations Call for Establishment of NZ-Style Multi-Partisan COVID-19 Parliamentary Oversight Committee
A prominent group of Tasmanian individuals and organisations have today called for the establishment of a multi-party parliamentary oversight committee to ensure adequate scrutiny of the COVID-19 response while the Tasmanian Parliament is not sitting. Such a body has already been established in New Zealand to help fill the accountability gap. Known as the Epidemic
March 2020
Tasmanian Hydrogen Plan: Good for Tasmania and Good for the Planet
The Australia Institute welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s announcement to invest into the hydrogen industry. ‘Green’ hydrogen is produced by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen through a process of electrolysis. “Hydrogen has been touted as a renewable energy source, but that is only true if the energy used to create it in the first
February 2020
Bushfire Response: International Experts Open Letter Call for Native Logging Ban
An open letter signed by Australian and international forestry and climate experts, published by the Australia Institute today, has called for the immediate nationwide cessation of all native forest logging in response to the climate, fire, drought and biodiversity loss crises currently facing Australia. The letter, signed by scientists from countries including Australia, USA, Canada, New
January 2020
New Tasmanian Leader an Opportunity to Change Direction on Privatisation, Transparency
The Australia Institute wishes Premier Will Hodgman, one of Tasmania’s most popular premiers, all the best for his future endeavours. The Premier can be proud of many of his achievements, particularly leading the government into a pro-renewable energy stance. Will Hodgman’s retirement will present both a challenge and opportunity for the Tasmanian Government, The Australia
October 2019
Voters still back a Takanya/Tarkine national park over logging
A Ucomms poll commissioned by the Australia Institute of 1,136 residents across Tasmania on the evening of 22nd October, found almost two thirds of Tasmanians want to see takayna/Tarkine protected rather than logged. Despite state government plans to log old growth and rainforest in takanya/Tarkine, support for preserving the forests in a national park remains
Midlands coal, the wrong project in the wrong market at the wrong time
Several market and physical challenges exist for a new proposed coal development in Tasmania’s southern midlands, according to a new briefing paper released by the Australia Institute Tasmania today. The company seeking to develop the project, Midland Energy, is looking to raise capital in the U.S.A. where it is claiming coal demand is “rampant” in Asia
August 2019
Fire and Forestry: How Intact Forests Can Work As Buffer to Bushfires
“More than any other state, Tasmanians live in and on the edges of the bush,” said Leanne Minshull, Director of the Australia Institute Tasmania. “As the severity of fires increase, so does the impact on our homes, our communities and our economy, we need to look at this problem holistically to have any chance of
July 2019
Tasmanians missing out on revenue from fish farms
The Tasmanian government may have forgone millions of dollars in potential revenue from the rapid growth in the fish farming industry according to a new report from The Australia Institute. Key Findings: Annual lease and licence fees paid by the salmon industry to the State Government, represented 0.1% of the total farm-gate production of the
June 2019
WTF2050 Episode 13 – Andrew McPhail – Independent Film Producer
Andrew introduces us to the term ‘weightless exports’ – think digital services and games rather than wood or food. Inspired Leanne and Anna sat down with Paris Buttfield-Addison, cofounder of Hobart based Secret Lab – Secret Lab builds video games and mobile apps, and teaches game and app development through books and online training. Secret
WTF2050 Episode 12 – Frank Cuypers – Destination Think
Prof. Frank Cuypers is a marketing and tourism academic brought to the island by Tourism Tasmania to share his thoughts on the future of tourism. He talks about the strength of our clean and green Tasmanian brand and the global hunger for authentic experienced based Tourism. Also in the episode an interview with Charles Munn,
WTF2050 Episode 11 – Louise Morris – Insect Farmer, Rebel Foods, Derby Tasmania
Louise’s insects are on the standing menu at MONA Faros restaurant, as featured on many fine menu’s across Tasmania. Her Protein Plus Nut Butter blends stocked at East Coast Village Providore (St Helens) and newly opened Derby Providore. In this episode Anna & Leanne discover organic insect farming from inside a shipping container on a
WTF2050 Episode 10 – Rosie Martin – Speech Pathologist, Criminologist And Tasmanian Of The Year 2017
Rosie Martin – speech pathologist, criminologist and Tasmanian of The Year 2017, starred in our first series of WTF2050 where shared her big idea – no prison (as we know them in 2050), to emphasize rehabilitation not punishment. To expand on the theme we spent a morning at Risdon Prison with inmates taking part in
WTF2050 Episode 9 – Sally Warhaft – Broadcaster, Anthropologist And Host Of The Wheeler Centre’s Fifth Estate
As a close political watcher and mother of twins Sally has spent a lot of time thinking about how far #metoo has gotten us and she shares her bold idea for 2050, one that could transform the lives of little girls everywhere. Wheeler Centre
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