Poker machine industry complains about due process on stadium project
Ironic, isn’t it? Federal Group is now talking about respecting existing laws and processes when it comes to the proposed stadium vote in Parliament. I’m glad the company is raising issues of due process and fairness — even if its motives are unclear. But if Federal...
Hopeless State Labor forgets Albanese’s funding York Park
More seating, improved safety - that’s the result of the $130 million upgrades at UTAS stadium following funding from both Tasmanian and Australian Governments. Tasmanian Labor seem to have forgotten their own federal colleagues are jointly funding the UTAS stadium...
Record high retail trade in Tasmania fuels business confidence
Tasmania’s retail sector continues to surge, with monthly retail trade hitting a new record of $743.6 million in March 2025 — the highest ever recorded in the State. In the 12 months to March 2025, retail trade reached $8.75 billion, marking another record and...
Five Days of ANZAC – Day 5, Friday
Today we honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in wars, conflicts, and peace operations on Anzac Day. Through the week I have written about 1) Rosemary to remember 2) the Australian-New Zealand bond of family 3) the handling of the Vietnam War and 4)...
Five Days of ANZAC – Day 4, Thursday
As we Australians get ready to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in wars, conflicts, and peace operations on Anzac Day, I am sharing a different perspective each day to help prepare ourselves for the day itself, 25 April. Each instalment will also...
Five Days of ANZAC – Day 3, Wednesday
As we Australians get ready to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in wars, conflicts, and peace operations on Anzac Day, I am sharing a different perspective each day to help prepare ourselves for the day itself, 25 April. Each instalment will also...
Five Days of ANZAC – Day 2, Tuesday
As we Australians get ready to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in wars, conflicts, and peace operations on Anzac Day, I am sharing a different perspective with you each day to help us be prepared for the day itself, 25 April. Each instalment will...
Five Days of ANZAC – Day 1, Monday
As we Australians get ready to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served in wars, conflicts, and peace operations on Anzac Day, I am sharing a different perspective with you each day to help us be prepared for the day itself, 25 April. Each instalment will...
Launceston Running Festival lands elite status
Around 4000 runners from across Australia and the world are set to pound the pavement during the newly crowned ‘Elite Label’ Launceston Running Festival. The festival recently secured the prestigious World Athletics Elite Label. It’s now the first, and only, half...
Labor argue against funding for Tasmanian Infrastructure
The Leader of the Opposition has voted for less funding for Tasmanian infrastructure. The Tasmanian Government has called for an 80:20 split for infrastructure investment, while State Labor has argued for a 50:50 split. This means the Leader of the Opposition would...
Preferred site selected for new Legana Ambulance Station
The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s brand new, state-of-the-art Legana Ambulance Station is another step closer. A preferred site at Lot 23 Legana Park Drive, Legana, has been selected for the new station. Through our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, planning is...
Brand-new Legana Primary School opens for our students!
Students, families and the community have celebrated the official opening of Tasmania’s newest primary school. Legana Primary School opened its doors to students on the first day of Term 1 and currently has 132 students enrolled. With its state-of-the-art classrooms,...
Request for West Tamar Highway speed limit reduction
Recently, the West Tamar Council passed a motion to request a lowering of the speed limit for the highway between Riverside and Acropolis Drive from 100km/hr to 80 km/hr. To clarify, this is a highway within the state road network, not a council road. Under the law of...
Speech to Parliament: Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire hopes for peace
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) - Honourable Speaker, today, very welcome news has been received of a US brokered, 30-day ceasefire between Russia and the Ukraine. That has been accepted by the Ukraine, but not yet by Russia. I hope and pray that they do accept it, and so they...
Speech to Parliament: Support for Australia Day is up
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) - Honourable Speaker, I rise to reflect on Australia Day. I want to highlight what it means to be proud to be Australian, I am grateful to be Australian, but also the fantastic events held across my electorate of Bass. I also want to recognise the...
Address to Parliament: Economy, Budget, Pokies Reform, Spirits
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) - Deputy Speaker, I rise today to speak and commend the Premier on his annual address. In my contribution tonight, I will be discussing the very important initiatives that our Premier is leading for and on behalf of the government, and I hope for...
Dorset Council reinstatement and final report
Statement to the North Eastern Advertiser, Wednesday 29 January 2025: I confine my comments today to the suspension of the elected members of Dorset Council: the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors which has prevented them from performing the duties they were elected...
Responding to reports of a ceasefire in Israel
After the horrors of October 7, 2023, it was wonderful news today (at long last) to achieve a negotiated ceasefire in Israel to secure the release of the hostages. There has been such a tragic loss of innocent lives - on both sides of the conflict. The deliberate...
Pokies reforms puts power into players’ hands
Tasmania is at a political and moral crossroads. With the THA trying to stop our promised pokies reforms, the integrity and backbone of every MP is under pressure. I for one will not be buckling nor do I feel the need to. The parliament was totally unified in 2021...