ALWAYS INDEPENDENT FOR BASS

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I am standing for the state election to bring big ideas to the table. I support a strong and well funded public health and education system. I want politicians to work together to solve the issues Tasmania face: homelessness, the cost of living, electricity costs, state debt and environmental concerns.

15 months ago, during the state election in 2024, I raised the issue of a rising budget deficit as one of the big concerns for Tasmania. The situation has only got worse with debt now ballooning, and a desperate Liberal minority government intending to borrow even more money. The ferries debacle and the stadium saga have highlighted the mismanagement across all of government, that is only set to become worse if a stadium is built.

It is time for more independents to stand up for Tasmania’s future. Political parties continue to show that they will put point scoring and political games in front of long term goals and building a shared vision for Tasmania’s future.

Bass is the natural home of AFL in Tasmania. We have been hosting games for 25 years, including finals, and we are geographically central to the football loving population. Don’t let the AFL blackmail an entire state: Tasmaniame should decide the future of footy, not corporations.

While we have a budget black hole, Tasmania cannot afford the huge demands put upon it by the AFL. Money is needed across so many essential and social services, health, schooling, housing and emergency responders. While the government has pondered privatisation, this Will only lead to increased costs for Tasmanians.

Tasmania already has a stadium. Bass is the natural home of AFL in Tasmania. We have been hosting games for 25 years, including finals, and we are geographically central to the football loving population. Don’t let the AFL blackmail an entire state: Tasmaniame should decide the future of footy, not corporations.

Over 100 years ago Tasmania built trams and trains, and maintained a passenger rail network. Rail Networks around the world are efficient, enjoyable modes of transport, but while the government spends billions of dollars maintaining our road network, they will not invest in even the most obvious opportunities for light rail.

The light rail proposal for Hobart’s Northern Suburbs is a great place to start. With the corridor still available, and the concentrated population growing, it is time for Tasmania to make big improvements to our public transport options. With the growth of alternative transport devices such as e-bikes and scooters, there are many opportunities for interconnectivity.

Considering our rail network has been maintained and upgraded for freight, there would be further opportunities to connect the state with fast, reliable diesel electric passenger trains between major centres. And when we do have a footy team, how good would it be to be able to catch a train from out of town , right to the gates of York park?

 Our leaders must always work towards a more liveable and equitable Tasmania. Sometimes that requires long term planning and vision for a shared future. 

We all know the kanamaluka/Tamar River has been poorly treated, and we have ourselves to blame: water flow reduction, pollution, and upstream sediment issues. Allowing nature to return it to equilibrium means ensuring increased water flow through the yacht basin and restoring tidal flats. While Taswater are working through our combined sewage/stormwater system and improving treatment, and sediment reduction is beginning to happen upstream, there is much to do if we are to see long lasting improvements

The state government has recognised a key recommendation from the 10-year vision for the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary: that restoring tidal water flow will have a positive effect on the river's ability to flush itself. A greater 'tidal prism' equals more water to carry silt away each tide.

The real problem arises when fresh water meets salt, as the process of 'flocculation' occurs, and sediment is released from suspension. A novel idea to address this is to return the water from the tailrace in Riverside, via a tunnel and canal, back to the yacht basin adjacent to the West Tamar Bridge. This would mean a greater volume of water again flowing through the yacht basin, and in turn moving the flocculation point further downstream. Of course, this would be no mean feat, and require state and federal support, but if the modelling is shown to be correct, this one project would return the upper reaches of the kanamaluka/Tamar to the closest it has been to its natural state since Trevallyn Dam was built in the 1960s.

Tasmania needs a long term energy plan that is built upon community consultation and expert advice. I propose a statewide energy forum to set a new standard in how we organise OUR energy system. We have a proud history of publicly owned hydro electricity, but we are in the process of losing our control over energy generation ownership and prices to multinational interests and mainland demand... all paid for by Tasmanian households. Affordable, stable energy supply for Tasmanians can be legislated so that  our energy future is guaranteed.

While governments have promised housing solutions for years, we have seen affordability and availability decrease year upon year. I have seen first hand where good ideas and great champions of the homeless have been unsupported while developers are given government assistance. There are innovative and dynamic solutions that require government to step outside the market/private developer model, and create new cooperative communities at the same time. This requires a change of thinking that the big parties, with their established connection find impossible to contemplate. But this market intervention is the only thing that will bring housing availability and affordability to Tasmania. I would support a government led housing initiative that would embrace people over profit, that would allow communities to assist, and would deliver roofs in the hundreds. You don’t have to look far to see solutions elsewhere: have a look at Nightingale Housing in Melbourne, or the myriad of tiny home builders that struggle to get approval or government support.

We know our health system is broken, and again, new models can bring new solutions. While the federal government has been supporting urgent care clinics, the state has allowed our hospitals to become underfunded and our nurses and doctors overworked. Preventative health measures, community clinics, and supporting active lifestyle programs can all be of huge assistance in reducing pressure on an already overloaded system. We must attract and retain the specialists and have the infrastructure to support all Tasmanians who need it. Health and education is the wealth of every state, and without building a strong health community, we will never solve our health crisi.