Turnoff Thetelly
It is interesting to note that so few Tasmanian politicians claim to have any post-secondary education. Only 10 of the 25 House of Assembly members list their qualifications and even fewer, 3 of the 15 Legislative Councillors do so.
No doubt some have simply failed to ensure their qualifications are listed, but as they lament the failure of Tasmanian students to stay at school beyond Year 10, it would be encouraging if all politicians could lead the way and promote higher qualifications.
I would have more confidence in representatives with a good standard of education and a background of success in a variety of professions, businesses and jobs.
Poor education standards and skills could be a factor in the lack of vision shown by our elected representatives in Tasmania as they yearn to have something bigger than other states — a pulp mill! And I fear the ranks are over-represented by unions reps, teachers and lawyers, hence politicians have poor skills for keeping greedy corporations in check and being able to see through their sales pitch, as public assets are plundered and sustainable industries are put at risk.
We definitely need a mechanism to rein in the power-trip of ill-equipped Tasmanian politicians — Citizens Initiated Referendum would return power to the people, who invariably display more common sense than politicians.
House of Assembly (10 from 25)
Bartlett, The Honourable David John, Bsc,G.Dip. Bus -Denison -ALP
Butler, Heather Rose,FAICD, BSW, BA -Lyons -ALP
Hodgman, The Honourable William Edward Felix (Will)l, LLB, BA -Franklin -LP
Hodgman, The Honourable William Michael,QC -Denison -LP
Kons, The Honourable Steven,LLB -Braddon –ALP
Napier, The Honourable Suzanne Deidre (Sue), MA (Leeds), BA (Hons), Dip PE -Bass -LP
O’Byrne, Michelle Anne, BA -Bass -ALP
Putt, Margaret Ann (Peg),BA (Hons)-Denison -Greens
Rockliff,Jeremy, Dip Farm Mgmt -Braddon -LP
Singh, Lisa Maria, BA (Hons) -Denison -ALP
Best, Brenton Roy, -Braddon -ALP
Booth, Kim Dion, -Bass -Greens
Cox, The Honourable James Glennister, -Bass -ALP
Giddings, The Honourable Larissa Tahireh (Lara) -Franklin -ALP
Green, Bryan Alexander, -Braddon -ALP
Gutwein, Peter Carl, -Bass -LP
Hidding, Marinus Theodoor(Rene), -Lyons -LP
Lennon, The Honourable Paul Anthony, -Franklin -ALP
Llewellyn, The Honourable David Edward, -Lyons -ALP
McKim,Nicholas James (Nick) -Franklin -Greens
Morris, Timothy Bryce (Tim) -Lyons -Greens
Polley, The Honourable Michael Robert, -Lyons -ALP
Sturges, Graeme Lindsay, -Denison -ALP
Whiteley, Brett, -Braddon -LP
Wriedt, The Honourable Paula Catherine, -Franklin -ALP
Legislative Council (3 from 15)
Parkinson, The Honourable Douglas John B.Ec (Hons.), LL.B. -Wellington -ALP
Thorp, Ms Lin Estelle B.A., Dip. Ed., Grad. Dip. Spec. Ed. -Rumney -ALP
Wing, The Honourable Donald George LL.B -Paterson -Ind.
Aird, The Honourable Michael Anthony -Derwent -ALP
Dean, Mr Ivan Noel -Windermere -Ind.
Finch , The Honourable Kerry -Rosevears -Ind .
Forrest, The Honourable Ruth Jane -Murchison -Ind.
Hall, The Honourable Gregory Raymond -Rowallan -Ind.
Harriss, The Honourable Andrew Paul -Huon -Ind.
Jamieson, Mrs Norma Mary -Mersey -Ind.
Martin, The Honourable Terence Lewis -Elwick -Ind.
Rattray-Wagner, The Honourable Tania Verene -Apsley -Ind.
Ritchie, The Honourable Allison Maree -Pembroke -ALP
Smith, The Honourable Susan Lynette -Montgomery -Ind.
Wilkinson, The Honourable James Scott -Nelson -Ind.
