Media release – Kristie Johnston, 2 March 2025
My Response In Full to Mercury Questions
My approach is to consider every issue on its merits and make decisions based on these three principles:
- Transparent and accountable Government
- A high degree of integrity within Parliament and its processes, and
- Decisions that will promote the interests of Tasmania and improve the lives of Tasmanians.
Various actions of this Government breach these principles.
The Government’s cavalier response to the Eslake Report was a serious failing.
Likewise, it’s dismissal of the Gruen Report on the stadium.
And yesterday’s news the Government has abandoned a review of the Integrity Commission, something I have long called for, is yet another sign that this Government is allergic to scrutiny and treats the Tasmanian Parliament and the Tasmanian community with arrogant contempt.
The Rockliff Government’s brazen cave-in to gambling interests on the introduction of the pokies player card, its science-defying backing of the salmon industry, and its anti-democratic support for large developers over local communities on planning decisions are other examples where the interests of Tasmanians are given the back seat by this Government.
This Government does not have my confidence and I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Premier to discuss my concerns and to hear whether he intends to change the way he is governing so I, the Tasmanian Parliament and the Tasmanian people can be sure he is governing in their interests.
Whilst I have no confidence in this Government, I likewise have no confidence that the Labor Opposition can do any better.
Their response on the stadium, the Eslake Report, the backing of the salmon industry and various other positions they have sided with the government show me they are no different.
Tasmanians deserve better.
Editor’s note: The Mercury is a regional newspaper.
Leah
March 3, 2025 at 10:13
I’m with Kristie. Thanks for standing up and calling it out.
Ian Sale
March 3, 2025 at 12:47
And what is Labor’s response? They accuse Ms Johnston of trying to blow up the government!
Surely this is evidence that Labor and Liberal are united at the hip with scarcely any differences in policy and attitudes.
phill Parsons
March 3, 2025 at 18:39
An election is the usual way to test if the electorate approves of a government’s behavior.
Chief Editor TT
March 3, 2025 at 19:19
Let’s just say that I was at Parliament House last week talking to a few people and there is more than a hint of a Tasmanian state election before the middle of next year, and possibly much sooner.