Securing the Peace, Welfare and Good Government
Minster Ellis is correct in calling out the anti-everything, woke brigade for what it is. Not only the 5000 or so forest protestors marching through our streets but now we can add to the list well respected economist Nicholas Gruen and the State Planning Commission who are against our beloved stadium. Nicholas has the audacity to declare our cathedral of football ‘can’t be done on time, it can’t be done on budget,” Sacrilege! As for the Salamanca, latte sipping, members of the Planning Commission articulating that our footy mecca will be ’disproportionate to Hobart’s small scale’ I am utterly speechless with indignation. Don’t these self-appointed critiques realise that footy transcends their trivial concerns about cost blow outs, city scape and all the other nonsense they bring up. The glorious stadium should dominate the city just as cathedral spires once did in times gone by.
Which raises an interesting dilemma: Those who are principally opposed to the stadium are presenting logical, rational arguments about state dept, traffic, how it will dominate the city and so on. On the other hand, football may be regarded as a quasi-religion based on emotion and the thrills and spills associated with dedication to the Devils football team setting the tone for their case. The implication is that each side is coming from irreconcilable values and beliefs and hence finding it hard to understand or see the others point of view. Which is perfectly healthy in a robust democracy where there is an expectation that the government and opposition (if we had one) of the day will do their job in taking an objective, impartial perspective and make decisions for both the present and future generations of the state.
The problem is it appears they have succumbed to the zeal of the football congregation and even use sporting analogy such as ‘game-changing’ and the report ‘underplays’ the immense values of the stadium.
Under such circumstances it has to asked whether the current government is failing in its primary duty to uphold the current state’s Constitution Act 1934 which is responsible ‘for the purpose of securing the peace, welfare and good government’? Perhaps grounds for a High Court challenge?
– Dr Ian Broinowski, Battery Point
Citizen proactivity is vital
We write with profound concern for democracy with integrity and effectiveness in Tasmania.
With families living in tents and cars in winter, and all we are talking about is politicians or bureaucrats vanity projects. Bridges, stadiums or dubious engineering projects of questionable economic certainty.
Conversely adequate housing, healthcare and education all show sound positive economic returns.
The current practice of parties electing charismatic sock puppets to dance to choreography of unseen vested interests, makes a mockery of representative democracy.
Community-supported independents have shown representation of integrity is possible and effective in deep reform, such as the National Crime and Corruption Commission.
However it is up to the same community to getup candidates and do the hard yards that success requires.
We can help those wishing to make a difference, now is their opportunity.
– Duncan Mills, Voices of Tasmania Community Connections
Open Letter to Tasmanian Parliamentarians
The now well-known plight of permanent residents in several caravan and tourist parks here in Tasmania. Their plight reached National prominence as a result of the treatment of residents at the Beauty Point Tourist Park.
The recent Supreme Court case found in favour of a resident who had been issued with an eviction notice by Park Management. In recognition of similar injustices in parks across Tasmania a citizen group, spearheaded by Marian Fletcher and supported by the Tasmanian Greens, raised a Petition demanding legislation to protect permanent residents and park owners
The Petition, which was signed by over 2000 fellow Tasmanian called for legislation that would see Tasmania on a par with other states.
However, the development and implementation of the new legislation will take time and the Tasmanian government has flagged legislation passing as late as 2027, meanwhile evictions and unfair treatment may well continue despite ongoing legal challenges by residents.
There is clearly urgency and action is needed now. As an interim remedy a Regulation can be placed in the present Tenancy Act.
This would require little effort and would take place quickly. We urge action on the interim Regulation as a matter of urgency. That way we will all demonstrate that we really are the caring compassionate community we say we are.
– Dr Philip J. Tattersall, Beauty Point
Editor’s note: Cecily Rosol Greens MHA for Bass issued a media release 12 June 2025 (see below) in relation to the Beauty Point Tourist Park. She refers to comments made by the Liberals about the caravan park tenancy issue. We asked the Minister to clarify:
Minister for Housing, Planning and Consumer Affairs, Felix Ellis:
“Our Government has already committed to drafting legislation to provide important protections for residents while also ensuring that operators can continue to provide the parks and services that so many Tasmanians and visitors enjoy across the state.
“Importantly, some provisions of the Bill will apply retrospectively, to provide certainty and clarity to current residents and operators.”
Media release – Cecily Rosol Greens MHA for Bass, 12 June 2025
Labor Must Commit to Protections for Long-Term Caravan Park Residents
The Greens welcome news that the Liberals, if re-elected, will legislate to provide protections for long-term residents of caravan parks. We call on Labor to make the same commitment.
It’s absurd that Lutruwita / Tasmania is the only state without protections for long-stay residents in caravan parks. At Beauty Point Tourist Park, it’s led to residents being evicted for no reason with less than a month’s notice.
Residents have been left in an unfair situation, where they’re vulnerable to exploitation and eviction with little notice. This has been distressing for residents, many of whom are elderly and unwell.
Only last week, another resident was evicted. It’s just not acceptable – a safe and affordable home is a human right. It’s why nearly three thousand people signed a petition calling for better protections for long-term residents of tourist parks, which I tabled in Parliament earlier this year.
We welcomed the Supreme Court decision affirming that a resident from Beauty Point Tourist Park was unfairly evicted, and that the need for legislative protection for long-term residents of tourist parks was needed.
It’s good to hear the Liberals have finally committed to protecting long term-residents of caravan parks. It’s time for Labor to do the same.
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