These media releases over the past fortnight, primarily from the Greens and Labor, paint a picture of a government facing significant political pressure. The central issue continues to be the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, which is criticised by the Greens and other independents for its escalating costs, potential for budget blowout and a perceived disregard for essential services like healthcare, housing and education. They argue the stadium will be paid for by asset sales or cuts to public services, despite the Premier ruling this out. The Greens also highlight other government failures, including inadequate waste management and a rushed approval process for an antibiotic in the salmon industry.
The Labor party, while supporting the stadium as necessary for jobs and the AFL team, expresses deep distrust in the government’s ability to manage the project. They have proposed a parliamentary committee to ensure transparency and accountability on its delivery and budget. Labor also focuses on other critical issues, such as the imminent closure of the Hobart Clinic, which will exacerbate the strain on the already “at breaking point” mental health system and the industrial action by school support staff due to a nearly three-decade-long resource freeze.
Unions representing school support staff and correctional officers are taking industrial action and issuing warnings, respectively, over decades of government neglect that has led to under-resourcing in schools and critical safety failures in prisons.
The government’s perspective includes a statement from the Health Minister on the Hobart Clinic closure, which argues that the public system has sufficient capacity to absorb the displaced patients. The Minister for Primary Industries also releases a statement on a potato virus, emphasising the government’s support for the industry. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) provides a positive perspective, welcoming a change in student visa policy.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader, 23 September 2025
Honesty Needed on Stadium Payoff
Under Greens’ questioning in Parliament today, the Premier ruled out either raising taxes or cutting public services to pay for the stadium’s significant annual debt.
It’s not clear what money-tree the Liberals have access to. Unless there is one, the Premier should be honest about what asset sales and public service cuts his government will be making to pay for the stadium.
The stadium will add $2 billion to Tasmania’s debt over a decade. According to the TPC, Tasmanians would end up being taxed some $50 million a year for the next thirty years, or have services cut, to pay off this debt.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission’s assessment was blindingly clear – the stadium should not be built because it would cause a fall in the collective welfare of Tasmanians. This is largely due to the enormous debt, and loss of essential services that would occur to pay it off.
The government’s healthcare, housing and education services are already overstretched and unable to meet the needs of Tasmanians. The Premier’s plan for at least 2500 public sector cuts will have a devastating impact. Meanwhile, the stadium’s costs are likely to go up substantially before being built.
The Premier needs to be honest with members of Parliament before the stadium order is considered in November. What government services and assets are on the chopping block to pay for the stadium?
Media release – Helen Burnet MHA, Greens Waste spokesperson, 23 September 2025
Waste Management Failures Highlights Liberals Warped Priorities
Tasmania’s Auditor-General has tabled a scathing report, finding Tasmania’s waste management governance and regulatory oversight of landfills is inadequate, increasing exposure risks to the Tasmanian community and environment.
This is a damning indictment on the priorities of this Liberal government. With a singular focus on building a stadium Tasmania doesn’t want or need, essential services are not being met.
It is astounding that in 2025, despite diversionary efforts, half of Tasmania’s waste is ending up in landfill.
The Auditor-General also found there is no coordinated oversight for management, monitoring and that when problems were identified that placed risks to human health or the environment, the EPA failed in its enforcement powers and councils were slow to act.
But this issue runs far deeper than placing blame on councils and regulators, the Environment Minister should be urgently working on updating the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act (EMPCA) to empower the EPA and local governments to regulate landfills properly.
This lack of regulatory oversight and governance is indicative of a government that has lost control of the basics, at the expense of Tasmania’s air and water quality and our communities.
The Greens support the Auditor-General’s recommendations for stronger enforcement through the EPA, a statewide strategy, improved date collection, regulatory oversight and improving practices.
Will the Rockliff government avert their eyes from Macquarie Point and implement these recommendations to clean up Tasmania’s waste management systems and responsibilities?
Media release – Vica Bayley MHA, Greens Member for Clark, 19 September 2025
More Stadium Budget Blowouts Coming
The stadium has already had four budget blowouts and the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s report makes clear if the stadium is to be built, there will be more.
Following release of the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s report, the Premier revealed the stadium itself has had a fourth budget blowout, with the cost now estimated at more than a billion dollars.
But if this project is to go ahead, the cost blowouts won’t stop there. The Tasmanian Planning Commission has identified a number of additional costs which will be necessary for the stadium to operate.
There’s the cost of treating stormwater to make sure it doesn’t impact the surrounding environment – something which even the proponent identified as requiring ‘high capital expenditure’.
Additional onsite remediation also needs to occur to ensure Tasmanians aren’t exposed to contaminants.
Investment needs to be made to ensure pedestrian movement is safe – like widening footpaths and removing trip hazards. There are also modifications needed on the roof so cricket can be played in the stadium. No one knows what the full extent of the modifications needed – not even Cricket Tasmania who’s been working with the proponent for months.
That’s not to mention the additional costs of transforming our transport system to prevent gridlock in Hobart and surrounding suburbs when events are on at the stadium. This is on top of the additional costs already revealed but not budgeted for the relocation of the Goods Shed.
The only additional costing we have the actual dollar amount for is to address noise issue for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra – to the tune of $4.5 million. But we know there’s going to be millions more cost blowouts on the horizon for this disastrous development.
In addition to uncosted and omitted elements, The Planning Commission explicitly states that the Government’s stadium cost estimates are ‘optimistic’ and ‘there is a significant risk, much higher than estimates’.
Continuing budget blowouts are going to add to the dire situation of accumulating state debt. The Planning Commission highlights the challenge of servicing and paying off this debt, flagging increased taxes or cuts to services. With the Premier ruling out taxes and health and housing services Tasmanians already underfunded and failing to meet Tasmanian’s needs, we simply can’t afford a stadium.
The unequivocal recommendation that the stadium should not proceed should be everything the Premier, Labor and all independent members of Parliament need to reject this stadium and support renegotiation of the entry of Tasmania’s teams into the national football competition.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader, 19 September 2025
Big Salmon Putting Profits Before People And The Environment
A new vaccine that can combat the bacteria that has wreaked havoc in Tasmanian waterways and killed millions of salmon, is further evidence approval of a harmful new antibiotic Florfenicol is not required.
The government has submitted a fast-track application to the APVMA to approve Florfenicol, arguing there is an “emergency” to justify this extreme action.
However, Huon Aquaculture CEO today again denied there has been any disease emergency in recent months. This is directly counter to claims Government at a briefing on 15 August.
The announcement today of a new effective vaccine to inoculate salmon is a further reason that an emergency permit to use the unregulated and untested antibiotic Florfenicol is totally unnecessary.
World’s best practice would put the marine environment before company profits when responding to disease outbreak. This means destocking sea cages with disease before any other intervention such as use of antibiotics.
Heavy use of antibiotics is widely recognised as a ticking time bomb for animal and human health globally via the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The Government, through the Chief Veterinary Officer, must immediately withdraw their support for the emergency permit application of Florfenicol and alter marine farming licenses to reduce the number of fish allowable in sea cages.
A fact sheet developed by Neighbours of Fish Farming can be found here.
Media release – Josh Willie MHA, Labor Leader, 23 September 2025
Proposed committee to scrutinise stadium delivery
Today, Labor has tabled a motion referring the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts to establish a scrutiny committee to hold the Government accountable for the delivery of the Macquarie Point Stadium project.
This committee would be similar to the committee that was established to scrutinise the delivery of the Spirits replacement project, and Labor has proposed the following Terms of Reference:
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- The adherence of the Tasmanian Government, Macquarie Point Development Corporation and other entities to all announced delivery schedules and budgets regarding the Macquarie Point Stadium project, should the project be approved by the Parliament.
- options to minimise delays and reduce additional expenses for taxpayers.
- the appropriateness of the project’s oversight and governance arrangements, and;
- any other matters incidental thereto.
Labor recognises the stadium is a necessary requirement to deliver the Tasmania Football Club and AFL and AFLW teams and ensure that they are successful both on and off the field. We have indicated support for the project’s approval because it will create desperately needed jobs and economic activity and give young people another reason to stay in Tasmania.
After the Spirits fiasco, cost blowouts at Devonport, and secret bailouts, Tasmanians don’t trust this government to manage big projects.
Should the stadium be approved by parliament, this proposed committee will keep a close eye on whether the project is staying on budget and on schedule, how to keep costs down and whether the oversight is up to scratch for such a large project.
I’ve said Labor is committed to holding the Government to account, and the Premier’s indication his Government will support the establishment of this committee is welcome.
If the Greens are serious about scrutinising this Government, which they are propping up, they should have no issue in supporting the motion either.
Media release – Sarah Lovell MLC, Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing & Ageing, 19 September 2025
Government must step in to save Hobart Clinic’s Rokeby site
The State Government must step in and intervene to ensure services can continue at the Hobart Clinic’s Rokeby site until a long-term solution can be found.
Tasmania’s health system is at breaking point and the state’s capacity to care for mental health patients is particularly dire.
Minister Archer’s claims that patients from the closing clinic can be absorbed into the public system are very difficult to believe and directly contradict the experience of many Tasmanians I’ve spoken with.
While there are some excellent mental health services in the public system, the available capacity is in no way adequate to meet current demand and hasn’t been for a long time.
After losing 31 beds for mental health patients at St Helen’s Private Hospital two years ago, Tasmania’s system simply won’t be able to cope with the loss of 27 more beds with the closure of the Hobart Clinic.
Health experts are worried that a lack of capacity in the health system following the Hobart Clinic’s closure could see people who are unable to access adequate care die.
That warning along should be enough for the Minister to realise that her Government must step in and intervene to ensure services can continue at the Hobart Clinic’s Rokeby site until a long-term solution can be found.
Media release – Sarah Lovell MLC, Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing & Ageing, 17 September 2025
Hobart Clinic closure adds pressure to overstretched health system
The closure of the Hobart Clinic will leave a dangerous gap for inpatient mental health services in Tasmania, at a time when there’s already not enough.
Hobart Clinic has been one of very few inpatient mental health facilities in the State, and news of its imminent closure will be deeply concerning for Tasmanians.
Minister Archer’s claims about the Government increasing capacity across the public health system will come as little comfort for those who continue to struggle to access mental health services. While there are some excellent mental health services in the public system, the available capacity is in no way adequate to meet current demand and hasn’t been for a long time.
In addition to patients who will struggle to find adequate support, the Minister is encouraging staff working at the Hobart Clinic to apply for openings within the health system, which appears to at odds with her Government’s hiring freeze. This decision will have shocked staff and left them with deep concerns about their future.
The Government needs do everything it can to ensure that the Hobart Clinic can remain open, and that Tasmanian mental health patients are able to receive the support and care they need.
Media release – Bridget Archer MHA, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 17 September 2025
Statement on The Hobart Clinic
The Tasmanian Government is aware The Hobart Clinic, a private provider, will close its Rokeby inpatient facility by 31 October 2025.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, expressed her disappointment at the decision and said it is another example of the failing viability of privately-run health facilities across the country.
“While this decision was made by The Hobart Clinic and its board, I want to reassure Tasmanians of our commitment to mental health services across Tasmania,” the Minister said.
“Importantly, we have significantly increased capacity across the public health system in recent years, including through The Peacock Centre, with plans for more mental health hubs, including in the Huon Valley and new mental health precincts in the North and North West.
“With this increase in capacity, we are confident that clients with needs that have previously been referred to The Hobart Clinic will be accommodated within the Tasmanian Health Service.
“The Department of Health will support The Hobart Clinic in their transition to cease services for both clients and staff and where employment opportunities arise within the THS, we would encourage staff affected by the upcoming closure of The Hobart Clinic to apply for positions within our health service.”
Media release – Andrew Wilkie, Federal independent Member for Clark, 19 September 2025
THE HUMAN FACE OF THE HOBART CLINIC CLOSURE
“For some 40 years The Hobart Clinic has been providing first-rate private mental health services to Tasmanians. Its closure next month will see the State lose 27 in-patient beds.
“Many patients fortunate enough to have private health insurance and the money to travel, will face the disruption of now going to the mainland for treatment. While those now relying on the public health system will have to join the queue somewhere or simply go without treatment.
“The closure of The Hobart Clinic reflects the parlous state of mental health care in Australia. It’s chronically under-funded and specialist staff shortages are commonplace, first and foremost because of decades of policy failure by governments at both national and state level.
“But this is as much a human story, as it is one about health policy and to help us understand it we should listen to people like Laura*.
“The Hobart Clinic turned her life around and its closure presents new hurdles.
“It’s simply not good enough for the Tasmanian Government’s response to be that the Clinic’s caseload can be absorbed by the public health system. That’s patently unbelievable. What it should instead be doing is negotiating with the owners of the Clinic and searching for some way to keep it open.
And it must immediately commit to a substantial funding boost for public mental health services. Anything less would be a complete disregard for the public interest.
*Laura Cini, who is a Hobart local and has been a patient at The Hobart Clinic for five years, joined Andrew Wilkie at this media event.
Media statement parliament lawns – Kristie Johnston MHA, Independent Member for Clark, 23 September 2025
Stadium costs? … Don’t worry. She’ll be right.
Near enough is good enough for the Premier when it comes knowing how much the stadium will cost to build.
It’s only 70 per cent designed and we’ve got no idea about cricket being played under some sort of unknown roof type structure.
But don’t worry, ‘she’ll be right’ according to the Premier who like a dodgy builder wants us trust his vibe about the project’s costs and benefits.
Today we saw the start of the government’s wriggle to avoid respecting the will of Parliament and make proper effort to discover the true costs of building the stadium.
It’s like signing a contract to build an investment property without knowing the contract price, if it’s three bedrooms or four, or even if your key tenant can move in.
No bank would responsibly lend on that basis and no investor would invest with such uncertainty. So why are we being forced into another dud deal?
Tasmanians know that’s no way to manage a household budget let alone an entire State’s budget.
I call on the Premier to be respect the motion, the legitimate concerns of Tasmanians, and at the very least follow basic principles of due diligence before it’s too late.
Media release – Gavin Pearce MHA, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, 20 September 2025
Moving to managing Potato Mop Top Virus
The Tasmanian Government has re-affirmed our position to work with Tasmania’s potato growers as we transition to managing Potato Mop Top Virus.
This comes following a meeting of the National Management Group (NMG) on Friday, where it was agreed by consensus that mop top is not eradicable in Tasmania.
Mop Top is present in a number of countries around the world and has not been eradicated anywhere it has previously been found.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Gavin Pearce, said importantly, experience shows that Mop Top can be successfully managed and the Tasmanian Government will continue to work with industry as we move forward.
“Good biosecurity practices and management of powdery scab are the keys to minimising further spread and impact of Mop Top in Tasmania,” Minister Pearce said.
“Tasmanians must remember to come clean, go clean by removing soil and plant material from machinery, equipment, and boots before leaving one property and entering another.
“Our Government recognises the importance of Tasmania’s potato industry, worth $379 million at the farm gate and will continue to work with growers and industry as we move forward.
“We are helping Tasmanians deal with the challenges they face, with compassion and commonsense.”
There are no food safety or human health risks associated with the virus and all potatoes remain safe to consume.
Extensive testing of seed potato lines has been completed ahead of the upcoming planting season, ensuring Tasmania’s potato growers can plant with confidence.
Media release – Community and Public Sector Union, 17 September 2025
Prison Intercom System Fails Again
Correctional Staff at the Launceston Reception Prison were left without working intercom between the Control Room and inmate accommodation between Saturday and Monday, prompting calls for the immediate relocation of inmates to other facilities.
Community and Public Sector Union Assistant Secretary Natalie Jones said this was not the first time the outdated system at Launceston Reception Prison had failed, putting corrections staff and inmates under significant risk, alongside detained children who are housed in the facility.
The CPSU understands that Directors Standing Orders require all prisoners and detainees to be housed in cells and areas with working intercom.
In a CPSU briefing paper presented to the Minister last year, the union called for immediate facilities upgrades to the prison.
“Asking your Corrections workforce to operate a prison without an emergency communication system is completely unacceptable” Jones said.
“Correctional Officers are already doing the best they can in an under-resourced and outdated environment, yet the Tasmanian Government continue to ignore their calls for critical upgrades,”
“With children being housed in Tasmanian reception prisons, we know that a broken intercom system comes with layers upon layers of risk,”
“Some of the equipment is so old it was used at the former Hayes Prison Farm before being repurposed for the Launceston Reception Prison, making it incredibly difficult to replace broken parts”.
Intercom outages at the Launceston Reception Prison have been known to last between 2-6 days at a time, with several occurring last year.
“The Tasmanian Government needs to prioritise the safety of these facilities and immediately start work on a complete system upgrade”.
Media release – United Workers Union, 17 September 2025
SCHOOL SUPPORT STAFF SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AFTER 28-YEAR RESOURCE FREEZE
They’re the first in, last out at our state’s schools every day, but today they’re rallying outside Parliament and Premier Rockliff’s office to highlight critical understaffing and resource constraints that have remained unchanged for nearly three decades.
The action involves school cleaners, grounds staff and kitchen assistants who maintain the daily operations that keep Tasmania’s schools safe, clean and functional for students and staff.
The importance of the work of Education Facilities Attendants (EFAs) is witnessed by major schools across Tasmania closing their doors because of an inability to maintain safety and services for students during the notified stop-work action.
Since 1997, demands on EFAs have dramatically increased while staffing levels remain frozen. Kitchen staff now prepare for up to 36 cooking classes per week – more than triple the 10 classes managed in 1997 – using the same staffing hours allocated nearly 30 years ago.
“Our schools have completely transformed since 1997, with new facilities, expanded programs and modern educational approaches, but investment in the people who make it all possible has been forgotten,” said John Webb, an EFA based in Bothwell.
“Members are rallying today to call for the immediate investment in EFA roles to match the reality of modern school operations and ensure student safety and educational standards can be maintained,” said Amy Brumby, Tasmania Coordinator, United Workers Union.
“After 28 years of no investment in these essential roles, our EFAs are saying enough is enough. Schools cannot operate without them, and they deserve resources that reflect their vital contribution to education.”
Media release – Josh Willie MHA, Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years, 16 September 2025
Tasmanians paying the price for budget mismanagement
Tomorrow’s Education Facility Attendant industrial action – which looks set to see multiple schools across Tasmania close – is the latest symptom of a decade of Government budget mismanagement and public sector neglect.
As a former school teacher, I know only too well just how critical our hardworking school cleaners, grounds people and kitchen assistants are in ensuring schools are clean and safe for student learning.
Education Facility Attendants workers deserve respect and recognition through fair conditions and resourcing.
It’s hugely disappointing that the Liberal Government, propped up by the Greens, is ignoring them and not valuing the work they do – risking school closures in the process.
These stalled employment negotiations are emblematic of a Government that’s not able to invest properly in essential services and the hard working people who provide them. Sadly, we’re seeing the same scenario play out in many other workforces, including firefighters, hospital cleaners and nurses.
Treasurer Eric Abetz’ track record when it comes to supporting workers speaks for itself.
With the Treasurer indicating there are even more budget cuts on the horizon, I’m extremely concerned he will continue to leave EFAs without the resourcing and support they need, with Tasmanian workers and students left paying the price for a decade of budget mismanagement.
Supporting Tasmanian workers is in Labor’s DNA and we will continue to back them in.
Media release – Josh Willie MHA, Labor Leader, 15 September 2025
Labor supports stadium – Government must lift its game
With the Tasmanian Planning Commission set to deliver its final report on the Macquarie Point stadium this week, Premier Rockliff must lift his game and address any challenges raised in the report.
Tasmanians have been fighting to realise the dream of having our own AFL teams for decades.
Labor supports the Macquarie Point Stadium because it will deliver jobs, grow our economy, give young people another reason to stay in Tasmania, and deliver the AFL and AFLW teams we deserve, and set them up for success. We want to see it built.
It will not be clear until Wednesday what the Planning Commission’s report is going to say.
It is critical that Premier Rockliff works through any potential challenges with the project and takes Tasmanians on the journey.
We recognise that this project has been divisive in the community, which is down to how Premier Rockliff has handled it from day one. He’s mismanaged the process, kept Tasmanians in the dark, fuelled mistrust and broken his signature $375 million and “not a red cent more” promise.
Labor will hold the government accountable for their delivery of this project every step of the way – just like we have done with the Spirits replacement project.
This is a once-in-a-generation project for Tasmania. Tasmanians deserve transparency, respect, and leadership.
Media release – Janie Finlay MP, Deputy Labor Leader, 14 September 2025
Liberals and Greens in lockstep – Labor is focused on Tasmanians
Last week further proved that Tasmanians have a Liberal-Green Government.
The Liberals had an opportunity to signal their support to Tasmanians by voting to protect Tasmanian jobs and industries, but they teamed up with the Greens to vote against it.
At every turn, the Liberals and the Greens are in lockstep. They have a 100 per cent voting record together since the election.
While the Liberals and the Greens propped each other up last week, Labor fought for Tasmanians on issues they care about.
Tasmanians care about jobs, the economy, the future of the state for their kids and being able to access critical services like childcare, health and education. Labor asked the questions Tasmanians are demanding answers on from the Government and we stood with workers fighting for better pay.
We demanded accountability for the backroom deals that sold out workers and communities in exchange for power, on behalf of the Tasmanians who have had their lives turned upside down.
We scrutinised the Premier’s signature TasInsure policy. Rising insurance costs are a serious issue affecting Tasmanians, but they need serious solutions – not false hope and baseless claims and a huge risk to the state’s financial position.
The services Tasmanians rely on like health and education shouldn’t be impacted because the Government can’t manage money. That’s why Labor will continue to hold Eric Abetz and the Liberals to account for their budget mismanagement and find out what other promises are on the chopping block.
Tasmanian Labor will continue to hold this Liberal Green Government to account and spend every day fighting for Tasmanians and the issues they care about.
Media release – Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 13 September 2025
TCCI welcomes international student visa change
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to extend post-study work rights for international graduates of the University of Tasmania who live in Hobart.
TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said the change was a win for the state’s economy and for Tasmanian businesses struggling to fill critical workforce shortages.
“This decision is about fairness for Tasmania and opportunity for our future,” Bailey said.
“International students already play a vital role in our community, working in our hospitals, aged care facilities, hospitality venues, engineering firms and across essential services. Giving them the ability to stay longer strengthens our workforce pipeline and helps businesses grow.”
Bailey said the extension of graduate visas in southern Tasmania would support the University of Tasmania’s ability to compete with other regions and ensure Tasmania continues to attract and retain skilled graduates.
“From health and aged care through to renewable energy, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, Tasmania needs more people with the skills to deliver,” he said.
“This change makes Tasmania a more attractive place to study, live and work, and it will give local businesses greater confidence that the skills they need are being trained and retained right here.”
Bailey also noted the importance of international education as an export sector for the state.
“International education contributes nearly half a billion dollars to Tasmania’s economy every year,” he said. “It is not only a major service export, but a key driver of cultural diversity, innovation and community growth.”
“We are grateful that the Federal Government has listened to business and education advocates on this issue. This change will make a real difference to Tasmania’s economic future.”
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