Tasmania
I did most of my education in Tasmania and, after spending almost 34 years on what Tasmanians call ‘the mainland’, returned to Tasmania in December 2014. Both while I was living away, and since returning, I’ve maintained a keen interest in the progress (or, at times, lack of it) of Australia’s smallest state. The pieces here represent some of my efforts to advocate for policies which, in my opinion, would result in a stronger Tasmanian economy and improved living standards for Tasmanians.
Podcast: Tasmania’s Debt Dilemma
Economic Policies, Economic Video, Tasmania | 13th March 2025Podcast recording of Saul Eslake’s presentation to a public forum hosted by the University of Tasmania, as part of its “Island of Ideas” series, in Hobart on 12th March 2025 – at which he discusses the Tasmanian Government’s response to his Independent Review of Tasmania’s Public Finances, published in August last year (and available here).
Tasmania’s Debt Dilemma
Economic Policies, Tasmania | 12th March 2025Slides accompanying Saul’s presentation to a public forum hosted by the University of Tasmania, as part of its “Island of Ideas” series, in Hobart on 12th March 2025 – at which he discusses the Tasmanian Government’s response to his Independent Review of Tasmania’s Public Finances, published in August last year (and available here). A podcast […]
Review of the case for privatization of Tasmanian Government business enterprises
Economic Policies, News, Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 6th March 2025In his annual ‘State of the State’ address to the Tasmanian Parliament on 4th March, Tasmania’s Premier the Hon. Jeremy Rockliff MP announced that he had asked me to provide the Government with advice as to whether it should consider selling any of its state-owned enterprises (other than Hydro Tasmania, the state-owned electricity generation company, […]
China Live-fire in the Tasman Sea
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Video, Tasmania | 2nd March 2025Saul Eslake talks with the newest member of the InEconomics team, Rear Admiral Rowan Moffatt AO, RAN (retd) about what the flotilla from the Chinese PLA-Navy was doing in the Tasman Sea and other waters off the Australian coast last week, what China might be seeking to achieve by that, and what the implications for Australia might be.
Tasmania’s Public Finances
& the Independent Review of Tasmania’s State Finances (Aug, 2024)
News, Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 14th February 2025
Saul spoke to ABC Radio Hobart and Tasmania Statewide’s “Mornings” presenter Leon Compton about the latest update on Tasmania’s public finances, and the Government’s formal response to the Independent Review of Tasmania’s State Finances published in August 2024.
Opening Statement to Senate Select Committee on the Tasmanian Freight Equalization Scheme
Economic Policies, Tasmania | 13th November 2024I was asked to give evidence to the Senate Select Committee inquiry into the Tasmanian Freight Equalization Scheme which held a public hearing in Hobart on 13th November. Here’s my ‘opening statement’ to the hearing. In answers to questions about what needs to be done, I suggested that the ‘parameters’ used to determine rates […]
‘Tasmanian Money Matters’ – Tasmania’s Economy and Public Finances
Economic Policies, Tasmania | 3rd October 2024Tasmania is no longer ‘leading the nation’ on most economic indicators, as it was for a while between 2017 and 2022, and its public finances are on track to become the worst of any state or territory. And the current Government isn’t doing anything about either. Saul’s presentation to an ‘Island of Ideas’ forum hosted […]
A ‘path back to surplus’ for the Tasmanian Budget? Not really
Tasmania | 17th September 2024Saul’s op-ed in the Hobart Mercury of 17th September arguing that, contrary to the Tasmanian Government’s assertions, the 2024-25 Budget does not chart a credible ‘path back to surplus by 2029-30’ – or at least, not a surplus which can then be used to start repaying debt.