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.
Some initial reflections on the outcome of the 2024 Tasmanian State election
Australian Society and Politics, Tasmania | 24th March 2024Some initial reflections on the Tasmanian election results (based on figures posted on the Tasmanian Electoral Commission website as of 9am Sunday morning, 24th March). First, the Liberals were the biggest losers at the election. Their share of the primary vote fell by 12.0 pc pts, the second-largest swing against them ever recorded (exceeded only […]
Tasmania’s fiscal position
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 24th March 2024Saul Eslake talks to ABC Radio Hobart’s “Mornings” presenter Leon Compton about the condition of Tasmania’s budget and public finances, and what the impact of the spending promises made by the contenders in the 23 March election might mean for those.
Tasmania – lost opportunities
Tasmania | 12th March 2024Recent data releases from both the Australian Bureau of Statistics and private sector surveys seem to suggest that Tasmania may be on the cusp of – or indeed may already have entered – a cycle like the ones we experienced in the 1990s, and again between 2010 and 2015 – in which declining (or […]
The Tasmanian Economy
Tasmania | 29th February 2024Saul’s presentation to the CEDA (Committee for Economic Development of Australia) Annual Economic & Political Outlook conference, Hobart, 29th February 2024
Tasmania’s senior secondary education reform
Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 13th February 2024Saul Eslake joined WorkPlace Demographer Lisa Denny and Emeritus Professor Michael Rowan on ABC Radio Hobart’s “Mornings” program hosted by Leon Compton to discuss the findings of the Productivity Commission’s recent Report on Government Services findings with regard to the performance of Tasmania’s education system. and in particular our abysmally low Year 12 retention and attainment rates. All three of them have been long-term advocates for fundamental changes in Tasmania’s senior secondary education system so that Tasmanian students can have access to the same opportunities as their peers in every other state.
Tasmanian Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) Scores
Education, Tasmania, The Stream | 6th December 2023The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), as it’s called, assesses how well 15-year-olds are prepared to use their knowledge and skills in particular areas to meet “real-world challenges and opportunities”. It measures three core domains of reading literacy, mathematical literacy and scientific literacy. Students completeEvery three years, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development […]
The Tasmanian Economy
Tasmania | 2nd November 2023Presentation to the Annual Tasmanian Economic Forum, 2nd November 2023. Despite out-performing the national economy on most metrics in the years leading up to the Covid pandemic, and during the pandemic itself, Tasmania remains the poorest state in Australia, by a wide margin. And now Tasmania’s economy appears to be under-performing the rest of Australia […]
The 2022-23 Tasmanian State Budget
Tasmania | 26th May 2022An ‘instant analysis’ of the 2022-23 Tasmanian State Budget presented by new Treasurer Michael Ferguson on 26th May 2022