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.
‘Minding the store’? Or ‘building a bigger and better store’?
Economic Policies, Tasmania, The Australian Economy | 3rd December 2021Saul’s presentation to the Economic Society of Australia’s annual Tasmanian Economic Forum in Hobart on 3rd December. Tasmania’s economic performance has improved considerably in recent years – and the current state government is entitled to claim some of the credit for that. It’s done a good job of ‘minding the store’ since being elected in […]
Tasmania records strong economic growth in 2020-21 but remains Australia’s poorest state
News, Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 23rd November 2021Saul discusses the findings of the latest ABS State Accounts for the 2020-21 financial year with Tasmania Talks’ Mike O’Loughlin on 22nd November
The Economic Benefits of ‘Closing the Gap’ in Tasmania
Australian Society and Politics, Tasmania | 29th October 2021Presentation to a form hosted by Reconciliation Tasmania in Hobart on 29th October 2021, looking at the possible benefits to the broader economy of ‘closing the gap’ between Aboriginal (palawa) and other Tasmanians
The “corrupt bargain” imposed by the Morrison Government
Australian Society and Politics, Economic Policies, Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 28th September 2021Saul talks to Tasmania Talks’ Mike O’Loughlin about Tasmania’s Treasury’s findings regarding the “corrupt bargain” imposed by the Morrison Government regarding the distribution of GST revenue among the states and territories, 28th September 2021
Interview with ABC Radio Hobart’s Leon Compton
News, Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 20th September 2021Saul talks to ABC Radio Hobart‘s Leon Compton on 20th September 2021 about the economics of a proposed hydrogen industry for Tasmania, the risks around opening Tasmania’s borders, and the possible consequences of the looming default by China’s largest property developer, Evergrande
Tasmania’s 2021-22 State Budget
Economic Policies, Tasmania | 26th August 2021The 2021-22 Tasmanian State Budget is an uncharacteristically big-spending affair, with some $2½ billion in new spending over the next four years funded by ‘windfall gains’ from Tasmania’s share of GST revenue, and buoyant stamp duty collections, together with $500-$600 million more borrowing than had been previously envisaged – although because last year’s deficit was […]
Lifting education key to boosting Tasmanian wages
Education, News, Publications, Tasmania | 2nd August 2021You may find this article by Sean Ford in today’s Examiner and Advocate newspapers of interest … it encapsulates what I’ve been saying on this subject now for 24 years, to no real avail – but, to paraphrase Mitch McConnell speaking (pejoratively) of Elizabeth Warren, “still I persist”. Tasmanias education outcomes need improving to boost […]
The CommSec “State of the States” Report – Tasmania
News, Publications, Recent Media Interview, Tasmania | 29th July 2021Saul discusses the latest CommSec ‘State of the States’ Report with Tasmania Talks’ Mike O’Loughlin on 28th July 2021.