The Gov’s FOI bill makes it harder for the public to access info and easier for govs to hide it. Protecting public servants’ frank and fearless advice is an excuse, covering up gov missteps and mischief is the reality. My experience in 2003 tells that story. #auspol #politas

In introducing these environmental law reforms, the gov forgot the word ‘protection’. A slip of the tongue that tells us all we need to know about the so-called reforms. If these laws pass, environment ministers are sure to oversee the next mass extinction event #auspol #politas

Aged care providers shouldn’t be balancing their books off the back of vulnerable older Australian’s who are stretching every dollar to remain at home safe and independent. The Government must ensure older Australians get the care they pay for. #auspol #politas

Honoured to host Sydney Peace Prize winner Judge Navi Pillay to brief parliamentarians on Aus's obligation to prevent & punish genocide. She made it clear that genocide is occurring now, and efforts must be made now to prevent it. #politas #auspol

Despite the incompetent state gov, Tas still boast an incredible unique environment, world leading sustainability initiatives & fabulous tourism opportunities. Tas is small but mighty & really is the jewel in Australia’s crown. #auspol #politas

The Gov’s boost to bulk-billing incentives is welcome but they are not being honest when they say there is a ‘surge’ in bulk billing GPs in Tassie. There is no doubt we need to strengthen primary care, but we need more than this parsimonious approach. #auspol #politas

Aus is supposed to be a country where the rule of law & natural justice applies. The Gov’s sneaky attempt to strip welfare from people before they’ve been convicted of any crime is a fundamental breach of these principles. We may as well dissolve the court system. #auspol #politas

We haven’t only just seen a brazen attempt to wind back transparency from this Gov, it’s been much more insidious than that. And it’s eroding trust, building community frustration & weakening our democracy. #politas #auspol

For all the Fed Gov’s talk about domestic emissions reduction, they’re still dodging responsibility for the climate harm Aus exports daily. The ICJ’s recent ruling should be a wake-up call. #auspol #politas

There’s no excuse for the Federal Government’s refusal to ban gambling adverting. Shameful that they don’t care about the harm of gambling addiction, and are scared stiff of the gambling & media companies and of the AFL & NRL #auspol #politas

Reintroducing a six-year limit on debt recovery was a key recommendation of the Robodebt Royal Commission. My amendment today would do just that #auspol #politas

Important take outs from my meeting yesterday with a group of young Palestinians; that debates on uni campuses should be respectful of facts, free speech & non-discriminatory, & that a good place to start would be applying Australia’s existing discrimination laws. #auspol #politas

When it comes to healthcare, Tasmanians are being left behind. I seconded Dr Helen Haines’ motion, because it’s not about getting more, it’s about fairness. Everyone deserves healthcare that works, no matter where they live. #politas #auspol

Since the Tas Gov and Opp won't listen to expert advice, represent the majority of Tasmanians and stand up to the AFL' s stadium shakedown tactics, it falls to crossbench parliamentarians and Mayors to do it. #politas #auspol

Very welcome federal funding boost for youth mental health services, including $412k for Headspace Hobart. Young Tasmanians have some of the highest rates of mental health conditions in Australia and desperately need access to well-funded support services. #auspol #politas

Good Hobart Clinic news. It’s too important to lose. But let’s be honest, a last-minute announcement, only a temporary respite & it looks more like getting the Tas Gov past the stadium vote than saving the Clinic. Little comfort for people most in need #politas #auspol

Distressed to hear Madeleine Habib’s boat has been intercepted & boarded by IDF. Yet another breach of int law by Israel. I’m in Canberra & liaising now with the PM’s office. Israel must immediately release all on board including our brave Tasmanian Madeleine #auspol #politas

Today the Tas Govt officially binned the Planning Commission’s damning report into the proposed Mac Pt AFL stadium. But if the knuckleheads actually knew anything about ‘future prosperity’, they’d be focussed instead on essential infrastructure and services #auspol #politas

The Premier & the Opp Leader would build the stadium against the advice of every expert & the will of a majority of the community. And it’s our children & their children who will have to pay for it. Want a corflute? Go here nonewstadium.au/getasign/ #politas #auspol

Gambling regulation in Aus is a national disgrace. The govt has ignored the Murphy Report & repeatedly blocked my bill to hold gambling giants accountable. If they won’t listen to evidence, experts or the crossbench, they should at least listen to the community. #auspol #politas

Spoke to Madeleine Habib, Tassie captain of the Conscience in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. They’re aiming to break Israel’s siege of Gaza & deliver aid. Aus Gov could learn a lot from these brave people. Their int’l law responsibility doesn’t stop with recognising Palestine.

It is blatantly obvious that our public health system cannot absorb the patient load if the 27-bed Hobart Clinic closes. State Gov needs to re-assess its priorities & negotiate to buy and operate the clinic #politas #auspol

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Black swans are a protected native species, and it’s appalling the Tas Gov still issue permits allowing them to be culled. I have written to Minister Pearce urging him to employ other measures that would safeguard these beautiful native birds #politas #auspol

The closure of The Hobart Clinic will add to the enormous pressure on the Tassie mental health system. This is a very human story, and Laura Cini's account of her treatment there was a powerful testimony to the importance of the Clinic. #auspol #politas

The Tasmanian Planning Commission’s scathing assessment of the proposed Mac Point Stadium must be the end of the matter. Only a foolish, selfish and grossly incompetent government and opposition would still try and build this scandalous dud. #politas #auspol

Qantas is reviewing their Hobart base for QantasLink crew. Generations of Tasmanians, and hundreds of workers, have given their loyalty to the flying kangaroo, and to close the base would do nothing to repay that loyalty or improve QF’s corporate image #auspol #politas

A welcome change of tone from the Gov’t in response to my question about long-overdue whistleblower reforms today. While still avoiding saying when, at least the new Attorney-General is promising to move things along #auspol #politas

The Australian Government paying hundreds of millions of dollars to Nauru to forcibly disappear migrants is immoral and illegal under international law, and outrageously expensive #auspol #politas

Federal FOI framework needs to be modernised to deal with unprecedented demand, AI etc. But any changes need to ensure we can all affordably exercise our fundamental right to access gov info #auspol #politas

Australian banks are turning a blind eye to harmful gambling behaviour. The tools exist to detect such harm so I can only assume it is wilful ignorance that’s holding them back. They must do better #auspol #politas

The Govt’s shocker deportation bill is a direct attack on the right to due process, a shameful insight into the deterrence & punishment at the heart of Aust’s asylum seeker policy, as well as contempt for the courts. Aus should be better than this #auspol #politas

I am heartened to hear that no conviction has been recorded against ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle. However, it should never have come to this because he should never have been charged for simply doing the right thing #auspol #politas

This week, 58 organisations shared a joint statement calling on the Aus Gov to support a parliamentary review into arms exports. We must ensure our military goods aren’t enabling violations of international humanitarian law. #auspol #politas

Today’s announcement on Centrelink debts is welcome but more is needed. It ignores key Robodebt Royal Commission recommendations & falls short of my Bill introduced this week. While the Gov takes small steps, Centrelink’s cruel debt recovery continues. #auspol #politas

I was proud to second the Member for Ryan’s motion on the North West Shelf gas project today. Of course the Gov’t can’t be serious about climate change while it continues to approve and champion climate-wrecking coal and gas projects like this, and proponents like Woodside.

It’s 2yrs since the Robodebt Royal Commission & we are yet to see the Fed Gov legislate to stop it happening again. Well, I’ve now done the work for them & urge the Gov to come to the table on these reforms. We cannot allow a repeat of this shameful part of Aus history #auspol

Gov reaffirming salmon farming expansion in Mac Harbour shows appalling disregard for the natural environment. Obsessed with appeasing big business, they’d rather offer hollow apologies later for driving the Maugean skate to extinction than take real action now. #auspol #politas

Very welcome news that the Australian Government intends to recognise the state of Palestine next month. And entirely right that Hamas must play no part in it. But hostage release and ceasefire are still urgently needed. #politas #auspol

Today, we remember Hiroshima & on Saturday, Nagasaki. These are days to reflect on the horrors of nuclear weapons and commit to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. These weapons bring devastation & it's time to eliminate them. #nuclearban #auspol #politas @nuclearban.bsky.social

A one-off cut to student debt is welcome, but better would be students not racking up the debt at all. After 3 years the Gov still hasn’t axed the Morrison-era increase to fees, & no one is talking about fee-free courses which is what is really needed #auspol #politas

Aus support for international law should not hinge on who’s committing the crime. It applies to everyone equally and our Govt undermines it at our own peril. Might does not make right. #auspol #politas

Tas Libs & Labs should be ashamed by the human toll of poker machines in Glenorchy. Nearly $5m losses in Jan-Mar 2025. >400 people suicide annually in Aus from gambling related issues & if Tas Gov cared, they’d implement the cashless poker machine card #politas #auspol

It's time for Liberal and Labor to pull their heads out of the sand and face the reality of a power-sharing Parliament in Tasmania.

17,000 children have been killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza since 7 Oct 23. Today I joined a vigil held by human rights groups & the Palestinian community to read aloud names of some of these children. The Aus govt must take decisive action to end the genocide. #auspol #politas

Shameful that the govt dodged my question today on the rivers of Russian oil effectively supplying Australian bowsers. Yes it’s hard to prevent, but that’s not a good enough reason to ignore the issue & continue paying for Putin’s war. #politas #auspol

Today is the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the Genocide in Srebrenica, and marks 30 years since the massacre. We should use the opportunity to reflect on and acknowledge the horror, and honour the memory of the victims #politas #auspol

Tomorrow marks two years since the release of the parliamentary gambling report chaired by the late Peta Murphy. Despite strong public support, Fed Govt has failed to even respond to the report. For those harmed by gambling, this is a shocking betrayal #auspol #politas

I discussed the conflict in Iran on ABC radio yesterday. Possibility of a ceasefire is obviously a good sign of de-escalation. But the Aus Gov’t prioritising our relationship with US over international law is deeply worrying. #politas #auspol