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Tasmanian Inquirer
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Independent open-access reader-funded journalism about Lutruwita/Tasmania.

Our eyes are on untold stories. Read them at https://tasmanianinquirer.com.au.

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You can sign up for email alerts about new stories at
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TI is funded by our readers - you can donate at
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November 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
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You can sign up for email alerts about new stories at
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TI is funded by our readers - you can donate at
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/contribute/
October 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
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ABC News has picked up the issue Cement Australia's unauthorised earthworks near Railton (originally reported by #TasInq) -- with additional material from Mount Roland Land Care president Greg Taylor and additional comments from Todd Walsh #politas #auspol

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Unauthorised land clearing impacted endangered crayfish, EPA finds
A creek in northern Tasmanian known to be home to the endangered giant freshwater crayfish has sustained "serious environmental harm" from land clearing and earthworks, the Environment Protection Agen...
www.abc.net.au
October 21, 2025 at 4:13 AM
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Tas Greens issued a media release on Cement Australia's unauthorised works near the Railton #cement plant #politas

tasgreensmps.org/media-releas...
Tasmanian Greens MPs | Alarming Relevations of Environmental Damage at Railton
Revelations that unauthorised works caused detrimental damage to threatened species habitat again show the need for stronger environment laws and more transparency by the EPA
tasgreensmps.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:44 AM
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‪
Tasmanian Inquirer’s previous stories on pokies are here
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/topics/poker...

You can sign up for email alerts about new stories @
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/subscribe/

TI is funded by our readers - you can donate @
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/contribute/
A photo of an island with a lighthouse off the coast of Tasmania with blue skies and light could cover The text says "Tasmanian Inquirer: independent open-access reader-funded journalism about Lutrawita/Tasmania. Our eyes are on untold stories - become a monthly supporter today"
October 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
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Tasmanian Inquirer’s previous stories on pokies are here
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/topics/poker...

You can sign up for email alerts about new stories @
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/subscribe/

TI is funded by our readers - you can donate @
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/contribute/
A photo of an island with a lighthouse off the coast of Tasmania with blue skies and light could cover The text says "Tasmanian Inquirer: independent open-access reader-funded journalism about Lutrawita/Tasmania. Our eyes are on untold stories - become a monthly supporter today"
September 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
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Comment: The Lib govt claimed it was the first to disclose ministerial appointments dairies - this is only half true

After a FOI request, in 2009 Labor Premier David Bartlett began disclosing his appoinments diary. It was a nation-leading reform that was later scrapped by the Hodgman govt #politas
In reality, the Department of Premier and Cabinet agreed to disclose then premier David Bartlett’s appointments diary in 2009 following a Freedom of Information request by the author. The details disclosed were comprehensive: meetings with departmental officials, other MPs, party events, and lobbyists, along with details of who attended the meetings, their purpose and duration. While the request was only for three months, Bartlett instituted the ongoing disclosure of the diary covering all his portfolios. Bartlett’s decision ensured Tasmania became the first jurisdiction in Australia to disclose the premier’s appointment diary. This continued during the Labor-Green government between 2010 and 2014, but was abandoned following the Liberal party’s 2014 election win. Tasmania’s example sparked interest in other states, with Queensland instituting disclosure in 2014 and New South Wales and the ACT following in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Victoria began disclosing ministerial diaries in February.
September 23, 2025 at 8:40 AM
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The motion passed on the voices #politas #TasInq

There was no contribution on the debate by Labor MPs

Labor have baulked at committing to improvements to ministerial diary disclosure before when White was leader

tasmanianinquirer.com.au/news/will-ta...
Will Tasmanians get to see who government ministers really meet? | Tasmanian Inquirer
Neither the Liberal nor Labor party have committed to reintroducing what was once Australia’s greatest level of public disclosure of ministerial meetings if they win government at this weekend’s elect...
tasmanianinquirer.com.au
September 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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The leader of the Government defended the Rockliff's government's current approach to ministerial diaries disclosure and opposed the motion

Webb in response said she had 'steam coming out of her ears' about the goverment's position - said best practice elements are well known #politas #TasInq
September 23, 2025 at 8:21 AM
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Referred to Premier Rockliff's November 2, 2023 meeting with salmon industry representatives at a $4400 per head event #politas #TasInq

Details of that meeting and questions about it here:

tasmanianinquirer.com.au/news/analysi...
Analysis: Rockliff’s failure to answer questions on Liberal corporate fundraising dinner shows donations bill flaws | Tasmanian Inquirer
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s repeated refusal to directly answer questions over a recent Liberal party fundraising dinner should serve as a cautionary tale for Legislative Council members consi...
tasmanianinquirer.com.au
September 23, 2025 at 7:46 AM
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Greens MP Cassy O'Connor said that all members say that all members of the Legislative Council should feel "disrepected" because two previous motions have been ignored by the government #politas #TasInq

Referred to the need to be able to see which lobbyists ministers are meeting
September 23, 2025 at 7:46 AM
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Ruth Forrest speaking in support of the motion #politas #TasInq

Said that greater transparency is not only good for increased accountability but offers protections for the ministers

"It is not a huge ask"
September 23, 2025 at 7:29 AM
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The webcast of the Lego Co debate on the motion for improved ministerial diaries disclosure is here
www.youtube.com/watch?v=03jc...

#politas #auspol #TasInq
Legislative Council
YouTube video by Parliament of Tasmania
www.youtube.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:59 AM
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Earlier Tasmanian Inquirer articles on the topic are here
tasmanianinquirer.com.au/articles/min...

#politas #auspol #TasInq
Ministerial appointments diaries | Tasmanian Inquirer
tasmanianinquirer.com.au
September 23, 2025 at 6:57 AM
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The Tasmanian Legislative Council has started debate on a motion by Meg Webb to improve the current system of ministerial diaries disclosure #politas #auspol #TasInq

The motion is below

A background paper on the motion by Webb is here
megwebb.com.au/wp-content/u...
Motion notes previous resolutions on the topic requesting the Tas govt for improvements and a review to "(a) ensure the process is informed by best practice examples of mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diary requirements established in other jurisdictions, including examples of oversight and compliance requirements; and (b) develop and publicly consult on a proposed Tasmanian mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diaries scheme. 2). That the Legislative Council further notes that: (a) The Tasmanian Government failed to report progress to this House by the 28 November last year as requested by the 10 September resolution; (b) public consultation on a proposed Tasmanian mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diaries scheme did not occur; and (c) despite the Tasmanian Government introducing quarterly routine disclosure of Ministerial diaries commencing with the January/March 2023 quarter; the current routine disclosures of Ministerial diaries system is not mandatory under statute; does not occur in a reliable and timely manner; and the format and details disclosed remain deficient. 3). That the Legislative Council also notes, given the failure to implement the Integrity Commission’s Lobbyist Code of Conduct reforms this year, the growing urgency for clear, timely and transparent disclosure of lobbying contact between government, advisors and lobbyists. 4). And that the Legislative Council calls on the Tasmanian government to: (a) undertake comprehensive and public consultation as a priority on a best practice mandatory disclosure of Ministerial diaries model, and that process is to provide for input into the design, disclosure details, timeliness, application, and any other related matter; and (b) report back to the Legislative Council by 5 December 2025 in relation to the above."
September 23, 2025 at 6:57 AM
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Tasmanian Inquirer publishes independent open-access public-interest journalism about #Tasmania

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Thanks for your support!
September 7, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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Other reactions today include

Bob Brown Foundation
bobbrown.org.au/factory-fish...

Neighbours of Fishfarming
www.noff.au/l/seal-and-c...

Tas Greens
tasgreensmps.org/media-releas...
Factory fish farms are graveyards for native wildlife and should be removed immediately – Bob Brown Foundation
Shockingly in just one month, 15 native birds and one seal have drowned in a single Tassal industrial fish farm lease on the Tasman Peninsula. Right to Informat
bobbrown.org.au
August 25, 2025 at 7:35 AM
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ABC News has a follow up story on the #TasInq RTI on the deaths of a seal & 15 cormorants at a Tassal #salmon lease in #Tasmania #politas

Incl comments from Ind MP Peter George, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff & Govt MP Kerry Vincent

Story by Adam Holmes here
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Seal dies after botched tranquilisation attempt at Tasmanian salmon farm
A seal and 15 cormorants died in a Tasmanian salmon farm in the space of a week after becoming trapped inside, despite Tassal assurances that it would prevent wildlife interactions.
www.abc.net.au
August 25, 2025 at 7:35 AM