Speaking out again
During the campaign for the election we didn’t need to have, Tasmanian Greens’ candidates were asked to refrain from speaking out on social media, or writing letters to editors. It was frustrating, but given the extent of the vitriol directed towards the Greens - from both major parties – it was understandable. It’s likely other candidates from the blue and red sides were given similar directives. Politics can be a nasty business and digging dirt on people has unfortunately become par for the course.
But the campaign over, and the likelihood of a stable government for the next four years looking rocky (pun intended) I’ve been able to resume writing letters to editors expressing my opinion on the bizarre, stubborn intransigence of both Tasmanian leaders of the Liberals and Labor. Neither have seemed willing to recognise control of a majority government was akin to a political game of ping pong, flipping from one party to the other, are well and truly over.
Such was the context of versions of my recent letter which won the publishing trifecta, being printed in The Mercury, online in Tasmanian Times, and in the Subscriber Only newsletter from Independent Australia, all on the same day. It remains to be seen if mine, and a heap of other similar letters, will make a skerrick of difference. We can only hope.
https://tasmaniantimes.com/2025/08/letters-to-the-editor-34/
Rockliff isn’t delivering what Tasmania voted for
“Tasmania’s Acting Premier Rockliff recently claimed he “respects the will of the people”. If he genuinely respected the will of the people, he would park his arrogant, elitist attitude at the door of Parliament House.
What he should be doing is discussing how the next four years of our parliament will work — with all our elected MPs. A little humility wouldn’t go astray either, since Mr Rockliff also needs to remember that despite that clutch of 14 seats he holds in the blue corner, they don’t represent the majority of Tasmanian voters. Around 60 per cent of them didn’t vote Liberal.
So this “mandate” Rockliff is also claiming to have is a fiction. “Mandate” has to be the most overused – and misused – word in the political lexicon.
Mr Rockliff doesn't have a mandate. Nobody does. Tasmanians elected an interesting and colourful mix to represent them, one that’s even more colourful and interesting than those elected last year. It could and should be seen as a recipe for optimism and positive change.
Rockliff also needs to seriously reflect on the fact that most Tasmanians voted for candidates that were either Independent, Green or Labor, so it’s pretty obvious they’re sick of a choice of either blue or red. They want a different recipe, one with more spice, more ideas and more vision for our island’s future.
Arguably, the only “mandate” from this election is that Tasmanians expect all of those 35 elected MPs to work together, to form an open, transparent and functional parliament, as well as a collaborative government that recognises the talents and skills of each MP.
Tasmanians want and need a government that lasts four years and doesn't succumb again to self-interest and entitlement, or to the political tantrums that have characterised the recent behaviour of a couple of egotistical, ego-driven men.” (IA – 7th August 2025)
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