#politas

RT @C_Frohmader: @Lyshrose @jeremyrockliff Tasmania has until recently, been the jurisdiction leading the way on #OPCAT implementation. How…

Leg Co Select Committee Inquiry into provisions of University of Tasmania Act 1992 today released its Final Report - 88 findings & 19 recs focused primarily on amendments to the Act. #politas The inquiry was established in response to community concerns on a range of matters relating to UTAS, including executive management practices, workplace culture, facilities management and infrastructure development, funding priorities, loss of academic staff and diminishing quality of student experience. The inquiry did not seek to adjudicate matters of operational management or specific decisions of the University, rather it focused on whether the provisions of the Act are fit for purpose, particularly in terms of accountability and oversight. Under the ToR for the Inquiry, the Committee considered extensive evidence presented in 151 submissions and 12 days of public hearings. The Committee noted a clearly expressed deficit of trust in the University in evidence to the Inquiry, with submissions made by students, alumni, and current and past academics highly concerned and distressed by aspects of governance, management, decision-making and strategic direction. The Committee has made an overarching recommendation for a comprehensive review of the University of Tasmania Act 1992 and prompt implementation of the results of that review. There are 19 further recommendations, the majority of which relate to amending specific aspects of the Act. Comprehensive review and amendment of the Act presents an opportunity to structurally address the current deficit of trust in the University and improve accountability and oversight. The Committee warns against a piecemeal approach from the Government in addressing the recommendations in this report. A comprehensive review which picks up on matters covered in recommendations and includes appropriate public consultation, will be a positive way for the Government to demonstrate necessary stewardship of this important public institution. As the State’s sole university, UTAS holds a place of significance for Tasmania. It is essential for the social, cultural and economic development of Tasmania that the University is able to successfully deliver on its central mission of teaching and research to a level of excellence. The Committee strongly encourages the Government to act quickly on the recommendations of this inquiry, and believes it presents an important opportunity for the Tasmanian community, especially in the south of the state, to re-establish trust in the governance and oversight of UTAS.

Did you catch my final enews for the year? Check it out for a wrap-up of the busy month of November. Great time to subscribe to get the enews straight to your inbox in 2025! #politas

Human Rights Day, Dec 10th marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights being adopted by the UN. We are reminded by this year's theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” to check whether and how we are delivering the intent and protections recognised by that declaration. The TLRI has twice recommended a Tasmanian Human Rights Act, once in 2007 and again in April this year. Tasmanians deserve a Human Rights Act to ensure every government decision takes into account impact on human rights. #politas Read my full op ed piece...

With the @TasLiberal Govt's DAP Bill being voted down in the Legislative Council, it's very telling that the entire Assembly crossbench and all Upper House independents voted against this poorly consulted legislation. This vote provides an opportunity for the Premier & Minister to demonstrate maturity, and work respectfully and co-operatively with the local government sector. The ball is in their court. #politas Read my full media release:

Victoria charging ahead with card-based pokies laws - shame on @jeremyrockliff and @TasLiberal Govt for betraying Tasmanians by abandoning the nation-leading pokies card in our state #politas

The @TasLiberal Govt must heed urgent calls by independent Tasmanian National Preventive Mechanism (TNPM), Mr Richard Connock, and immediately fund the Office so it can fulfil its legislated responsibilities. Current funding = no monitoring visits! #politas

Huge boost to pokies pubs profits confirmed! In response to my qs in Leg Co QT, @TasLiberal Govt confirms statewide average increase in retained profits in 2023-24 under individual licensing model is 55%. Top 1/3 earning hotels = 61%; Middle 1/3 = 51%; lowest 1/3 = 32%. Govt refuses to provide the de-identified highest percentage increase - I'm estimating it is well over 100% - on Govt to say otherwise #politas

@theadvocatetas editorial 19 Oct 2024 "The putrid smell of a cowardly and morally bankrupt backflip is wafting in the wind from the offices of our state government." Absolutely correct - the @TasLiberals Govt has abandoned vulnerable Tasmanians at the demand of vested interest political donors #politas

@theadvocatetas from 4 Nov 2024 hits the nail on the head - the vested interests of the pokies industry has 'got to' the @TasLiberals Govt #politas

Listen to my interview on @RadioNational Breakfast with @SteveCannane talking about the shock backflip by @TasLiberal Govt on its promised mandatory pokies pre-commitment card #politas

Have a listen to the Tas Gaming Commissioner on @abchobart this morning - she talks about all the good work that has already been done in developing the Tas pokies card. This work should be continuing, not deferred indefinitely. #politas

@TasLiberal Govt & @TasmanianLabor Opposition parrot pokies industry lines on Facial Recognition Technology, which is proven to be marginally effective, at best. That's why it wasn't recommended by the TLGC. #politas Here is the latest study which debunks the SA trial of FRT: TLDR: recommends gambling sector "...resist industry pressures for the wider replication of this technology in other jurisdictions" #politas "Drawing on stakeholder interviews, site visits and documentary analysis over a two year period, the paper contrasts initial claims that facial recognition offered a straightforward and benign improvement to the efficiency of the city's long-running self-excluded gambler program, with subsequent concerns that the new technology was associated with heightened inconsistencies, inefficiencies and uncertainties. As such, the paper contends that regardless of the enthusiasms of government, tech industry and gaming lobby, facial recognition does not offer a ready 'technical fix' to problem gambling. The South Australian case illustrates how this technology does not appear to better address the core issues underpinning problem gambling, and/or substantially improve conditions for problem gamblers to refrain from gambling. As such, it is concluded that the gambling sector needs to pay close attention to the practical outcomes arising from initial cases such as this, and resist industry pressures for the wider replication of this technology in other jurisdictions."

@TasLiberal Govt and @TasmanianLabor parrot pokies industry lines on Facial Recognition Technology, which is proven to be marginally effective, at best. That's why it wasn't recommended by the TLGC. #politas Here is the latest study of SA trial of FRT: To quote: "Drawing on stakeholder interviews, site visits and documentary analysis over a two year period, the paper contrasts initial claims that facial recognition offered a straightforward and benign improvement to the efficiency of the city's long-running self-excluded gambler program, with subsequent concerns that the new technology was associated with heightened inconsistencies, inefficiencies and uncertainties. As such, the paper contends that regardless of the enthusiasms of government, tech industry and gaming lobby, facial recognition does not offer a ready 'technical fix' to problem gambling. The South Australian case illustrates how this technology does not appear to better address the core issues underpinning problem gambling, and/or substantially improve conditions for problem gamblers to refrain from gambling. As such, it is concluded that the gambling sector needs to pay close attention to the practical outcomes arising from initial cases such as this, and resist industry pressures for the wider replication of this technology in other jurisdictions."

Today, Premier @jeremyrockliff & @TasLiberal Govt stand condemned for a shameful, cowardly, blatant betrayal of Tasmanian community, esp those Tasmanians & their families who are being torn apart by pokies harm. #politas Clearly, Rockliff Govt is thoroughly captured by powerful vested interests of pokies industry -abandoning Tas nation-leading, evidence-based mandatory pokies pre-commitment card. After Govt licensing reforms in 2023 already gifted pokies venues increases of 40%-60% in retained pokies profits, this rapacious industry has made demands of Govt behind closed doors, to grasp onto every blood-soaked cent of profit from pokies addiction. We now have both @TasLiberal and @TasmanianLabor dutifully parroting pokies industry-approved lines & rolling out policies the industry has dictated to them. All the while, we have no visibility on what donations this industry made at the state election in March this year. Read my full media release: