The 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 […]

You 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 […]

Saul discusses the latest CommSec ‘State of the States’ Report with Tasmania Talks’ Mike O’Loughlin on 28th July 2021.

A lovely piece by my cousin Stephanie Eslake about Stanley – a special place for both of us https://islandmag.com/read/music-for-the-walls-stephanie-eslake?rq=ten%20days

For the next six years, Federal taxpayers – and after that, taxpayers in Australia’s eastern states and territories – will be paying a very high price in order to appease Western Australia’s desire to hang on to as much as they possibly can of the windfall gains it’s reaping from the huge prices being paid […]

An assessment of the Fiscal Sustainability Report published by Tasmania’s Treasury on 10th June 2021

Saul talks to Tasmania Talk’s Mike O’Loughlin about Australian Federal Budget 2021-2022

Op-Ed piece in the Australian Financial ReviewAustralian Financial Review with my take on Saturday 2nd May 2021’s Tasmanian election outcome