Meg Webb

Yesterday I spoke to Kylie Baxter on ABC Hobart Drive about the commencement of the state’s new political donations disclosure laws and concerns that the time for publication will mean not all donations received during the current state election will be known by polling day on the 19th July. I also discussed questions to be answered over two 30 June deadlines contained in the AFL deal with the Tasmanian government, and whether missing those two deadlines may present any ramifications for the state AFL team. #politas Listen to the full interview... megwebb.com.au/abc-drive-radi…

Is Tasmania currently in breach of its deal with the AFL in light of two 30th June deadlines for statutory approvals not being met, as stipulated in Schedule 12 of the Agreement? The state government and the AFL need to clarify any implications the two missed 30th June deadlines may have for the Tassie Devils team. Do the two missed deadlines mean the state is in breach of the deal, and if so does that make the Agreement null and void, or will those provisions now be up for renegotiation? If these missed deadlines are to be renegotiated, there are serious questions surrounding when such renegotiations can occur, and by whom. As we are now in caretaker mode, thanks to the current state election, I am calling on the Liberals to confirm that any renegotiations of the deal, such as the apparent two missed 30 June deadlines, will not occur during the caretaker period and not until the new parliament sits. #politas Read my full media release… megwebb.com.au/media-release-…

This state election is an opportunity for candidates to step up and commit to ending public funding of controversial greyhound racing in Tasmania. Today I was proud to add my voice, with Kristie Johnston - Independent Member for Clark and Peter George - Independent Candidate for Franklin, along with 79% of Tasmanians who say the government should stop propping up the greyhound racing industry with taxpayers’ money. Tasmanians do not want to lock in more greyhound suffering, and they certainly do not want to be subsidising that suffering. #politas Read my full media release… megwebb.com.au/media-release-…

Strawman arguments are lazy. I will reply to this only once. At no time have I ever told people how to spend their money. I do advocate for a range of ways we can more effectively regulate the sale and use of a proven dangerous product, designed to be addictive - just like we regulate numerous other acknowledged dangerous and/or addictive products. For example, just as people can still freely choose to buy plain package cigarettes from regulated sales points (among the many agreed regulated measures to reduce tobacco harm), people could still freely choose to use poker machines via a pokies card, or if we set $1 bets and slower spin speeds as standard, or if we reduced gaming room opening hours from 20hrs per day to 12hrs per day. Evidence demonstrates that every one of those measures would be virtually unnoticed by recreational users of poker machines, while they would be life-saving for people who are addicted to pokies. Trying to paint consumer protection and harm minimisation as a loss of freedom is nonsensical, and comes off as either ignorant or cruel, or both. Further to that, there most certainly is not sufficient support for people with a pokies addiction, nor is there sufficient funding and effort devoted to de-stigmatising what is felt by those affected by it as the most shameful addiction to admit to. That is why only one in ten people with a pokies addiction currently seek help. Self-exclusion is the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff - while any humane and civilised society would instead build a fence at the top of the cliff with the readily available consumer protection measures we know would work.

@MegWebbTweets Telling people how they can spend their own money is never a good thing. There is plenty of help available to individuals who think they have a problem. Even to the point of excluding themselves from venues.

Tassie pokies losses for May = $16,439,122 Highest monthly losses so far for 2025. On track for annual losses for 2024/25 of over $190 million. Will be highest Tassie annual losses in a decade. This election provides all candidates a clear opportunity to pledge their commitment to implementing the pokies card as planned as a priority. The pokies card will save lives. How could any responsible candidate refuse to sign up to that? #politas Read my full media release…megwebb.com.au/media-release-…

Head of the Integrity Commission confirms the new lobbying disclosure code has been put in ice because (1) the three major parties have effectively refused to comply it, and (2) funding for Integrity Commission key positions dealing with the new lobbying code had been cut in the recent Liberal state budget. This is a categorical demonstration that the parties have no genuine commitment to integrity in our Tasmanian democracy. They are comfortable with their secretive, cosy arrangements with vested interests. A strong cross-bench of independents at this election is the only way to force the major parties to accept gold-standard integrity measures. As I have called for repeatedly, and confirmed by Chief Commissioner Melick, the new lobbying code must be legislated, so it can be fully enforced. Biggest risk now is that the two major parties will refuse to legislate it or seek to legislate a watered down, toothless version #politas

Premier Rockliff’s autocratic decision to pull the Mac Point stadium out of PoSS process in order to avoid any planning approval requirement is an affront to the Tasmanian people & a new low for our state. Clear admission from Premier that Mac Point stadium – as demanded by the AFL & signed up to by him behind closed doors with no oversight or consultation – is so manifestly flawed it could not hope to pass the rules and standards of our regular planning system. Having attempted a disgraceful character assassination of independent experts, including our Tasmanian Planning Commission, in the face of significant and undeniable concerns raised about the AFL-demanded stadium project, Premier Rockliff is now attempting a parliamentary ram-raid The Tasmanian people will rightly be horrified to see this reckless action from a Government with no mandate. #politas Read my full media release… megwebb.com.au/media-release-…

@Lyshrose @jeremyrockliff Tasmania has until recently, been the jurisdiction leading the way on #OPCAT implementation. However, the Tas Govt has only allocated $300,000 per year for the next few years, despite the required $1.4 million per year. This is just not ok. #AYDC @MegWebbTweets @CassyOConnorMLC

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 parliament.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/… 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 mailchi.mp/megwebb/meg-we…

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... megwebb.com.au/talking-point-…

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: megwebb.com.au/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 theguardian.com/australia-news…

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 megwebb.com.au/media-release-…

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 has been spot on condemning the @TasLiberal Govt and @TasmanianLabor opposition for utterly failing Tasmanians on pokies - prioritising vested interests over nation-leading harm prevention and minimisation. #politas See today's editorial, and also from 4 Nov & 19 Oct (in comments) theadvocate.com.au/story/8824066/…

@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