The Holiday is Over

The Tasmanian Parliament finally sits again this week. On average, over the last 10 years, the Tasmanian Parliament takes a longer summer break than any other Parliament in the country, and this year was no exception. It’s not just the summer break. In 2025, the Tasmanian Parliament sat for just 37 days, again fewer than any other State Parliament, and just 33 the year prior.

At a time when the Treasurer is looking for greater productivity and efficiency in the public service, the same should be expected of the Parliament.

This isn’t just a question of productivity and value for money for the taxpayer, it’s about scrutiny. A parliament cannot scrutinise a government when it isn’t sitting.

We return to work against a backdrop of a stark warning in the latest Fiscal Sustainability Report: that Tasmania’s finances are set to “rapidly deteriorate”. Advice from Treasury is that “immediate action” is required before the state’s debt becomes unmanageable. And this is only one of the many urgent issues facing this state.

It’s no wonder people are fed up with politics as usual.

While Tasmanians face immense challenges accessing affordable housing and healthcare, and a critical Budget to come in May, it’s crucial that our elected representatives – across all parties – step up and meet these challenges head on. I call on the Premier to allow the Parliament to properly scrutinise his Government by increasing the number of parliamentary sitting days. Anything less would do Tasmanians a grave disservice.