TICKET TO CREATE

Based on the popular Ticket to Play scheme, which enables young people to engage in sports without the barrier of economic disadvantage, I will champion a Ticket to Create scheme, to help young people engage in arts programs across visual arts, performing arts, music and more.

CREATIVE ARTS HUB

Tasmanian creatives must be supported for their industries to thrive. I will propose the government invest in infrastructure, in the form of a state-owned, industry-managed Creative Arts Hub - servicing film & TV, theatre, games, content creation, photography, animation, music, sound and dance. The Hub will feature purpose built film and recording studios, alongside flexible spaces for learning, production offices, workshops, storage and essential amenities.


PORTABLE LONG SERVICE LEAVE

The construction sector has had a portable long service leave program in place in this state now for nearly 30 years. It is time this scheme was extended to all sectors of our economy, and I will move to pilot this in the Arts sector in the first instance.


MUSIC & DRAMA IN ALL SCHOOLS

Being a young person is hard - hormones, school, family, friendships, relationships - students need ways of being able to understand themselves and the world around them, and learn new ways of being able to express themselves. Music and drama are some of the most effective ways we have, and yet far too many schools do not have music or drama programs or teachers. I intend to lobby for expanded support for the training of music and drama teachers, and increased facilities and equipment, to ensure every kid has equal access.

ARTbeat - THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

Art in all its forms is immensely effective when it comes to helping and healing people - reducing hospital visits and reliance on medications. By increasing access to art and music therapists, visual arts and crafts sessions, creative writing, and performance workshops, in hospitals, mental health facilities, disability support environments, and regional and remote communities, we boost social and community connection, and improve both physical and mental health outcomes for everyone involved.

CYBERSECURITY INCUBATION HUB

Cybersecurity, a $10 billion industry in Australia, is only getting bigger, and the games industry, worth about $4.4 billion across the country, is also growing at a rapid rate. We can support the growth of both of these sectors in Tasmania, by setting up a central ICT and game incubation hub - running relevant VET courses, and providing mentoring and support to those interested in working in the sector - a sector which recognises the benefits of, and actively engages in, working with people with neurodivergence.


IF IT HAPPENS, LET’S MAKE IT WORK FOR THE ARTS AS WELL AS SPORT!

Tasmania deserves its own football team, and although I support that, I’m not happy about the way our hand has been forced to accept the new stadium, with a roof, at Macquarie Point, I think there are better options. That said, I’m not running on a for or against stadium platform, I’m running on an Arts one, so, although I will enthusiastically engage in conversations about alternative locations, if the stadium goes ahead, wherever it happens, let’s make it work for the broader community, and that has to include Arts. I will push for - 1% of the total infrastructure cost to directly fund an artistic project at the site; the facilities to be suitable for theatre, concerts and festivals, with a modular stage system, fly towers, backstage wings, green rooms and rehearsal spaces (this will need to include the roof as part of the plan); and locked-in community access for free or discounted use by non-profits/schools/youth projects. Don’t invite the Arts in later, let them be part of the blueprint.


$1 FOR ART

Tourism in Tasmania is a $3.96 billion industry, and every tourist benefits from the arts we have on offer - some even come specifically for the art (thank you MONA and Dark Mofo!) I aim to lobby for a $1 a night hotel levy that will go directly into an Arts and Cultural Fund, to fund more public art, regional performances and creative experiences for tourists to enjoy.

CHANGE THE DATE

There is no justifiable reason for anyone to celebrate anything on a particular date if doing so causes upset and trauma to others. Australia Day should be an opportunity for all Australians to acknowledge what it means to live in and love this beautiful country. Whether you moved here last week, you’re a fifth generation Tasmanian, or your ancestors walked these lands tens of thousands of years ago, the government should respect everyone equally and show that respect by changing the date. There have been many good suggestions and I will push for Tasmania to be the first state to set a new date to celebrate a day we can all be proud of. Always was, always will be.

PAWS FOR CHANGE

Stray and abandoned cats are a major problem in Tasmania, with all of the cat centres in the state completely overwhelmed with demand, and all lacking in financial support. Cats are being euthanised on a regular basis because these places are unable to find suitable homes for them. On the flip side, there are many inmates in our prisons in need of emotional support animals to get them through the toughest time in their lives. I propose a scheme, similar to the Second Chance program at Brisbane Women’s Prison, whereby inmates foster cats in a mutually beneficial arrangement, reducing recidivism of prisoners, rates of euthanasia of animals, and improving mental health outcomes.


ANIMAL FEED FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

Animals are our best friends, and when we have to decide between feeding ourselves and feeding them, due to the cost of living pressures or homelessness, we will often choose them. But no one should have to make that decision. I will call for a government-funded, community administered scheme that provides anyone experiencing financial hardship or homelessness, with free food for their pets.

CREATIVE ARTS HUB

Tasmanian creatives must be supported for their industries to thrive. I will propose the government invest in infrastructure, in the form of a state-owned, industry-managed Creative Arts Hub - servicing film & TV, theatre, games, content creation, photography, animation, music, sound and dance. The Hub will feature purpose built film and recording studios, alongside flexible spaces for learning, production offices, workshops, storage and essential amenities.


PORTABLE LONG SERVICE LEAVE

The construction sector has had a portable long service leave program in place in this state now for nearly 30 years. It is time this scheme was extended to all sectors of our economy, and I will move to pilot this in the Arts sector in the first instance.

CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET

Child safety is chronically underresourced and it is having a seriously detrimental impact on the wellbeing of children in Tasmania. I will push for a three pronged approach - early intervention and family support including parenting programs and mental health support; a huge increase in funding and training for child safety officers; and foster collaboration between and among various sectors to ensure care models that keep children within their communities, to maintain cultural and familial connections.

YOUTH CRIME - PREVENTATIVE JUSTICE

Everyone, regardless of age, needs two things to thrive in life - love and support - and when we don’t have those, we react in often unpredictable and unpleasant ways, just to get attention, with crime being a very common one. In Tasmania, we are not supporting our young people enough to prevent them going down that route, and that needs to change. I propose setting up facilities - Dad’s Shed’s - across the state, where our young people can go after school, in the evenings, and at weekends - to engage in activities that peak their interest, learn new skills, and have a safe space with boundaries to spend time with friends, all while being respected and supported by on site social workers and psychologists. Having a mechanic bay and old cars to work on, a workshop with tools and equipment to learn skills like woodworking and blacksmithing, kitchens to learn cooking, and places to relax, listen to music, eat, create art, and spend time with friends.


YOUTH CRIME – RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Whatever we’re doing right now, isn’t working. Youth crime is a problem and punishment of these kids is not the answer. Restorative justice has proven to be effective around the world. Young offenders, once charged, will be paired with a lived experience mentor, where they will learn emotional literacy and accountability. These young people will be supported to make better choices moving forward including assistance with job seeking and apprenticeships, education, and mental health.


PAWS FOR CHANGE

Stray and abandoned cats are a major problem in Tasmania, with all of the cat centres in the state completely overwhelmed with demand, and all lacking in financial support. Cats are being euthanised on a regular basis because these places are unable to find suitable homes for them. On the flip side, there are many inmates in our prisons in need of emotional support animals to get them through the toughest time in their lives. I propose a scheme, similar to the Second Chance program at Brisbane Women’s Prison, whereby inmates foster cats in a mutually beneficial arrangement, reducing recidivism of prisoners, rates of euthanasia of animals, and improving mental health outcomes.

MUSIC & DRAMA IN SCHOOLS

Being a young person is hard - hormones, school, family, friendships, relationships - students need ways of being able to understand themselves and the world around them, and learn new ways of being able to express themselves. Music and drama are some of the most effective ways we have, and yet far too many schools do not have music or drama programs or teachers. I intend to lobby for supported training of music and drama teachers, and increased facilities and equipment, to ensure every kid has equal access.

NATIVE FOREST LOGGING

We can’t keep promoting Tasmania as clean and green if we’re not protecting the forests and animals we put on our brochures. We should stop the clear felling and logging of old growth forests, and encourage sustainable timber conservation and plantation management. Protecting the environment doesn’t mean destroying jobs either, it means creating better ones. If we increase training for current forestry workers we can have a thriving environment and booming economy.

ARTbeat - THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE COMMUNITY

Art in all its forms is immensely effective when it comes to helping and healing people - reducing hospital visits and reliance on medications. By increasing access to art and music therapists, visual arts and crafts sessions, creative writing, and performance workshops, in hospitals, mental health facilities, disability support environments, and regional and remote communities, we boost social and community connection, and improve both physical and mental health outcomes for everyone involved.


ADHD & Autism

Assessments, diagnoses and medications are, for many, the only way to be supported as a neurodivergent person living in a neurotypical world, but they are all unnecessarily expensive, often making them completely inaccessible. I believe everyone should have access to the most basic healthcare, regardless of their financial status. As someone who lives with ADHD myself, I will push for the whole process to be made easier - simpler applications; increase the capacity of medical professionals - but not necessarily the already overworked GP’s - to provide assessments; subsidise assessments and all surrounding appointments; and enable GP’s to prescribe and adjust ADHD medication - in line with other states in Australia. These problems are fixable, we just need to have care and compassion with our solutions, and prioritise people over money.


INCREASE AFTER HOURS AND URGENT CARE CLINICS

As the saying goes, “a problem shared is a problem halved”. To reduce the immense strain on our hospital system, I firmly believe that we need to increase access to after hours GP’s and Urgent Care Clinics across the state, and provide them with additional equipment such as ultrasound and x-ray machines, to enable them to deal with more minor cases and leave the hospitals to manage the emergency and life threatening situations. I will work in partnership with the Government and our federal representatives to make these improvements a reality.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT

Finding yourself in a domestic violence situation is scary enough, but not being able to leave because there is nowhere safe to go, or if you find somewhere, but can’t afford to pay removal costs, having to decide between leaving everything behind, or staying in an unsafe environment, is not a choice anyone should have to make. We urgently need more domestic violence emergency accommodation, and I will push for subsidisation of removal costs for anyone that needs it.


A PLACE TO CALL HOME

Shelter is a basic human right, and yet over 2,300 people in Tasmania are experiencing homelessness right now. There’s a simple fix - just give everyone a home. Once people have a place to live, it’s easier to sort out whatever else is going on - addictions, unemployment, mental and physical health issues, education, etc. The cost of building enough tiny homes to combat this issue is less than the government is already choosing to spend on crisis accommodation and hospital visits for those same people.

FIVE YEAR LEASES

We should allow renters to sign five year leases, giving both parties peace of mind and stability. The bond can be larger to compensate for damages, but this can be paid in instalments over the first 6 months. Renters should be allowed to paint the property and have pets, as long as the property is returned to its original condition prior to moving out.

IF IT HAPPENS, LET’S MAKE IT WORK FOR THE ARTS AS WELL AS SPORT!

Tasmania deserves its own football team, and although I support that, I’m not happy about the way our hand has been forced to accept the new stadium, with a roof, at Macquarie Point, I think there are better options. That said, I’m not running on a for or against stadium platform, I’m running on an Arts one, so, although I will enthusiastically engage in conversations about alternative locations, if the stadium goes ahead, wherever it happens, let’s make it work for the broader community, and that has to include Arts. I will push for - 1% of the total infrastructure cost to directly fund an artistic project at the site; the facilities to be suitable for theatre, concerts and festivals, with a modular stage system, fly towers, backstage wings, green rooms and rehearsal spaces (this will need to include the roof as part of the plan); and locked-in community access for free or discounted use by non-profits/schools/youth projects. Don’t invite the Arts in later, let them be part of the blueprint.

CYBERSECURITY INCUBATION HUB

Cybersecurity, a $10 billion industry in Australia, is only getting bigger, and the games industry, worth about $4.4 billion across the country, is also growing at a rapid rate. We can support the growth of both of these sectors in Tasmania, by setting up a central ICT and game incubation hub - running relevant VET courses, and providing mentoring and support to those interested in working in the sector - a sector which recognises the benefits of, and actively engages in, working with people with neurodivergence.


AI SERVER FARMS

Our state budget is currently in the red, and we need to think of innovative ways to bring in more revenue. Artificial Intelligence server farms need space, separation from the main power grid, and access to water, to power fans to cool the servers. The Tasmanian government could incentivise tech companies to set up or relocate to Tasmania and set up AI server farms, as a way of diversifying Hydro Tasmania’s income stream and providing jobs.

$1 FOR ART

Tourism in Tasmania is a $3.96 billion industry, and every tourist benefits from the Arts we have on offer - some even come specifically for the art (thank you MONA and Dark Mofo!) I aim to lobby for a $1 a night hotel levy that will go directly into an Arts and Cultural Fund, to fund more public art, regional performances and creative experiences for tourists to enjoy.

BUSES FOR STUDENTS

Students in full or part-time education should have completely free access to buses around Tasmania, removing the cost barrier for getting to school, part-time jobs, and enabling them to spend time with friends and family without fear of being left out or stranded due to insufficient funds. There should also be an overhaul of the routes of buses to ensure that students are able to get from home to school in as few trips as possible.