On Aird - Tasmanian Politics Show

Following last week’s discussion about the challenges of crafting and controlling a public image in modern politics, there have been several incidents this week that highlight how it can go wrong. We also discuss Labor’s new immigration plans, which attempt to neutralise One Nation without alienating new Australians or crippling the economy. 

We're back after a few weeks away to discuss TT Line's debt woes, changes to Tasmania's gun laws and the short stay accommodation levy. In the wake of some social media miss-steps we also discuss the importance of image in modern politics - is there too much pressure on politicians to perform rather than just get on with the job?

Parliaments are back from the winter break, and so are we. It seems every announcement and report brings more bad news about Tasmania's government - growing debt, dodgy spending, lack of accountability and no big ideas to take the state forward. We discuss the reforms of previous Labor Governments and the growing urgency to do more than tinker around the edges.

We're joined by award winning Tasmanian political journalist David Killick to discuss the National Labor Conference, the Victorian leadership change and One Nation's changing fortunes. There are also some infrastructure questions for the Tasmanian Government to answer.

Recent polling has Tasmanian Labor slumping to a record low 21% support, prompting media reports that Josh Willie’s leadership is under threat. In response he has set a goal to get that figure up to 30% by the end of the year. We discuss the internal dissent, the 30% target and the prospects ofturning Labor’s fortunes around.

Recent polling shows Australians are growing more concerned about the world, less hopeful about the future and more concerned about Australia's immigration intake. And polls also suggest that more and more people think One Nation could be the answer to their problems. Why, and will it last?

There's never a dull moment in Tasmanian politics, and the past fortnight has brought 2 Ministerial resignations and a successful censure motion against the Premier. What does that actually mean? Meanwhile, Pauline Hanson has sought to build legitimacy by addressing the National Press Club for the first time in her 30 year political career. How seriously should her messages be taken?

An updated report on the Mac Point Stadium by renowned economist Nicholas Gruen suggests costs could potentially blow out to more than $1.8 million and saddle Tasmanians with more than $2 billion of additional debt by 2040. All but the most die-hard stadium backers must be concerned about the escalating cost estimates, given the state's already dire financial position. So where to from here, and how can Labor fulfill its promise to hold the government to account on the stadium project?

In an effort to rein in Tasmania’s ballooning state debt, Eric Abetz’s 2026 budget takes a knife (or, according to Shadow Treasurer Dean Winter, a chainsaw) to the public service. With little offered in the way of specifics and no revenue raising measures in sight, how likely is it that this approach will succeed? And what should we expect from Labor in response?

We unpick the politics behind the 2026 Federal Budget, which includes a range of tax reforms aimed at addressing intergenerational inequity. While it's not without risk, is it a budget whose time has come?