Andrew Wilkie MP

CGT and negative gearing concessions were overly generous and helped fuel the housing crisis. I supported today’s changes, as I’ve long campaigned for reform. As things stand at the moment however the Gov has a lot of work to do to get the rest (e.g. trust changes) done right. #auspol #politas

AUKUS is the biggest defence project in Australian history and yet it still hasn't been properly scrutinised. Good on the Australian Peace and Security Forum for establishing the AUKUS Public Inquiry. Submissions can be made here aukuspublicinquiry.netlify.app #auspol #politas

These are just some of the reasons the Parliament should get to work on passing a national Human Rights Act like the one I tabled this week #auspol #politas

The NDIS changes were debated in Parliament last night and I made a point of giving voice to a family that would be impacted by the proposed reforms. Yes reform is needed, but not like this. This bill will be detrimental for many NDIS participants and unless it's amended I will oppose it. #auspol

Australia has much more to do to address men’s violence against women. This Gov is doing better than its predecessors, but women are still being attacked and murdered. We must listen better to advocates, survivors and families because they know what else must be done #auspol #politas

The ICJ has ruled that govts and orgs are obliged not to lend any form of support to illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine. So I again implore the Aus Govt to take meaningful action to hold Israel to account. To do anything less makes us complicit. #politas #auspol

Wonderful to get confirmation today that the Defence and Veterans’ Workshop will remain at Dowsing Point. Supporting veterans since 1980 the workshop is an essential service, especially in light of the findings of the recent Defence and Veteran Royal Commission. #auspol #politas

My Human Rights Bill tabled today spells out in plain terms, the rights and freedoms that everyone in Australia is entitled to. It requires that fairness, respect, dignity and compassion must be put at the centre of all government decision and polices. #auspol #politas

Animal welfare protections remain patchwork and woefully inadequate in Australia, and it’s way past time to establish a national Independent Office for Animal Welfare. #auspol #politas

Possible baby steps when giant strides are needed on gambling reform #auspol #politas

The fuel and cost-of-living crises are hitting hard. But there is simply no excuse for anyone going hungry in one of the richest countries in the world. Many Australians are in need of emergency food relief because the Gov's priorities are currently wrong #auspol #politas

Teachers do an important job under a lot of pressure and they deserve to be recognised and paid appropriately #auspol #politas

Honoured to second Kate Chaney's bill to ban gambling ads today. It's good policy and Australians want it. If the Gov is too scared to stand up on this, they should at least get out of the way and let others do it for them #auspol #politas

The PM must stop blocking gambling reform. #ausol #politas

The PM is gaslighting us into thinking the work on gambling reform is done. But it’s over 1000 days since the Murphy report and the Gov hasn’t implemented a single recommendation. They should be ashamed. #auspol #politas

If you’re in Canberra this Wednesday night come along to this screening of the documentary Love Letter to the Unseen, which follows youth conservationist Spencer Hitchen on a journey to understand the Maugean Skate and the threats it faces. events.humanitix.com/national-fil...

Tasmania would be acutely affected by any shortage of the marine fuel oils which ensure ppl and goods can come and go from our island. Fed and Tas Gov need to ensure they’re paying close attention to the situation and not just focusing on cars, trucks and planes #politas #auspol

Climate disasters are getting worse and costing more. The question isn’t if we can afford to act, but why Govs allow the biggest climate vandals to avoid paying their fair share. Today I tabled @TheAusInstitute petition calling for a Climate Disaster Levy now. #auspol #politas

It’s pretty clear that Australians are being price-gouged at the bowser. The Gov can’t just use Iran as an excuse, they should take action now to ensure prices are fair #auspol #politas

Tassie has a once-in-a-generation, nation-leading opportunity to end a cruel, unpopular and outdated industry, and Tassie owes it to the dogs to get it done. Tasmanians, contact your LegCo members to tell them you want the greyhound racing ban passed. #auspol #politas

The gov’t remains determined to as good as disappear the benchmark Murphy report into gambling reform, and its key recommendation to ban gambling advertising. The PM needs to be called out as the one blocking an ad ban. #politas #auspol

Ludicrous and entirely avoidable that health care is still a postcode lottery in a country as rich as Australia. GP bulk-billing in Hobart is still much lower than the average, and Tasmania also lagging behind on most other measures. #auspol #politas

I’m no fan of the Iranian regime, but the attacks on Iran are patently illegal. It’s galling that rather than standing up in defence of international law, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have as good as cheered the US and Israel on for this latest illegal action. #auspol #politas

AEC proposes big change to all of Southern Tasmania’s electorates. It will make for a fascinating contest, including for state MPs whose boundaries are the same. For me? Bring it on!

Lots of blame shifting but no mention of penalties. And all the while the Tasmanian environment and community are put at risk. #auspol #politas

We are on the cusp of the greatest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. Without action, it risks deepening inequality particularly on housing. Thank you to Marcus, 18, for reminding Parl we must act boldly now so the next generation can survive & prosper. #auspol #politas

Reform of the Defence Estate is warranted but will be confronting for some in the community. So the Gov must continue to push information out & be open-minded to feedback. After all, flexibility in war is much better than reinforcing defeat. #auspol #politas

4Corners last night was compelling tv. But its claims about the tragedy at Bondi are contested, which is why we need the Royal Commission to get to the bottom of these matters.

I welcome the news that the Anglesea Barracks site is secure & receiving additional funding. However, further details on the Derwent Barracks closure are needed & I will be encouraging the Gov to ensure the land is used for housing & much needed community infrastructure. #politas #auspol

I didn’t vote for the social media ban; the real issue has always been tech companies allowing harmful behaviour to run rampant on their platforms. But with the ban in place, the Govt mustn’t forget to ensure social media platforms also clean up their act. #auspol #politas

The amended environmental laws are not perfect, but there is at least some more protection for the environment. Laws should never remain stagnant, so I will continue to push for improvements that prioritise the environment over vested interests. #auspol #politas

Tell the PM he’s dreaming if he thinks the issue of banning gambling ads is going to go away in the new year. The Parliament can no longer ignore the devastating impacts of gambling on Australians. The pressure for reform will only increase #auspol #politas

It’s clear that there’s momentum from across the Parliament for a free vote as the way to solve the gambling reform paralysis. While my motion today didn’t pass, the PM would be wise to start listening and act #auspol #politas

I asked the Prime Minister to allow Labor MPs a free vote on banning gambling advertising. His response? The same old guff to sidestep the uncomfortable reality that he’s the one holding this reform back #auspol #politas

It would be gross negligence if the Fed Gov & state govs were to wait for another catastrophic bushfire event & absolve themselves by claiming it was unprecedented. Gov’s must pull every lever available to assist the experts in protecting Australians. #auspol #politas

Greyhound racing is a deeply unpopular and cruel industry that is propped up by online wagering. It is beyond time to ban online betting on greyhounds & hasten the industry’s demise. #auspol #politas

An upgraded security treaty with Indonesia is significant & a welcome return to seeking our security in the region rather than from it. Of course, details matter & what lies behind the agreement still remains to be seen #auspol #politas

The Gov’s FOI bill makes it harder for the public to access info and easier for govs to hide it. Protecting public servants’ frank and fearless advice is an excuse, covering up gov missteps and mischief is the reality. My experience in 2003 tells that story. #auspol #politas

In introducing these environmental law reforms, the gov forgot the word ‘protection’. A slip of the tongue that tells us all we need to know about the so-called reforms. If these laws pass, environment ministers are sure to oversee the next mass extinction event #auspol #politas

Aged care providers shouldn’t be balancing their books off the back of vulnerable older Australian’s who are stretching every dollar to remain at home safe and independent. The Government must ensure older Australians get the care they pay for. #auspol #politas

Despite the incompetent state gov, Tas still boast an incredible unique environment, world leading sustainability initiatives & fabulous tourism opportunities. Tas is small but mighty & really is the jewel in Australia’s crown. #auspol #politas

The Gov’s boost to bulk-billing incentives is welcome but they are not being honest when they say there is a ‘surge’ in bulk billing GPs in Tassie. There is no doubt we need to strengthen primary care, but we need more than this parsimonious approach. #auspol #politas

Aus is supposed to be a country where the rule of law & natural justice applies. The Gov’s sneaky attempt to strip welfare from people before they’ve been convicted of any crime is a fundamental breach of these principles. We may as well dissolve the court system. #auspol #politas

We haven’t only just seen a brazen attempt to wind back transparency from this Gov, it’s been much more insidious than that. And it’s eroding trust, building community frustration & weakening our democracy. #politas #auspol

For all the Fed Gov’s talk about domestic emissions reduction, they’re still dodging responsibility for the climate harm Aus exports daily. The ICJ’s recent ruling should be a wake-up call. #auspol #politas

There’s no excuse for the Federal Government’s refusal to ban gambling adverting. Shameful that they don’t care about the harm of gambling addiction, and are scared stiff of the gambling & media companies and of the AFL & NRL #auspol #politas

Reintroducing a six-year limit on debt recovery was a key recommendation of the Robodebt Royal Commission. My amendment today would do just that #auspol #politas

When it comes to healthcare, Tasmanians are being left behind. I seconded Dr Helen Haines’ motion, because it’s not about getting more, it’s about fairness. Everyone deserves healthcare that works, no matter where they live. #politas #auspol

Since the Tas Gov and Opp won't listen to expert advice, represent the majority of Tasmanians and stand up to the AFL' s stadium shakedown tactics, it falls to crossbench parliamentarians and Mayors to do it. #politas #auspol

Today the Tas Govt officially binned the Planning Commission’s damning report into the proposed Mac Pt AFL stadium. But if the knuckleheads actually knew anything about ‘future prosperity’, they’d be focussed instead on essential infrastructure and services #auspol #politas

The Premier & the Opp Leader would build the stadium against the advice of every expert & the will of a majority of the community. And it’s our children & their children who will have to pay for it. Want a corflute? Go here nonewstadium.au/getasign/ #politas #auspol

Gambling regulation in Aus is a national disgrace. The govt has ignored the Murphy Report & repeatedly blocked my bill to hold gambling giants accountable. If they won’t listen to evidence, experts or the crossbench, they should at least listen to the community. #auspol #politas

It is blatantly obvious that our public health system cannot absorb the patient load if the 27-bed Hobart Clinic closes. State Gov needs to re-assess its priorities & negotiate to buy and operate the clinic #politas #auspol

Qantas is reviewing their Hobart base for QantasLink crew. Generations of Tasmanians, and hundreds of workers, have given their loyalty to the flying kangaroo, and to close the base would do nothing to repay that loyalty or improve QF’s corporate image #auspol #politas

The Australian Government paying hundreds of millions of dollars to Nauru to forcibly disappear migrants is immoral and illegal under international law, and outrageously expensive #auspol #politas

Federal FOI framework needs to be modernised to deal with unprecedented demand, AI etc. But any changes need to ensure we can all affordably exercise our fundamental right to access gov info #auspol #politas

Australian banks are turning a blind eye to harmful gambling behaviour. The tools exist to detect such harm so I can only assume it is wilful ignorance that’s holding them back. They must do better #auspol #politas

The Govt’s shocker deportation bill is a direct attack on the right to due process, a shameful insight into the deterrence & punishment at the heart of Aust’s asylum seeker policy, as well as contempt for the courts. Aus should be better than this #auspol #politas

I am heartened to hear that no conviction has been recorded against ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle. However, it should never have come to this because he should never have been charged for simply doing the right thing #auspol #politas

It’s 2yrs since the Robodebt Royal Commission & we are yet to see the Fed Gov legislate to stop it happening again. Well, I’ve now done the work for them & urge the Gov to come to the table on these reforms. We cannot allow a repeat of this shameful part of Aus history #auspol

A one-off cut to student debt is welcome, but better would be students not racking up the debt at all. After 3 years the Gov still hasn’t axed the Morrison-era increase to fees, & no one is talking about fee-free courses which is what is really needed #auspol #politas

Aus support for international law should not hinge on who’s committing the crime. It applies to everyone equally and our Govt undermines it at our own peril. Might does not make right. #auspol #politas

It's time for Liberal and Labor to pull their heads out of the sand and face the reality of a power-sharing Parliament in Tasmania.

Shameful that the govt dodged my question today on the rivers of Russian oil effectively supplying Australian bowsers. Yes it’s hard to prevent, but that’s not a good enough reason to ignore the issue & continue paying for Putin’s war. #politas #auspol

I discussed the conflict in Iran on ABC radio yesterday. Possibility of a ceasefire is obviously a good sign of de-escalation. But the Aus Gov’t prioritising our relationship with US over international law is deeply worrying. #politas #auspol

It is simply penny-pinching and cruel that the Federal Government makes people wait up to 15 months for Home Care Packages. This is an issue that could and should be resolved quickly.

On ABC Radio I discussed the review of the AUKUS deal by the US & the opportunity it provides for Aus. We could ditch nuclear submarines & instead go with technology we can afford & sustain, is better matched to our region & can be deployed in effective numbers. #politas #auspol

The Fed Gov needs to put a stop to the Americanisation of the health system. If Healthscope has shown us one thing, it’s that corporate self-interest is fundamentally at odds with the sustainable delivery of quality health care for the majority of Australians. #auspol #politas

Gambling reform is a vitally important area of public policy that is seized up because both major parties are significant beneficiaries of the gambling industry and are effectively running a protection racket for it.