On 19th July 2025, Independent Peter George was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in electorate of Franklin.
Thanks to an exuberant campaign that attracted over 600 volunteers, Peter won the seat convincingly on first preference votes - the only candidate in Franklin to do so.
As a Community Independent Peter is accountable only to the people of Franklin, not to lobbyists, political parties or their corporate donors.
Peter is your Independent voice in Parliament. He wants to hear from you!
Thursday, August 20:
At the end of each parliamentary day, there’s an opportunity for all members to deliver a 5-minute “adjournment” speech on any subject they choose.
Last night it was an honour - a sad honour - to bid farewell to a friend and great Tasmanian, Kraig Carlstrom who died suddenly last week.
With deep condolences to his wife, Carolyn: Valé Kraig.
Wednesday, August 19:
Parliament can be extraordinarily frustrating, especially when Liberal and Labor gang up to defeat cross bench measures that might hurt their self-interests.
Today, it happened during a motion calling on the government to introduce tighter and more transparent measures to prevent “pork barrelling” when discretionary government funds are used for political purposes.
It would have tied Tasmania to much more transparent Federal guidelines … but it was not to be.
For those interested, we’ll soon put the speech up here: https://petergeorgeforfranklin.com
Tuesday, August 18:
Rarely in Parliament have I found myself caught on the horns of a dilemma but that’s what happened today on, of all things, raising penalties for vandalising war memorials in Tasmania.
It might have been a straight forward “Aye” but as a matter of legal principle, I voted “No” - but the legislation was passed with a big majority.
A very difficult decision on the day when we honour servicemen who fought and died in the Vietnam War.
You can find the reasons here: https://petergeorgeforfranklin.com/index.php/2026/08/18/speech-war-memorials/
Thursday, August 13:
Avoid … Record … Report
Now that bird flu’s confirmed on the island (just one bird, to date) that’s the message health and animal authorities want Tasmanians to hear.
In the wake of the news, MPs were given the briefing I’d asked the Premier for on the whole-of-government response.
So, if you see a bird that appears to be suffering or a carcass, here’s what to do:
Avoid: Do not touch.
Record: Take a photo with a mobile phone.
Report: Send the photo and the location to: 1800 675 888.
More info here: https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/poultry-and-pigeons/bird-flu
Wednesday, August 12:
More evidence today that Liberal and Labor are simply spineless when it comes to dealing with the salmon industry.
There years ago, the government promised to start closing flow-through salmon hatcheries on our rivers, accepting the recycling technology (RAS) is widely used globally and has a far better outcome for river health and the general environment.
So I moved a motion in Parliament today setting a three-year window deadline to transition to RAS - there are eight already in Tasmania but 14 flow-through or hybrid hatcheries remaining.
It’d be a win for our rivers as well as creating some useful jobs and possibly a step completely land-based salmon farms.
This should have been a no-brainer but … no … the Lib-Lab “coalition” backed polluting salmon hatcheries over cleaning up our rivers.
https://youtu.be/ZIZBsETgTQo
Tuesday, August 11
Thanks to all who took the trouble to answer the call to a snap protest outside Parliament House at lunch time, mid-week.
The EPA’s terrible decision to allow Tassal fish pens to stay in Long Bay has only served to re-energise the communities that elected me to be their spokesperson in Parliament.
I’ll be moving a motion in Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday) call for all flow-through salmon hatcheries to be transitioned to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to stop salmon effluent from polluting our waterways - including on the Derwent River water catchment.
It’s a reasonable ask but let’s see whether Liberal and Labor are prepared to act to protect our waterways - or will go on letting the industry do whatever it wants.
Monday, August 10:
Not so long ago, the CWA looked like it might become a treasured part of Australian history but the determination of new generations proved just how resilient it is.
Lindisfarne CWA has turned 85 years old and was honoured by the Governor, the Hon Caroline Wells at a function to which I (& other MPs) was invited.
As ever, the welcome was warm & the scones, jam & cream went down well.
Thanks to all
Tomorrow on Parliament Lawns, Nipaluna Hobart, I’ll be joining communities who have been fighting to have polluting salmon farms removed from Long Bay, near World Heritage site Port Arthur.
Independent science has documented years of degradation to this area which should be pristine.
1pm
Parliament Lawns
Tuesday 11th August 2026
