Tasmanians for a Better Future
Encyclopedia
Tasmanians for a Better Future is a group of concerned business and community members that was formed in the lead up to the 2006 Tasmanian state election.
The group placed many advertisements encouraging people to vote for majority government to avoid risking a minority government
being elected, which they argued would be disastrous for commerce and industry within the state. Prior minority governments during 1990s had presided over rising unemployment and state debt, negative growth and falling business investment, with pro-environmental, anti-business legislation forced upon by the Tasmanian Greens
considered partly to blame.
There is anecdotal evidence that the campaign was a success. Polling prior to election day had indicated a strong chance of Labor losing its majority in the Lower House. Labor however maintained its 14 seats despite a 2.6% swing against to form a new majority government. The Greens similarly suffered a 1.5% swing against and came very close to losing 2 of its 4 seats and its major party status in parliament. Despite a swing of 4.4% in favour, the Liberals were not able to improve upon their existing 7 seats.
The advertisements were under the name of Tony Harrison
, who runs the Corporate Communications public relations
company.
The group placed many advertisements encouraging people to vote for majority government to avoid risking a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
being elected, which they argued would be disastrous for commerce and industry within the state. Prior minority governments during 1990s had presided over rising unemployment and state debt, negative growth and falling business investment, with pro-environmental, anti-business legislation forced upon by the Tasmanian Greens
Tasmanian Greens
The Tasmanian Greens are a political party in Australia which developed from numerous environmental campaigns in Tasmania, including the flooding of Lake Pedder and the Franklin Dam campaign...
considered partly to blame.
There is anecdotal evidence that the campaign was a success. Polling prior to election day had indicated a strong chance of Labor losing its majority in the Lower House. Labor however maintained its 14 seats despite a 2.6% swing against to form a new majority government. The Greens similarly suffered a 1.5% swing against and came very close to losing 2 of its 4 seats and its major party status in parliament. Despite a swing of 4.4% in favour, the Liberals were not able to improve upon their existing 7 seats.
The advertisements were under the name of Tony Harrison
Tony Harrison (lobbyist)
Tony Harrison is a communications consultant from Tasmania who has worked in journalism and public relations, marketing and government relations. He is a former political journalist and former press secretary to two Tasmanian Premiers. Tony Harrison was a former corporate affairs manager with the...
, who runs the Corporate Communications public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
company.