Landlords not shareholders: Tasmanian MPs declare their interests
The state’s politicians have revealed their register of interests, and there are some surprises – with 24 lower house members owning an interest in 46 properties between them. SEE THE LIST >>
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TASMANIAN MPs prefer to invest in property rather than shares, with 24 lower house members owning an interest in 46 properties between them.
The latest update to the Register of Members Interests reveals most MPs enjoy modest wealth — with a family home and perhaps a shack being the most common declaration.
Mark Shelton emerged at the most enthusiastic property investor in the House of Assembly, with an interest in seven properties in Bracknell, Cressy and Port Sorell.
Liberals Elise Archer, Guy Barnett, Sarah Courtney, Roger Jaensch and Nic Street and Labor’s Anita Dow, Ella Haddad, Jennifer Houston, Alison Standen, David O’Byrne and Michelle O’Byrne declared interest in a single property each.
Premier Peter Gutwein and Liberal MP Jacquie Petrustma; Labor’s Rebecca White, Shane Broad and Jenna Butler and Greens member Rosalie Woodruff declared an interest in two properties each.
Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Speaker Sue Hickey, independent Madeleine Ogilvie and Greens leader Cassy O’Connor declared interests in three properties each and Liberals Micheal Ferguson and John Tucker declared four.
Most MPs declared no shareholdings, although MyState shares were the most popular among the eight equities investors.
Shareholdings appeared modest and were generally in blue-chip companies.
Roger Jaensch was the Warren Buffett of the house, with holdings in Woolworths, Wesfarmers, the Commonwealth Bank and Coles.
Qantas and Virgin Lounge memberships were common, each of the party leaders and most ministers declared having received memberships as gifts.
Labor’s deputy leader Michelle O’Byrne was the champion joiner: declaring memberships of 24 different organisations, including the Collingwood Football Club.
Premier Peter Gutwein declared patronages or vice patronages of 16 organisations, Elise Archer declared 11, and Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff, nine.
New MP Felix Ellis’ declaration was not published on the Parliamentary website and the Legislative Council’s register has not yet been updated this year.
A government spokeswoman said new members had three months from the date they were elected to complete a Register of Members’ Interests return.
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