Not About Colours, But About Commitment: Time to Get On With the Job

Last Monday, 21 July 2025, I stood with Premier Jeremy Rockliff at our Devonport warehouse, not because of political colours, whether red, blue, green or independent. I stood there because, having worked alongside Jeremy on food security and other community issues, I believe his desire to get the job done is real.

Tasmania is facing some serious challenges, not just financially, but in ways that are hitting everyday people hard. The pressure is felt first by those doing it toughest, and also by those doing their best to help. But with genuine collaboration between government, business, and community, we can build a state known not just for its beauty, but for its bold, practical solutions and deep care for its people.

That said, we need to get on with it. Now. The playing of politics needs to stop.

It’s time for those elected in last Saturday’s election to step up, form a stable government, and get to work on the big issues, food insecurity, cost-of-living pressures, social isolation, and more. No more stalling. No more point-scoring. Just action, partnership, and momentum.

That call isn’t just coming from one sector, it’s being echoed across Tasmania. Business leaders are calling for certainty. Community services are calling for clarity and support. Everyday Tasmanian’s are calling for leadership. As the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry rightly said this week:

“People expect the parliament to get back to work.”
So do we.

Let’s be clear: getting on with the job doesn’t mean doing things the way they’ve always been done. The old models aren’t enough. We need innovation, not repetition. We need to back fresh thinking, local solutions, and practical approaches that deliver real outcomes, not just more paperwork or programs that look good on paper.

Across the board—politics, community organisations, even within our own sectors—we need to move past the habits of brand protection and self-preservation.

Innovation calls us forward. It asks us to take risks, work together, and harness the power of collaborative strength. The future demands shared purpose, not siloed effort.

As economist Mark Bowles noted this week, Tasmania’s future prosperity lies not in headline projects, but in backing the “extraordinary” businesses and individuals already delivering long-term value, quietly, effectively, and often under the radar. These are the changemakers who are getting on with it, regardless of who’s in power.

At Loaves and Fishes Tasmania, we’re dedicated to being a part of that shift. We’re not just handing out food, we’re rebuilding food systems. We’re not just meeting needs, we’re creating jobs, supporting Tassie producers, and partnering with more than 270 local organisations to deliver nutritious, local meals with dignity. We’re not doing the same old, we’re doing what works.

Because solving big problems takes more than goodwill. It takes systems that are smarter, more joined up, and future-focused. It takes contracts that reward outcomes. Procurement that values local. Policy that reflects what’s actually working on the ground.

The future of Tasmania won’t be defined by slogans or stadiums or political deals. It will be shaped by people who turn up every day—innovators, collaborators, community-builders, who refuse to settle for the status quo.

To those elected: congratulations.

Now is not the time to go back to business as usual.
Now is the time to lead differently, and work with those already re-imagining what’s possible.

The election is over. The people have spoken.
Let’s form a government—and get on with the job.

Andrew Hillier, CEO, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania

One of our fantastic volunteers, Deb, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff at our Devonport warehouse – 29 July 2025.