Tasmania’s Struggle to Tax Space Fairly: Staunching the White Shoe Brigade

When we talk about the machinery behind power in Tasmania, the spotlight often misses those who operate in its shadows — the well-connected, the unaccountable, the ones with polished shoes and hidden hands.

The term "White Shoe Brigade" has long been used to describe those movers and shakers in politics, business, and real estate who wear their privilege like armor and wield it like a weapon. In Queensland, it referred to the shady elite who thrived during the Bjelke-Petersen era. In Tasmania, it takes on a more subtle but no less dangerous form: quiet influence, clubby networks, and power without scrutiny.

In early 2017, a wave of scrutiny engulfed Tasmania's federal MPs as revelations about their expenditure patterns came to light. Collectively, these representatives had spent nearly $3 million on travel, accommodation, and office-related expenses within a six-month period. Among them, Senator Stephen Parry's spending drew particular attention.

In 2014, then-Senator Stephen Parry disclosed his financial interests in the official Register of Senators’ Interests. Among his shareholdings was Grange Resources Limited, an Australian mining company operating the Savage River iron ore mine in northwest Tasmania.

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Senator Parry's investment in Grange Resources raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, especially considering his political roles and decisions related to the mining industry. For instance, during his tenure, he voted consistently against the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, a policy designed to ensure that Australians benefit from the country's mineral wealth. It's worth noting that, like other politicians such as Felix Ellis, Parry may have sold his shares, but without transparent disclosure, it's difficult to ascertain the current state of his investments.

ASX Code	Company Name
AFI	Australian Foundation Investment Company
AGS	Alliance Resources Ltd
ANZ	Australia and New Zealand Banking Group
BHP	BHP Group Ltd
BSM	Bass Metals Ltd (now delisted/renamed)
CDU	CuDeco Ltd (delisted)
DUE	DUET Group (acquired by CKI in 2017)
EGN	Engenco Ltd
ELD	Elders Ltd
FMS	Flinders Mines Ltd
FNT	Frontier Resources Ltd
GBG	Gindalbie Metals Ltd (delisted)
GRR	Grange Resources Ltd
INL	Inland Rail Ltd or similar (unclear)
IRD	Iron Road Ltd
KGL	KGL Resources Ltd
MAE	Macarthur Minerals Ltd
MEL	Metgasco Ltd
NAB	National Australia Bank Ltd
OZL	OZ Minerals Ltd (acquired by BHP in 2023)
PDY	Padbury Mining Ltd (now defunct)
PRM	Prominence Energy Ltd
SCI	Silver City Minerals Ltd
SFH	Specialty Fashion Group (now City Chic)
SOP	Synertec Corporation Ltd
SRZ	Stellar Resources Ltd
TLS	Telstra Corporation Ltd

While there is no evidence of direct misconduct, the overlap between Senator Parry's financial interests and his political actions underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public office. It highlights the need for robust mechanisms to manage and disclose potential conflicts to maintain public trust in governmental institutions.

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Ben Maynard serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Grange Resources, a prominent Australian mining company known for its integrated iron ore mining and pellet production operations, particularly at the Savage River project in northwest Tasmania. With over two decades of experience in the mining industry, Maynard has held various leadership roles at Grange Resources since joining the company in 2008. His expertise spans geology, information technology, business improvement, and technical services, contributing significantly to the company's operational efficiency and strategic planning.

In addition to his role at Grange Resources, Ben Maynard holds the position of President at the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC). TMEC is an industry body that represents the interests of Tasmania's mining, manufacturing, and energy sectors. As President, Maynard plays a pivotal role in advocating for policies and initiatives that support the sustainable development and growth of these industries within the state.

Working alongside Maynard at TMEC is Ray Mostogl, who serves as the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the council.

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Joining Nick Steel (right) are from (left): Michael Bailey from TCCI, Ian Jones from Clean Energy Tasmania, Ray Mostogl from TMEC and Luke Martin from Salmon Tasmania

TFPA Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel joined with other industry associations at De Bruyn’s Transport in Wesley Vale to call for all candidates in next year’s federal election to back seven key priorities to promote jobs in regional Tasmania.

The seven priorities are:

· Commit to a sustainable future for Tasmania’s forest sector

· Modernise the TFES to make it fairer for exporters

· Lock in Marinus Link 

· Back job-creating, energy-generating projects like the Robbins Island wind farm 

· Commit to supporting for a sustainable salmon industry, especially in Macquarie Harbour ·

Reform environmental laws at federal level, especially the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act); and

· Acknowledge the Tarkine is and has been a mixed land-use zone for over a century and agree there is no case to change the classification of the region and allow compliant development applications to proceed.

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FontCast is a podcast hosted by Stansfield, Townshend and regulars like Alex Johnston, Sam Ikin and David Killick

There is still uncertainty about whether Bradley James Stansfield is the same individual as Brad Stansfield from Font PR. However, a person with that name is listed as the 93rd member of the Liberal Party of Australia, Tasmanian Division.

The Tasmanian Lobbying Code of Conduct is set to be updated and come into effect on 1 January 2025. Since submitting the RTI, Becher Townshend has been elected as a Director of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI), perhaps just a coincidence.

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Becher is the Managing Director of Font PR, Tasmanian consultancy for Public Relations, Government Relations, and Campaigning. He also serves as a director at Font Publishing, which produces The Tasmanian Country, The Tasmanian Business Reporter, and several community newspapers, and he is a partner at Enterprise Market and Research Services, the leading research and marketing firm in Tasmania. Becher's primary focus is on providing strategic communications advice to businesses, the community sector, government enterprises, and local government. He joined the Board of the TCCI in 2024 and has been a Board member of the Tasmanian Small Business Council (TSBC) for 20 years.

Correspondence with Integrity Commission - April 10th 2025

Craig Garland, once hailed as an uncompromising political outsider and fierce critic of institutional power in Tasmania, now faces scrutiny over a perceived contradiction in his trajectory. Garland built his reputation by opposing elite interests, calling out government failures, and standing in solidarity with ordinary Tasmanians. However, as he appears to gain recognition or tacit approval from the same political establishment he once challenged—what some sarcastically refer to as a “good boy pat on the back”—questions arise about whether his outsider status remains intact.

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According to the most recent annual return filed by Tasmanian MP Felix Ellis, both he and his spouse, Margot Ellis, have divested their holdings in Vanguard Investments. The disclosure, dated 21 October 2024, indicates that they no longer hold shares in Vanguard funds, which are widely recognized for their diversified portfolios and low-cost index tracking. This move may reflect a strategic realignment of their personal investment portfolio or a proactive measure to avoid potential conflicts of interest, given Felix Ellis's roles as Minister for Housing, Planning and Consumer Affairs; Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management; and Minister for Skills and Training. The sale of these assets underscores the importance of transparency and ethical considerations for public officials in managing their financial interests.

Margot Ellis has embarked on a new professional journey as a Space Governance Research Officer at UNSW Canberra, collaborating with Dr. Duncan Blake on projects related to space law. Margot Ellis’s new appointment in a high-profile research role at UNSW Canberra, invites public scrutiny. Was the sale a routine financial decision, or a deliberate move to prevent any intersection between their private financial interests and public responsibilities?

In a meeting on Monday, I asked Craig Garland to raise a question in Parliament about whether Felix and Margot Ellis sold their shares in Vanguard Investments due to a potential conflict of interest. Rather than committing to raising the matter publicly, Craig responded that he would ask Felix Ellis privately. While his intention may have been to seek clarification directly, the decision not to pursue a public line of accountability highlights a concerning dynamic—one where matters of public interest are handled behind closed doors.

In that same meeting, I also asked Craig Garland to introduce a Space Rent or Space Tax into Parliament—a proposal aimed at addressing the growing concentration of economic and territorial control by private and state-backed entities in low Earth orbit and beyond. As Australia continues to invest in space infrastructure and research, particularly through institutions like UNSW Canberra where Margot Ellis now works in space governance, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that space remains a publicly accountable and equitably regulated domain. A Space Rent or Tax would serve to recapture value from commercial and extractive use of orbital real estate, encouraging responsible usage while generating revenue that could be reinvested into public science, space debris mitigation, and planetary stewardship. By bringing this issue into the legislative arena, we challenge the assumption that space is an unregulated frontier for profit and assert that it must be governed in the public interest, not monopolized by corporations or political elites.

As a candidate for the Legislative Council seat of Montgomery, I want to be clear: Tasmania’s geopolitical location is far too valuable to be overlooked. The Atlantic Council’s 3rd Annual Conference rightly highlights emerging priorities like 5G private networks and fish farms, which have huge potential for our region. But while these critical issues are being discussed on the world stage, too many here are distracted by stadium rallies and political grandstanding—tools used by establishment bootlickers to gaslight the public. This distraction means we are missing the chance to negotiate fair, meaningful deals for Tasmania. I’m here to shift the focus back to what matters: leveraging our unique position to benefit Tasmanians, protect our environment, and secure a future where our people—not outside interests—come first.