Minority Liberal premier urges end to ‘political games’
Ethan James |
Tasmania’s minority Liberal premier has urged politicians to work together as he returns to state parliament for the first time since a snap election.
The Labor opposition’s bid to snatch power on Tuesday’s opening day via a no-confidence motion is likely to fail, after the Greens said they couldn’t support the major party.
Jeremy Rockliff was recommissioned as premier after his party picked up 14 seats to Labor’s 10, both short of the 18 required for majority.
The five-seat Greens, whose support Labor needs to govern, on Monday said they wouldn’t back a no-confidence motion to install Opposition leader Dean Winter as premier.
Speaking outside parliament, Mr Rockliff said it was incumbent on the parliament to work together.
The July 19 poll was triggered after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion put forward by Labor which was supported by the Greens and several independents.
“We recognise early elections aren’t what the Tasmanian people want or need,” Mr Rockliff said.
“It is incumbent on all of us to work together. I’m going to embrace the goodwill across parliament and embrace the will of the people.
“The political games must end today. We’re raring to go and ready to get on with the job.”
Mr Winter has indicated the no-confidence motion will still proceed on Tuesday despite his party not having the numbers.
“When Jeremy Rockliff visited the governor earlier … and requested to be recommissioned, Her Excellency said the parliament should have the final say in who should be premier,” he said.
“No matter how the Greens try to spin it, voting to allow Jeremy Rockliff to continue as premier is providing confidence in his government.”
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said her party’s decision to not back Labor wasn’t an approval of the Liberals.
She lashed Mr Winter for a “refusal to budge” on environmental issues and his support for a new AFL stadium in Hobart during negotiations.
Kristie Johnston and David O’Byrne, two of five independents on the cross bench, have also declared they won’t support Labor.
Liberal MP Jacquie Petrusma, who turned down portfolios because she hurt her right hamstring was appointed Speaker, winning a vote against Labor MP Jen Butler.
The Liberals have in recent days made several policy concessions, including a pledge to ban greyhound racing by 2029 and a review into the state’s salmon industry.
Mr Winter, whose party’s 26 per cent of the primary vote was its worst result in more than a century in Tasmania, has accused Mr Rockliff of selling out traditional industries.
Labor offered a broad working framework as well as a pledge to install an independent MP as treasurer.
The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, have governed in minority since 2023.
Ms Johnston said the cross bench “tried very hard” during negotiations to ensure Labor could put its best foot forward and deliver change.
“They simply have failed. Being more collaborative, they haven’t done that,” she told reporters.
AAP
