Liberal premier in crosshairs, fresh election possible
Ethan James |
A Liberal minority state government is in turmoil, with an early election on the cards as its premier stares down a no-confidence motion he appears set to lose.
Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff was the subject of an ongoing no-confidence debate on Wednesday afternoon brought forward by the Labor opposition.
The Greens and three crossbench MPs have said they will back the motion, meaning it will have the numbers to pass.
Mr Rockliff vowed to fight until his “last breath” and indicated he would rather have a fresh election than step down.
Tasmania went to the polls in March 2024, with the Liberals winning just 14 of 35 seats but earning enough support from the crossbench to form government.
Mr Rockliff has been under increasing pressure over worsening budget debt, Bass Strait ferry delays, a plan to sell assets and ambitions for a new AFL stadium.
Labor leader Dean Winter lashed Mr Rockliff for “sending Tasmania broke” with debt forecast to more than double to $10.8 billion by 2028/29.
“His only plan to fix it is to sell assets that Tasmanians built together over the past 100 years,” Mr Winter said.
Mr Rockliff said Labor was “hell-bent” on forcing an early election – one of the possibilities if a no-confidence motion passes.
“You’ve got, as I understand it, the support of enough people to bring me down. This day, it might not end well for me,” Mr Rockliff said.
“But this day will define you (Mr Winter), for the rest of your political career. You will have the stigma … of being a wrecker.”
Mr Rockliff spruiked his government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuit of an AFL team and large-scale energy projects.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the premier had brought the no-confidence motion on himself.
“Poll after poll have made it abundantly clear that Tasmanians do not, will not, support a new stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart,” she said.
Dr Woodruff appeared to keep the door ajar for a Labor-Greens minority, saying her party was prepared to work in “good faith” with Mr Winter.
The stadium, which is supported by Labor but opposed by the Greens and some crossbench MPs, is a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028.
The government recently announced the stadium’s projected cost had blown out from $755 million to $945 million.
The Devils fear the political instability will delay the stadium and cost the team its licence.
Liberal minister Eric Abetz told parliament Labor’s motion was a rush of blood to the head and would threaten the stadium’s construction timeline.
Mr Rockliff was elected to parliament in 2002 and became premier in 2022 when predecessor Peter Gutwein resigned after being at the helm during COVID-19.
Deputy Premier Guy Barnett told parliament Mr Rockliff had his unequivocal support.
Independent MP and former Labor leader David O’Byrne said he would vote against the no-confidence motion, saying the state wasn’t ready for another election.
“Tasmania has become world class at kicking own goals. People hate elections when they’re not due,” he said.
“If the premier falls … there is still the (same) budget.”
AAP
