Tasmanian Opposition Leader Dean Winter has promised another no-confidence motion against Jeremy Rockliff, after the Liberal leader was reappointed as premier this morning.
Two months after a successful no-confidence motion against him, Governor Barbara Baker announced today that Rockliff would be returned as premier, following last month’s election that delivered a nigh-identical hung parliament.
Rockliff’s Liberal Party won 14 seats at the election – more than Labor’s 10, but still short of the 18 required to govern in a majority.
Jeremy Rockliff has been reappointed as Tasmania’s premier. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
However, Baker said that as the incumbent, Rockliff had the right to test whether he had the support of parliament when it reconvenes on August 19.
This afternoon, Winter said a no-confidence motion would be tabled on that first day of the new parliament.
“Whether it is by us or an independent, a motion will be moved in parliament of no-confidence in the Liberals and confidence in a Labor government,” he told reporters.
Winter tabled the first no-confidence motion against Rockliff in early June, citing a number of issues including the state of the Tasmanian budget, before Labor’s primary vote fell by a little more than 3 per cent in the ensuing election.
Today, he said he was prepared to work with the crossbench to deliver stable government.
“We need to work across the parliament so we can have a parliament that works for Tasmanians,” he said.
“Our first port of call has to be fixing the budget but we also have to focus on making sure this parliament runs the full four-year term,” he added.
Although Rockliff told Baker he expected he could gain the confidence of parliament when the two met yesterday, the premier-elect was more guarded when he spoke to the media this morning, where he dodged questions about whether he could survive another no-confidence motion.
“I believe that we can govern very sensibly in minority when it comes to working with the crossbench,” he said, before adding he believed he would have enough support for the stability model proposed by the Liberals.
The future of Tasmania’s AFL team – and the stadium that goes with it – was a major election issue. (Peter Mathew/The Age)
“What I’m interested in doing is to ensure that we have good, strong engagement, collaboration, up until August 19 and then beyond,” he said.
“The Tasmanian people expect a new government, and all members of parliament that were elected to work together in the best interests of Tasmanians, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
The no-confidence motion brought forward by Winter narrowly passed, 18 votes to 17, with the support of the Greens and other crossbenchers two months ago.
However, while each of the Liberals, Labor and Greens retained the same number of seats in the ensuing election (at 14, 10 and five respectively), the Liberals’ primary vote rose by just over 3 per cent and Labor’s fell by a similar amount.
“Tasmanians are sick of the political games,” Rockliff said.
“What is important is that we are all mature in our approach.
Tasmanian Labor leader Dean Winter tabled the no-confidence motion against Rockliff, but his party’s vote fell in the ensuing election. (Brodie Weeding/AFR)
“The people have spoken. The will of the people needs to be, and must be, respected.
“I’m very pleased with our support in the election in terms of over 40 per cent of the vote, and a positive swing, and 14 seats being returned.
“We’ve governed in minority before, and we’ll continue to do so again.”
For Rockliff and the Liberals to govern in minority, they need the support of four of the 11 crossbenchers.
With five independents and one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP, it is possible for Rockliff to get the numbers without turning to the Greens.
However, with Labor requiring the support of eight crossbenchers, it does need an agreement with the Greens to form government, and Winter has repeatedly ruled out making a deal with the minor party.
Rockliff and his cabinet will be sworn in next week.
