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Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff's political future hangs in the balance as debate on no-confidence motion to enter second day

Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff's political future hangs in the balance as debate on no-confidence motion to enter second day

Sky News AU04-06-2025
A debate on a no-confidence motion against Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is set to enter a second day after he vowed to fight to stay in power.
The state's Labor leader Dean Winter filed the motion fearing Tasmania may go "broke" and claimed the minority Liberal government had mismanaged the budget.
He also has no confidence in its plans to privatise government-business enterprises, the Spirit of Tasmania ferry replacement project, and the new almost $1 billion Hobart stadium, which is set to be the home of the AFL's 19th team, the Tasmanian Devils.
A fiery debate in parliament which started mid-Wednesday morning and concluded about 7.30pm ended with no final vote, meaning it is set to continue on Thursday.
Mr Rockliff and Mr Winter were each given 40 minutes to deliver their case in the House of Assembly, which led to the pair throwing accusations at one another.
The state Labor leader claimed the instability of the government was the fault of the Premier and that he could not "stand by and allow this mess to continue".
In response, Mr Rockliff said his political opponent was forcing Tasmanians back to the polls and that the state's future and major projects will be under threat.
"I will fight for my last breath to ensure that we remain in government and to ensure that we continue delivering for the people of Tasmania," he said.
Other MPs were allocated 20 minutes to speak.
Leader of the House Eric Abetz said the state's future dream of having a Tasmanian AFL team may be in danger from Labor's no-confidence motion.
Tasmanian Devils general manager Kathryn McCann on Wednesday broke down in tears during a press conference amid the uncertainty of a stadium.
'Well done Leader of the Opposition, well done to every single Labor member who occasioned that breakdown,' Mr Abetz said.
'Everything is dispensable in your grasp for power."
Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has proposed to Labor forming a coalition between the two parties to avoid going to another "costly" election.
'And it is him who needs to stand up and do his best to form a minority government with members of the crossbench… in the best interests of Tasmanians. The Greens will work in good faith to form an arrangement of minority government," she said.
The majority of the 35 members have indicated they will back Labor's move.
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