Potential kingmaker pulls support over greyhounds

Perth Now

2 days ago

Tasmania's minority Liberal government's pledge to phase out greyhound racing in a bid for political survival has cost it the support of an influential crossbencher.
The July 19 state election delivered another hung parliament, with neither the incumbent Liberals (14 seats) or Labor (10) getting the 18 seats required for majority government.
Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff has been reappointed premier, but Labor remains in the hunt to govern and could take power via a vote of MPs when parliament resumes on August 19.
Both major parties are attempting to secure support from a cross bench that includes five Greens, five independents and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Carlo Di Falco.
The Liberals' weekend pledge to phase out greyhound racing funding by 2029, welcomed by the Greens and some independents, has cost the party the support of Mr Di Falco.
Mr Rockliff's promise was a "backroom deal with animal rights extremists to cling to power", Mr Di Falco said on Monday.
"The greyhound racing industry is a proud and vital part of rural and regional Tasmania," he said.
"This is our line in the sand. (I) will not support the premier in forming government unless he announces a full reversal of this decision. No ifs, no buts."
Independent Kristie Johnston, who has campaigned for an end to the greyhound industry, supports Mr Rockliff's announcement but says it doesn't mean she'll back the Liberals.
Fellow independent Peter George also supports the phase out but says he won't decide which party to support until the last minute.
Labor leader Dean Winter has flagged the moving of a no-confidence motion on August 19, which will force the cross bench to decide whether to back a Liberal or Labor minority government.
First-term independent George Razay has also said he won't decide until the day, while Craig Garland has kept the door ajar to supporting the Liberals after previously ruling it out.
Mr Winter has courted independents and recently met with Greens' leader Rosalie Woodruff, whose votes he needs to govern.
Mr Winter has previously ruled out "doing a deal" with the Greens or compromising on Labor policy positions.
The Greens were "looking with interest" at Mr Rockliff's greyhound racing pledge, Dr Woodruff told reporters.
"The pressure is on Labor. What is Labor going to do to show Tasmanians they are prepared to listen to the changes that people have demanded in this election?," she said.
The Liberals have also ditched a plan to open 39,000 hectares of native forestry for logging.
Labor has announced independent upper house MP Ruth Forrest will be treasurer if it forms government.
Tasmania's ballooning net debt was among the reasons for a June no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff that sparked an early poll, the state's fourth in seven years.