Jostling for government hots up as final votes declared
With the votes counted and elected members confirmed, focus shifts to high-stakes negotiations as the major parties vie to form the next government.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has declared his readiness to accept the "will of the people" as he positions the Liberal Party as the strongest contenders to form government.
He revealed on Sunday he intends to ask Governor Barbara Baker to recommission his government, saying he is keen to "get on with the job".
"We want to work with each and every member of parliament to ensure everyone has their say," Mr Rockliff said.
"Tasmanians are sick and tired of the political games. They have elected a parliament, they expect all members of parliament to work together."
The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents.
Labor's Jess Greene and independent George Razay claimed the final seats in the division of Bass on Saturday.
Mr Rockliff and Labor Leader Dean Winter are intensifying negotiations with the crossbench to form another minority government as they attempt to secure the 18 parliamentary votes needed to govern.
Professor Razay didn't reveal whether he would support the Liberals or Labor when speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Monday.
"Nobody knows George's views until the day of voting because I like to listen to every opinion and do my background research and then make my opinion on that day," he said.
"So I said to both, 'look don't worry about me, if you are able to form a government, I am going to support whoever forms a government'."
Deputy Labor Leader Anita Dow criticised Mr Rockliff's pledge, saying he had "learned nothing" from the starring role he played in the collapse of the last parliament.
"The increasingly arrogant Premier claimed that without changing the way he operates, a new government he leads could last a full term,'' she said.
"Despite losing the confidence of the house, he still thinks the last parliament was working well."
The snap election on July 19 was triggered after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion, prompting the state's second election in 16 months.
A key sticking point in negotiations to form government is the major parties backing a new stadium on Hobart's waterfront, which is a condition for Tasmania getting a side in the AFL.
But the Greens and some independents are bitterly opposed to the plan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
9 News
37 minutes ago
- 9 News
NSW MP Gareth Ward's convictions aren't enough to expel him from parliament, lawyer argues
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Four sex offence convictions against a sitting MP aren't enough to expel him from parliament under "unworthy behaviour" provisions, his lawyer has argued. Gareth Ward, 44, remains the member for the NSW seat of Kiama, as he awaits sentencing for sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a midweek event in the state's parliament in 2015. The former families minister was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man at his South Coast home in 2013. Gareth Ward, 44, remains the member for the NSW seat of Kiama, as he awaits sentencing. (Dylan Coker) A Labor-led vote to expel Ward from parliament, slated for Wednesday, was delayed after the Supreme Court ordered a halt at the MP's request. His barrister told an urgent NSW Court of Appeal hearing today that a letter Ward received from the Labor government about the planned expulsion vote only referred to the convictions, and did not lay out a case for Ward's expulsion. The letter did not detail any "unworthy conduct" - the expulsion power Labor is relying on to turf Ward - Peter King told a panel of three judges. "Are you seriously submitting that the convictions of the counts ... are not conduct unworthy?" Chief Justice Andrew Bell asked. "The four counts are evidence of the fact of conviction but they're not evidence of the facts which underlie that conviction," King said. When the barrister tried again to make the same argument, Justice Jeremy Kirk chimed in. "There can't be any mystery about it, he was tried publicly on an indictment," the judge said. "He, of all people, must know what behaviour led to his conviction." Gareth Ward's lawyer argued four sex offence convictions against a sitting MP aren't enough to expel him from parliament. (AAP) Justice Kirk also questioned whether the court could do anything or interfere in the government's processes, as there had been no orders made to appeal. The most serious charge against Ward, who is in custody, carries a maximum 14-year jail term. King also argued that the move to expel Ward was punitive, denying the MP his chance to remain in parliament or go for re-election, if he successfully appealed the convictions. If Ward's appeal fails, he will be automatically expelled under a separate power. The move also denied Ward procedural fairness by denying him the chance to get up and oppose the motion in parliament, King said. "In short, he is to be expelled by a kangaroo court," he said. Four MPs have been expelled from NSW parliament, the last in 1969 under the "unworthy conduct" power. Any expulsion of Ward will trigger a by-election in the NSW south coast electorate he has held since 2011. Initially running under the Liberal banner, he secured a 2023 poll win as an independent, despite having been charged with sexual assault and suspended from parliament. NSW Premier Chris Minns said having an MP sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, while demanding to remain in parliament, was "an unconscionable situation". (Nine) A vote to expel him is almost certain to pass with support from leaders of Labor and the coalition. NSW Premier Chris Minns said having an MP sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, while demanding to remain in parliament, was "an unconscionable situation". Opposition Leader Mark Speakman repeated calls for Ward to resign after the legal action prevented a parliamentary vote to expel him. Academic Tonia Gray, who contested Kiama for the Greens at the 2023 state election, told AAP Ward should vacate the seat after being found guilty. The ongoing distraction of his refusal to resign has been a disservice to the community, she said. "It's clearly not about the people of Kiama - it's all about Gareth," Gray said. "Kiama deserves an opportunity to hold a by-election and elect a new member to the NSW parliament that can give their absolute attention to the critical work of representing our community." Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) . New South Wales national Australia courts crime Politics parliament Chris Minns CONTACT US
ABC News
37 minutes ago
- ABC News
Report reveals $441 million backlog of repairs for Queensland state schools
Teachers and students at schools across Queensland have been subject to rotting ceilings, dilapidated sport courts and unsafe infrastructure, a new report has found. The Department of Education's Comprehensive Review of Infrastructure Renewal report, commissioned by the former Labor government in 2022, highlights a multi-million-dollar maintenance shortfall. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said it shows "significant underinvestment by Labor". "Our maintenance backlog is now $441-million in our state school system," he said. The report, handed to the government in February, lists a backlog figure double the annual maintenance allocation of $226-million for state schools. It states there are consequences of not funding the backlog gap. "[The] backlog will further increase, for example by the end of 2028-29 the renewal backlog will be over $900-million," the report said. Mr Langbroek said the same issues were significant when he last served as education minister between 2012 and 2015. "Labor have neglected this for 10 years, [they] chose to kick the can down the road," he said. "The report shows [the backlog] cannot be fixed in one year. The report lists the Metro North region as having the highest percentage of assets in poor or very poor condition, at 58 per cent, followed by Metro South at 53 per cent. The Far North Queensland region recorded 40 per cent of assets at state schools to be in poor or very poor condition. On a recent visit to Winton, the education minister said he had seen an unsafe staircase fenced off. "It's to the detriment of teachers and students." Mr Langbroek believes the current state of school infrastructure contributed to more than 50,000 teachers striking for 24-hours across the state this week. 13 per cent of students and around 9 per cent of teachers still attended state schools during Wednesday's industrial action. The minister said the move was an example of teachers "airing their frustration" at issues, including the state of infrastructure, and he looked forward to continuing conciliation in the coming days. "We made an offer that's above inflation ... and attempting to deal with many of the issues expressed by teachers," he said. "We look forward to sitting with an independent umpire — the Industrial Relations Commission — to continue our offer ... to enhance the offer we have made." The Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) said they were striking for not only better pay, but also reducing occupational violence and improving respect for the profession. Mr Langbroek said the government intended to announce a workforce strategy in the coming weeks, aiming to address some of the QTU's concerns. "We'll be turning our minds to that very soon," he said. The opposition has been contacted for comment.
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The rogue's gallery behind Labor's flagship ‘top' deal for workers
It was touted as the deal that would stop 'the race to the bottom': Labor's ambitious proposal to bring workers under one banner to bargain with multiple employers under the same conditions. But a year after signing its new multi-employer bargaining agreement into law, the industry organisation behind the first deal with a union has become a rogue's gallery of business owners facing claims of trading while insolvent, multimillion-dollar debts to the tax office and offensive social media content targeting gender-diverse people and migrants. Championed by the Labor government for delivering 'best practice standards' for employees, the HVAC Manufacturing and Installation Association became the first industry body to sign a multi-employer bargaining agreement in 2024 after winning support from the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union. However, more than a year after signing the agreement, the association has no office, no phone line and no functioning website as its members face growing scrutiny. The association, which represents businesses in the air-conditioning and ductwork industries, was founded by seven ventilation heavyweights in December 2022, months after Labor proposed introducing laws that would facilitate collective employee bargaining across multiple businesses. HVAC association director Darren Beecroft faces a debt of $530,000 to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) while calling for American-style immigration raids on Australian construction sites. Former HVAC association director Sergio Gonzalez owes creditors and the ATO more $2 million while amassing a personal fortune to fund a professional football field in his front yard. The liquidated air-conditioning business of HVAC founder Gavin Ohlback and his partner Scott Smith, which once sponsored a car racing team, owes $1.8 million to the tax office. The multi-employer bargaining laws were designed to bring companies with a single interest together to guarantee workers' conditions and prevent opportunistic rivals from undercutting pay and conditions. Former workplace minister Tony Burke said the laws would start a 'race to improve job security' the day after the manufacturers' union and HVAC association signed the agreement in March last year.
