Mixed reviews after Tasmanian crossbencher meetings with Liberals, Labor

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2 hours ago

Members of Tasmania's new crossbench have criticised Labor's reluctance to engage with the Greens — but described their talks with the party as "interesting" and "productive".
Labor Leader Dean Winter met with crossbenchers David O'Byrne, Kristie Johnston, George Razay, Peter George and Craig Garland at their parliamentary offices on Thursday.
It is likely to be the first of many talks with non-Green members of the crossbench as the party, which holds just 10 out of 35 seats, seeks to gain enough support to govern.
Fresh from his meeting, new MP George Razay was enthusiastic, but part of that was simply about meeting his fellow crossbenchers for the first time.
"I feel really positive that everybody wants change and we can't carry on the same as in the past," Professor Razay said.
But he added he won't be making his mind up anytime soon about who he will support.
"I'm still talking to so many people and ... I have to get some information from all sort of political parties and as I said to them, I don't make my decision until the day I vote.
Braddon Independent Craig Garland said the meeting was "productive" and "collaborative".
"I made the statement that I thought Labor was the best ones to take us forward and lead this state," he said.
While they did not go into detail on policy, Independent MP Peter George said they discussed things like how to make a Labor minority government work and budget repair.
"What's important, from our point of view, is that we've talked about methods of ensuring that we get a good four-year stable government," he said.
But the pair, standing side by side after the press conference, were adamant for minority government to work and that both major parties need to learn to compromise.
"If one party or another expects to take the treasury benches, they're gonna have to understand there is compromise, there is room to move, they have to move," Mr George said.
Mr Garland said that for all the talk about collaboration, the major parties then turn around and say things like "we're not budging on salmon [farming]" and "we're not budging on native forest logging".
"The true collaboration and compromise has been with the crossbenchers and the Greens," Mr Garland said.
"We've been working together trying to nut out a solution to make this easy for anybody that's willing to put their hand up in the government.
"We're the ones that are doing the collaboration and compromising.
"The major parties are still stuck in this majority headspace and they are going to have to come to terms that it's a different world, there's different expectations of the people of this state to make this work."
While neither major party has been willing to engage the Greens, other crossbenchers are talking to them and some are frustrated that the party of five seats is being left out.
"Until the Labor Party is actually prepared to sit down and talk with the other crossbenchers, which is the Greens, the idea of a confidence, no confidence motion, is really moot," Mr George said.
Mr Garland also criticised the decision to lock the Greens out, saying for too long they had been "blamed for everything" and "crucified".
Independent MP Kristie Johnston's assessment of the meeting was similar.
"The meeting today of some crossbench members and Labor was interesting, but indicated to me that there is a lot more work to be done," she said in a statement to the ABC.
To take power, Labor will need to convince crossbenchers to back a no-confidence motion in the Liberals and confidence in a Labor government.
They will need eight extra votes to do that, which means getting the Greens on board.
The Liberals are also courting the crossbench, determined to stay in power.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has even chosen not to take on any portfolios, so he can dedicate more time to dealing with the crossbench.
So far, Mr Garland is the only crossbencher to say he won't work with the Liberals — however he said that does not mean his support for Labor is 100 per cent guaranteed.
And it seems he has not completely written off the Liberals.
"I'll go with whoever I think is best for this state," he said.
"The Liberal Party may stand up. They may come to the table and say 'we got this wrong, we're willing to compromise. We're willing to sit down and make these concessions', and if that's the case, I'll support them.
"If Labor wanna do it, I'll support them. So, whoever is prepared to make that move and do what's needed to be done."