Mammoth legal bill stirs up festering Liberal feud
Tensions within a state Liberal party have hit boiling point, with an MP to chase senior members and colleagues for cash if a former leader cannot pay her mammoth legal bill.
Former Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in costs, on top of $315,000 in damages, to first-term MP Moira Deeming following a high-stakes defamation battle.
The Federal Court found he defamed Mrs Deeming by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis who gatecrashed a controversial Melbourne rally she attended in 2023.
Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal party room but welcomed back after winning the trial, with Mr Pesutto ousted as leader.
In a letter obtained by AAP, Mrs Deeming's legal team wrote to Mr Pesutto's lawyers seeking information on his donors.
The Liberal MP said she may "have to seek cost recovery through them" and Mr Pesutto knew the legal and financial risks of not settling the case before trial.
"His defences failed, I won my case and he agreed to pay my costs last year," Mrs Deeming said in a statement.
"Time has progressed but he still has 21 days from Friday to pay.
"He also still enjoys the ongoing public support of at least three powerful multi-millionaire backers who can easily afford to pay it."
Former Victorian Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu, Jeff Kennett and Denis Napthine were among Mr Pesutto's declared donors.
Mr Pesutto declined to comment on the letter but suggested donor contributions were "relatively modest" and he wasn't sure any would come to his aid again.
"I want to do everything that I possibly can to raise the money that I owe Mrs Deeming," the Hawthorn MP said.
A GoFundMe campaign for Mr Pesutto's cause has raised more than $185,000.
He would be forced out of parliament if he declared bankruptcy, triggering a by-election in his marginal seat in Melbourne's east.
Mr Kennett told the ABC the Victorian Liberal party room was a "cesspool".
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Mr Kennett was "entitled to his comments" and refused to detail his discussions with Mrs Deeming or Mr Pesutto.
The legal letter also named shadow frontbenchers David Southwick and Georgie Crozier among Mr Pesutto's financial backers.
Mr Southwick said the party needed to bring the dispute to an end.
"It's a line in the sand moment to ensure we don't have a by-election," he said.
There were no "hard and fast rules" about third-party costs orders, media lawyer Justin Quill said.
But if successful, the partner at major law firm Thomson Geer said it would likely only affect those who contributed substantial amounts.
"I suspect this is more a threat aimed at getting Mr Pesutto and his backers to start moving on Ms Deeming's demand for payment of the money owed to her," he told AAP.
"If they just lent him the money with no requirement that it would be paid back if he was successful, then it might be harder to obtain an order against them.
"But if there's a real link between the lending of the money and the litigation, then the chances are far higher."
Tensions within a state Liberal party have hit boiling point, with an MP to chase senior members and colleagues for cash if a former leader cannot pay her mammoth legal bill.
Former Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in costs, on top of $315,000 in damages, to first-term MP Moira Deeming following a high-stakes defamation battle.
The Federal Court found he defamed Mrs Deeming by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis who gatecrashed a controversial Melbourne rally she attended in 2023.
Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal party room but welcomed back after winning the trial, with Mr Pesutto ousted as leader.
In a letter obtained by AAP, Mrs Deeming's legal team wrote to Mr Pesutto's lawyers seeking information on his donors.
The Liberal MP said she may "have to seek cost recovery through them" and Mr Pesutto knew the legal and financial risks of not settling the case before trial.
"His defences failed, I won my case and he agreed to pay my costs last year," Mrs Deeming said in a statement.
"Time has progressed but he still has 21 days from Friday to pay.
"He also still enjoys the ongoing public support of at least three powerful multi-millionaire backers who can easily afford to pay it."
Former Victorian Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu, Jeff Kennett and Denis Napthine were among Mr Pesutto's declared donors.
Mr Pesutto declined to comment on the letter but suggested donor contributions were "relatively modest" and he wasn't sure any would come to his aid again.
"I want to do everything that I possibly can to raise the money that I owe Mrs Deeming," the Hawthorn MP said.
A GoFundMe campaign for Mr Pesutto's cause has raised more than $185,000.
He would be forced out of parliament if he declared bankruptcy, triggering a by-election in his marginal seat in Melbourne's east.
Mr Kennett told the ABC the Victorian Liberal party room was a "cesspool".
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Mr Kennett was "entitled to his comments" and refused to detail his discussions with Mrs Deeming or Mr Pesutto.
The legal letter also named shadow frontbenchers David Southwick and Georgie Crozier among Mr Pesutto's financial backers.
Mr Southwick said the party needed to bring the dispute to an end.
"It's a line in the sand moment to ensure we don't have a by-election," he said.
There were no "hard and fast rules" about third-party costs orders, media lawyer Justin Quill said.
But if successful, the partner at major law firm Thomson Geer said it would likely only affect those who contributed substantial amounts.
"I suspect this is more a threat aimed at getting Mr Pesutto and his backers to start moving on Ms Deeming's demand for payment of the money owed to her," he told AAP.
"If they just lent him the money with no requirement that it would be paid back if he was successful, then it might be harder to obtain an order against them.
"But if there's a real link between the lending of the money and the litigation, then the chances are far higher."
Tensions within a state Liberal party have hit boiling point, with an MP to chase senior members and colleagues for cash if a former leader cannot pay her mammoth legal bill.
Former Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in costs, on top of $315,000 in damages, to first-term MP Moira Deeming following a high-stakes defamation battle.
The Federal Court found he defamed Mrs Deeming by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis who gatecrashed a controversial Melbourne rally she attended in 2023.
Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal party room but welcomed back after winning the trial, with Mr Pesutto ousted as leader.
In a letter obtained by AAP, Mrs Deeming's legal team wrote to Mr Pesutto's lawyers seeking information on his donors.
The Liberal MP said she may "have to seek cost recovery through them" and Mr Pesutto knew the legal and financial risks of not settling the case before trial.
"His defences failed, I won my case and he agreed to pay my costs last year," Mrs Deeming said in a statement.
"Time has progressed but he still has 21 days from Friday to pay.
"He also still enjoys the ongoing public support of at least three powerful multi-millionaire backers who can easily afford to pay it."
Former Victorian Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu, Jeff Kennett and Denis Napthine were among Mr Pesutto's declared donors.
Mr Pesutto declined to comment on the letter but suggested donor contributions were "relatively modest" and he wasn't sure any would come to his aid again.
"I want to do everything that I possibly can to raise the money that I owe Mrs Deeming," the Hawthorn MP said.
A GoFundMe campaign for Mr Pesutto's cause has raised more than $185,000.
He would be forced out of parliament if he declared bankruptcy, triggering a by-election in his marginal seat in Melbourne's east.
Mr Kennett told the ABC the Victorian Liberal party room was a "cesspool".
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Mr Kennett was "entitled to his comments" and refused to detail his discussions with Mrs Deeming or Mr Pesutto.
The legal letter also named shadow frontbenchers David Southwick and Georgie Crozier among Mr Pesutto's financial backers.
Mr Southwick said the party needed to bring the dispute to an end.
"It's a line in the sand moment to ensure we don't have a by-election," he said.
There were no "hard and fast rules" about third-party costs orders, media lawyer Justin Quill said.
But if successful, the partner at major law firm Thomson Geer said it would likely only affect those who contributed substantial amounts.
"I suspect this is more a threat aimed at getting Mr Pesutto and his backers to start moving on Ms Deeming's demand for payment of the money owed to her," he told AAP.
"If they just lent him the money with no requirement that it would be paid back if he was successful, then it might be harder to obtain an order against them.
"But if there's a real link between the lending of the money and the litigation, then the chances are far higher."
Tensions within a state Liberal party have hit boiling point, with an MP to chase senior members and colleagues for cash if a former leader cannot pay her mammoth legal bill.
Former Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto was ordered to pay more than $2.3 million in costs, on top of $315,000 in damages, to first-term MP Moira Deeming following a high-stakes defamation battle.
The Federal Court found he defamed Mrs Deeming by implying she was associated with neo-Nazis who gatecrashed a controversial Melbourne rally she attended in 2023.
Mrs Deeming was expelled from the Liberal party room but welcomed back after winning the trial, with Mr Pesutto ousted as leader.
In a letter obtained by AAP, Mrs Deeming's legal team wrote to Mr Pesutto's lawyers seeking information on his donors.
The Liberal MP said she may "have to seek cost recovery through them" and Mr Pesutto knew the legal and financial risks of not settling the case before trial.
"His defences failed, I won my case and he agreed to pay my costs last year," Mrs Deeming said in a statement.
"Time has progressed but he still has 21 days from Friday to pay.
"He also still enjoys the ongoing public support of at least three powerful multi-millionaire backers who can easily afford to pay it."
Former Victorian Liberal premiers Ted Baillieu, Jeff Kennett and Denis Napthine were among Mr Pesutto's declared donors.
Mr Pesutto declined to comment on the letter but suggested donor contributions were "relatively modest" and he wasn't sure any would come to his aid again.
"I want to do everything that I possibly can to raise the money that I owe Mrs Deeming," the Hawthorn MP said.
A GoFundMe campaign for Mr Pesutto's cause has raised more than $185,000.
He would be forced out of parliament if he declared bankruptcy, triggering a by-election in his marginal seat in Melbourne's east.
Mr Kennett told the ABC the Victorian Liberal party room was a "cesspool".
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Mr Kennett was "entitled to his comments" and refused to detail his discussions with Mrs Deeming or Mr Pesutto.
The legal letter also named shadow frontbenchers David Southwick and Georgie Crozier among Mr Pesutto's financial backers.
Mr Southwick said the party needed to bring the dispute to an end.
"It's a line in the sand moment to ensure we don't have a by-election," he said.
There were no "hard and fast rules" about third-party costs orders, media lawyer Justin Quill said.
But if successful, the partner at major law firm Thomson Geer said it would likely only affect those who contributed substantial amounts.
"I suspect this is more a threat aimed at getting Mr Pesutto and his backers to start moving on Ms Deeming's demand for payment of the money owed to her," he told AAP.
"If they just lent him the money with no requirement that it would be paid back if he was successful, then it might be harder to obtain an order against them.
"But if there's a real link between the lending of the money and the litigation, then the chances are far higher."
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"It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. 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"It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. 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The Advertiser
7 hours ago
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He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it."
