Premier open to compromises to maintain minority power
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The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Premier open to compromises to maintain minority power
Tasmania's minority Liberal government has left the door ajar for further cross bench policy concessions as the party tries to avoid being booted from power. The state election on July 19 delivered another hung parliament, with neither the incumbent Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) getting the 18 seats required for majority. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has been reappointed premier, but Labor remains in the hunt to govern and could take the helm via a vote of MPs when parliament resumes on August 19. Both major parties are attempting to secure backing from a cross bench that includes five Greens, five mostly left-learning independents and a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP. In bid to appease some independents and the Greens, the Liberals have pledged to phase out greyhound racing by 2029 and have dropped a plan to expand native forestry. Labor says it will make independent upper house MP Ruth Forrest treasurer if it comes to power. Mr Rockliff on Monday didn't rule out further policy shifts, including around aquaculture. Independents Peter George and Craig Garland have campaigned heavily on an anti-salmon farming platform and increased regulation of the industry. "Our traditional industries are highly valued because they support many thousands of families right across regional Tasmania," Mr Rockliff said. "But there is always room for continuous improvement, to ensure those industries are valued and embraced by Tasmanians for what they contribute to our economy and our communities." Both major parties support the salmon industry, which made headlines in early 2025 after 6300 tonnes of fish died. Mr Rockliff said the Liberals were committed to policies they took to the election, but "at the end of the day" would work collaboratively with the cross bench. "There may be ideas, where some of our policy positions in key areas can be strengthened by good robust ideas from across the chamber," he said. Greyhound Racing NSW and Victorian Labor have lashed Mr Rockliff for "desperately" using the sport as a political football to stay in power. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Carlo Di Falco has said he won't support Mr Rockliff forming government unless he backflips on the greyhound policy. 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 will back the Liberals. Mr George also supports the phase out but says he won't decide which major party to support until the last minute. The Liberals' cabinet, including incoming former federal MPs Gavin Pearce and Bridget Archer, was officially sworn in on Monday. Labor also announced its portfolio distribution in a press release that labelled leader Dean Winter "premier". Mr Winter has flagged a no-confidence motion on August 19, which will essentially force the cross bench to decide whether to back a Liberal or Labor minority government. He has courted independents and recently met 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. Tasmania's minority Liberal government has left the door ajar for further cross bench policy concessions as the party tries to avoid being booted from power. The state election on July 19 delivered another hung parliament, with neither the incumbent Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) getting the 18 seats required for majority. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has been reappointed premier, but Labor remains in the hunt to govern and could take the helm via a vote of MPs when parliament resumes on August 19. Both major parties are attempting to secure backing from a cross bench that includes five Greens, five mostly left-learning independents and a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP. In bid to appease some independents and the Greens, the Liberals have pledged to phase out greyhound racing by 2029 and have dropped a plan to expand native forestry. Labor says it will make independent upper house MP Ruth Forrest treasurer if it comes to power. Mr Rockliff on Monday didn't rule out further policy shifts, including around aquaculture. Independents Peter George and Craig Garland have campaigned heavily on an anti-salmon farming platform and increased regulation of the industry. "Our traditional industries are highly valued because they support many thousands of families right across regional Tasmania," Mr Rockliff said. "But there is always room for continuous improvement, to ensure those industries are valued and embraced by Tasmanians for what they contribute to our economy and our communities." Both major parties support the salmon industry, which made headlines in early 2025 after 6300 tonnes of fish died. Mr Rockliff said the Liberals were committed to policies they took to the election, but "at the end of the day" would work collaboratively with the cross bench. "There may be ideas, where some of our policy positions in key areas can be strengthened by good robust ideas from across the chamber," he said. Greyhound Racing NSW and Victorian Labor have lashed Mr Rockliff for "desperately" using the sport as a political football to stay in power. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Carlo Di Falco has said he won't support Mr Rockliff forming government unless he backflips on the greyhound policy. 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 will back the Liberals. Mr George also supports the phase out but says he won't decide which major party to support until the last minute. The Liberals' cabinet, including incoming former federal MPs Gavin Pearce and Bridget Archer, was officially sworn in on Monday. Labor also announced its portfolio distribution in a press release that labelled leader Dean Winter "premier". Mr Winter has flagged a no-confidence motion on August 19, which will essentially force the cross bench to decide whether to back a Liberal or Labor minority government. He has courted independents and recently met 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. Tasmania's minority Liberal government has left the door ajar for further cross bench policy concessions as the party tries to avoid being booted from power. The state election on July 19 delivered another hung parliament, with neither the incumbent Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) getting the 18 seats required for majority. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has been reappointed premier, but Labor remains in the hunt to govern and could take the helm via a vote of MPs when parliament resumes on August 19. Both major parties are attempting to secure backing from a cross bench that includes five Greens, five mostly left-learning independents and a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP. In bid to appease some independents and the Greens, the Liberals have pledged to phase out greyhound racing by 2029 and have dropped a plan to expand native forestry. Labor says it will make independent upper house MP Ruth Forrest treasurer if it comes to power. Mr Rockliff on Monday didn't rule out further policy shifts, including around aquaculture. Independents Peter George and Craig Garland have campaigned heavily on an anti-salmon farming platform and increased regulation of the industry. "Our traditional industries are highly valued because they support many thousands of families right across regional Tasmania," Mr Rockliff said. "But there is always room for continuous improvement, to ensure those industries are valued and embraced by Tasmanians for what they contribute to our economy and our communities." Both major parties support the salmon industry, which made headlines in early 2025 after 6300 tonnes of fish died. Mr Rockliff said the Liberals were committed to policies they took to the election, but "at the end of the day" would work collaboratively with the cross bench. "There may be ideas, where some of our policy positions in key areas can be strengthened by good robust ideas from across the chamber," he said. Greyhound Racing NSW and Victorian Labor have lashed Mr Rockliff for "desperately" using the sport as a political football to stay in power. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Carlo Di Falco has said he won't support Mr Rockliff forming government unless he backflips on the greyhound policy. 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 will back the Liberals. Mr George also supports the phase out but says he won't decide which major party to support until the last minute. The Liberals' cabinet, including incoming former federal MPs Gavin Pearce and Bridget Archer, was officially sworn in on Monday. Labor also announced its portfolio distribution in a press release that labelled leader Dean Winter "premier". Mr Winter has flagged a no-confidence motion on August 19, which will essentially force the cross bench to decide whether to back a Liberal or Labor minority government. He has courted independents and recently met 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. Tasmania's minority Liberal government has left the door ajar for further cross bench policy concessions as the party tries to avoid being booted from power. The state election on July 19 delivered another hung parliament, with neither the incumbent Liberals (14 seats) nor Labor (10) getting the 18 seats required for majority. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff has been reappointed premier, but Labor remains in the hunt to govern and could take the helm via a vote of MPs when parliament resumes on August 19. Both major parties are attempting to secure backing from a cross bench that includes five Greens, five mostly left-learning independents and a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP. In bid to appease some independents and the Greens, the Liberals have pledged to phase out greyhound racing by 2029 and have dropped a plan to expand native forestry. Labor says it will make independent upper house MP Ruth Forrest treasurer if it comes to power. Mr Rockliff on Monday didn't rule out further policy shifts, including around aquaculture. Independents Peter George and Craig Garland have campaigned heavily on an anti-salmon farming platform and increased regulation of the industry. "Our traditional industries are highly valued because they support many thousands of families right across regional Tasmania," Mr Rockliff said. "But there is always room for continuous improvement, to ensure those industries are valued and embraced by Tasmanians for what they contribute to our economy and our communities." Both major parties support the salmon industry, which made headlines in early 2025 after 6300 tonnes of fish died. Mr Rockliff said the Liberals were committed to policies they took to the election, but "at the end of the day" would work collaboratively with the cross bench. "There may be ideas, where some of our policy positions in key areas can be strengthened by good robust ideas from across the chamber," he said. Greyhound Racing NSW and Victorian Labor have lashed Mr Rockliff for "desperately" using the sport as a political football to stay in power. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers' Carlo Di Falco has said he won't support Mr Rockliff forming government unless he backflips on the greyhound policy. 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 will back the Liberals. Mr George also supports the phase out but says he won't decide which major party to support until the last minute. The Liberals' cabinet, including incoming former federal MPs Gavin Pearce and Bridget Archer, was officially sworn in on Monday. Labor also announced its portfolio distribution in a press release that labelled leader Dean Winter "premier". Mr Winter has flagged a no-confidence motion on August 19, which will essentially force the cross bench to decide whether to back a Liberal or Labor minority government. He has courted independents and recently met 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.
Canberra Times
12 hours ago
- Canberra Times
Premier open to compromises to maintain minority power
"But there is always room for continuous improvement, to ensure those industries are valued and embraced by Tasmanians for what they contribute to our economy and our communities."
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Potential kingmaker pulls support over greyhounds
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. 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. 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. 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.
