Latest news with #MichelleOByrne
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Tasmanian speaker and long-time Labor MP Michelle O'Byrne set to retire from parliament
Speaker and long-serving Labor MP Michelle O'Byrne has announced she will retire from politics at the next election — which is expected to be called later today. In a speech to parliament, the former federal Bass MP reflected on her 25-year career in politics while taking a parting shot at her own party. "It is not enough to say that you want minority government or indeed majority government to work," Ms O'Byrne told parliament. "If minority government is the way of the future then it requires us all to behave differently. "The parliament must be able to function to meet the needs of Tasmanians, whatever parliament they choose to elect. Ms O'Byrne, who spent eight years as a senior minister, said some of her proudest achievements were her work on mental health reform, the decriminalisation of abortion and same-sex adoption reforms. But she said one of her "greatest disappointments" was in herself, as she reflected on her time as health minister during the global financial crisis. "When my request to not be made to slow down elective surgery was denied by the treasurer of the day, I had a choice," she said. "I should've walked, I didn't. "The lesson that I learnt from that was to never forget that at the end of the day, as a minister, the buck stops with you, but also you have choices and your choices have real implications on people's lives. "I've spent way too many years in opposition since then. Unable to give effect to the great lesson that I learned." She thanked the parliament for giving her the opportunity to serve as speaker. "I have absolutely loved it despite the last few days and how challenging they've been," she said.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Tasmanian parliament passes vote of no confidence in premier Jeremy Rockliff
The Tasmanian parliament's lower house has passed a vote of no confidence in the Liberal leader. The motion – moved by the Labor leader, Dean Winter – was backed by the Greens and three other crossbenchers. The speaker, Labor's Michelle O'Byrne, gave a casting vote to pass the motion 18-17
