Latest news with #PremierRockliff
News.com.au
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Tasmania set for another election after no confidence vote against Premier
A second Tasmanian election in 15 months is expected to be called on Tuesday, after a vote of no confidence against the Premier was passed last week. On Tuesday, parliament will meet and pass emergency legislation so public servants receive their wages during and after an election. Unless Premier Jeremy Rockliff is replaced as Liberal leader, or Labor forms a minority government - an idea Labor leader Dean Winter has rejected - Tasmanians will return to the polls in coming weeks for the fourth time in seven years. Key issues which led to the no confidence vote last week are the mammoth bill for a new stadium to house a new AFL team, continually delayed upgrades to the mainland ferry service, and the state's struggling economy. The no confidence motion passed Tasmania's parliament 18-17 after two days of debate, with Labor Speaker Michelle O'Byrne carrying the deciding vote. On Tuesday, Mr Rockliff is expected to visit the state's Governor, Barbara Baker, and ask her to call an election. Ms Baker can theoretically tell the Premier to return to his party room and see if there's another person who could become leader. Labor leader Dean Winter could in theory form a minority government, but he has ruled that out, despite indications from the Greens they were willing to form a minority government with Labor. However the most likely outcome is parliament will be dissolved and an election date will be set. Tasmanians were thrust into an early state election in March 2024, as Mr Rockliff attempted to regain a majority Liberal government. The previous Liberal leader, Peter Gutwein, called a snap election in 2021 - a year ahead of schedule as well.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing a no-confidence vote on Thursday
Tasmanian parliament will resume its debate on the no-confidence motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff, which could see him toppled or a snap election called. Opposition Leader Dean Winter tabled the motion, citing the Premier's handling of the state's ailing economy, the handing of the Spirit of Tasmania replacement ferries and the AFL stadium project. MPs debated the motion for about 10 hours before parliament was suspended and Wednesday and will resume on Thursday at 10am. A majority of the 35-seat House of Assembly have indicated they will vote in favour of the motion. This would weaken the minority Liberal government which has 14 MPs compared to Labor's 10. Mr Rockliff flagged he was willing to force a snap election, just 15 months after the state went to an early election. The Premier on Wednesday made an impassioned speech in his allocated 30 minutes, calling on crossbenchers to seriously consider the consequences if he was defeated. 'Do they really want to follow a wrecker who has come in day in day out and targeted individual members with disdain who did nothing more than to have the courage to put their hand up to make a difference to the Tasmanian people,' Mr Rockliff said. 'Whatever the outcome is, I implore this parliament to put Tasmanians first. 'They do not want an election. Dean Winter wants an election. 'What the Tasmania people want is stability, certainty and strong leadership.' In introducing the motion, Mr Winter said it gave him 'no pleasure to move this motion'. 'But under our system of government, if the Premier does not have the support of the majority of the House, then they cannot continue,' the Opposition Leader said. 'I don't believe I can in good conscience allow this Premier to continue. Tasmania needs change, not more of the same.' The Greens have indicated they are willing to form a minority government with Labor should Tasmanians head back to the polls just 15 months after the last state election.
