Latest news with #TasmanianPolitics
ABC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Australia reacts to Tasmanian political upheaval throwing AFL team, stadium, budget into doubt
The toppling of Tasmania's premier has drawn strong reactions from across Australia. Some are calling it a "fiasco" while others say the turmoil has turned the state into the nation's "laughing stock". "Tasmania is always a controversial state, immature politicians, not well-informed people," one observer wrote as the no-confidence motion in Jeremy Rockliff played out live on Thursday. "We left Tasmania 12 months ago just because of the incompetent bunch of people running the state," another said. With Tasmanians now facing the prospect of an election being called as early as next week — despite electing the Rockliff Liberals as recently as March last year — the upheaval has shone an unforgiving spotlight on the smallest state. Here is what members of the public and political experts have made of what has unfolded. The spectre of yet another trip to the ballot box — the fourth in seven years — has not been welcomed by many observers, with one describing it as "a clown show". "An utter garbage abuse of power from Labor and the Greens … the last thing anyone wants is another costly election," PoliticalNuffy wrote. "You would think that many of these elected folk are anti their own state," said Clive. "The no-alition soon found out that this type of rubbish is not in Australia's best interests. Landslide loss. So the wise ones in Tasmania are perpetuating the same mistakes." "A lot of what is going on here would be resolved if Tasmania had a more normal structure with a majoritarian lower house and a proportional upper house," Nicholas offered. Tasmanian Policy Exchange director Richard Eccleston said Labor may have misjudged Mr Rockliff's willingness to fight on. "I think Labor was hoping that it would lead to a change in leadership of the Liberal party," Dr Ecclestone said. "Perhaps the most significant thing that became crystal clear yesterday was the premier's commitment to stay on as leader of the Liberal party and to fight an election campaign. Mr Rockliff may be well known to voters — but, in the minds of some, for the wrong reasons. "Rockliff is holding the state to ransom for a vanity project that will cost us all in the long run," Jason said. Opposition Leader Dean Winter and Labor did not escape the vitriol either. "All Labor seem to be doing is proving they would be no better than the current degenerate rabble," Tim said. "Where is Labor's alternative budget? How can they say with a straight face that the Liberals are bringing Tasmania to financial ruin when they have not produced an alternative," asked Tracy. Kevin invoked the Game of Thrones terminology: Bob was similarly unimpressed: "Not entirely sure what Winter is doing here. Does he seriously believe Labor would win a majority on its own if another election is held? Even the Liberals couldn't do that," he said. "Seems a bit delusional." Former Liberal premier Will Hodgman, was scathing in a post to X: Mr Winter's assertion he did what he did because the premier had "wrecked" the state's debt position did not fly with many. "We are a laughing stock of our country, all because of a budget?" asked Jez. Others wondered what alternatives Labor would have presented. "Can somebody please share the alternate plan and budget that should have been presented this week by the opposition?" queried Phil. "There's no question the Rockliff govt's 2025-26 budget is an epic mess, but to throw the state into an unprecedented depth of uncertainty is not smart. I fear Winter has spectacularly miscalculated," said Ryan. Niko wanted to know "how on earth is blowing a billion dollars on a stadium supposed to make young people want to stay in the state"? Speaking of the stadium, the looming election has resulted in speculation the state's AFL team — the existence of which is conditional on the building of the arena at Macquarie Point — won't happen. That has not gone down well at all. "For too long Tasmania has been treated like poor cousins and now we are being treated like complete fools," said Chris. "If this stadium fails there will be an exodus of young people … Tassie loses the young already due to bigger opportunities elsewhere, this will change little," wrote Garry. And then there is the Spirit of Tasmania "fiasco", as Graeme pointed out. "Rockliff has shown how incompetent he is, as demonstrated by the TT Line and TasPorts fiascos." Oliver also used the F-word: Ruth asked, "can we stop amplifying the importance of the stadium?" "A whole state's future is at stake here, for example, how we afford to deliver the education and health services needed. Former premier Peter Gutwein yesterday told ABC Radio Mornings removing Mr Rockliff as premier could lead to "catastrophic outcomes" such as investments stalling. "That uncertainty, especially if the stadium and the team don't go ahead, will lead to a view from the mainland and investors within Tasmania that you just simply cannot trust the state of Tasmania to carry through on decisions," Mr Gutwein said. One ABC audience member agreed, saying projects like the stadium were "vital to the future economic growth of Tasmania" and would "unlock massive opportunities not just for the AFL team but for business, tourism, hospitality and beyond". "That said, this current parliament couldn't organise its way out of a paper bag."
ABC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
The future of Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff hangs in the balance
Reporter Ellen Coulter speaks to Sarah Ferguson about the no-confidence motion in the Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff survives with Labor no-confidence motion to enter second day
Premier Jeremy Rockliff will remain in Tasmania's top job for at least one more night, after a majority of MPs voted to continue debating a no-confidence motion in his leadership on Thursday. The no-confidence motion, moved by Opposition leader Dean Winter, has the support of eight crossbench MPs, meaning it is set to pass. Labor's motion argued politicians had lost faith in Mr Rockliff's leadership due to his financial management, handling of key infrastructure projects and plans to sell state assets. After more than nine hours of debate, where 19 MPs spoke on the no-confidence motion, politicians agreed for the debate to finish at 7.30pm on Wednesday, and continue on Thursday. The move to suspend debate until Thursday passed 18 votes to 16, with crossbenchers David O'Byrne, Andrew Jenner, Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland voting with the government. Mr Winter brought on the motion that will likely bring about Mr Rockliff's downfall just after 10am, when question time would usually begin. He said the drastic step was necessary following last week's state budget, which forecast four straight deficits and debt ballooning to $10.8 billion by the 2028-29 financial year. "The direction that the Tasmanian premier is taking our state will send it broke," Mr Winter said in his speech. "When I deeply considered my role, and my responsibility to this state, I just could not tolerate allowing this mess to continue. "I wish I could stand here and say everything is fine, but I owe Tasmanians more than that." In an emotional speech on Wednesday, Mr Rockliff launched a blistering attack on Mr Winter, labelling him "a wrecker", while conceding the no-confidence motion was likely to succeed. "Can I say this; I will fight for my last breath to ensure that we remain in government, and to ensure that we continue delivering for the people of Tasmania," he said. "This day, it might not end well for me. But this day will define you … for the rest of your political career. The motion has the support of the Greens, who sealed Mr Rockliff's political fate when they decided to vote for it at a party room meeting on Wednesday morning. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the premier had "brought this on himself". "He has had repeated opportunities to listen to the people of Tasmania, and he has repeatedly refused to do that," she said. The Greens attempted to amend the motion to include that Tasmania's spiralling debt had been "compounded" by his plan to build an AFL stadium on Hobart's waterfront. But that move was defeated by a majority of MPs. The motion also has the support of independent Kristie Johnston and Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner, who both delivered speeches on Wednesday, as well as independent Craig Garland, who is set to make his contribution on Thursday. Mr Rockliff has repeatedly said he would ask the Governor to call an early election if the no-confidence motion was successful. But it is unclear if that wish would be granted, or whether Lieutenant-Governor Christopher Shanahan, who will be in charge of making any decisions while Governor Barbara Baker is away, would instead require other Liberal MPs to investigate whether they could get enough crossbench support to keep governing in minority. Labor MPs continually put the pressure on Mr Rockliff to avoid all of those scenarios by resigning before the motion comes to a vote, or for his Liberal colleagues to remove him. "Does anybody on that side have the ticker to roll the premier or would they rather roll the dice?" Labor frontbencher Shane Broad asked on Wednesday. "The premier is the only one who in reality, could send us to an election. But many Liberal powerbrokers expressed their total support for Mr Rockliff, with police minister Felix Ellis praising a premier who had repeatedly "stepped up" for Tasmania. "They're asking this house, but more broadly, they're asking the Tasmanian community to get rid of a man who has been trusted by people from every walk of life for decades in his service in this place and outside," Mr Ellis said. "[He's] a man of great courage and conviction … who leads this state through some of the most challenging moments that our state and community has ever faced. He's done that with grace, with strength and with humility." Liberal insiders have remained tight-lipped about who the next party leader could be, saying they are committed to heading to an election if Mr Rockliff's leadership is ended, just 15 months after the last election. Liberal MPs held a meeting in state parliament on Tuesday afternoon, which was not attended by Mr Rockliff.
