3 days ago
Tania Rattray appointed as Leader for the Government in Tasmania's Legislative Council
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has appointed independent Tania Rattray as Leader for the Government in Tasmania's Legislative Council, an appointment Mr Rockliff sees as "enhancing collaboration" across the chamber.
Ms Rattray, an independent for McIntyre in the state's north-east, accepted the position following a phone call with the premier on Thursday, after citing her frustration with how the house had been functioning.
In her new role, she will be tasked with managing government business and steering legislation through the upper house, but will remain an independent.
After Tasmanians returned another hung parliament in July's election, a desire for more collaboration has been a prominent theme in ongoing negotiations.
Ms Rattray said she will advocate for government legislation in the role, "unless there is something that I strongly disagree with that the people of McIntyre have asked me not to support".
Liberal member for Prosser, Minister Kerry Vincent will serve as Deputy Leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council.
With a motion of no-confidence in the Liberal government expected when parliament resumes on August 19, the appointments could be short-lived.
On Wednesday, Mr Rockliff was returned to the role of premier by Tasmania's Governor Barbara Baker, despite his party holding just 14 of the 18 seats needed in the lower house to hold a majority.
He will lead a minority government that will need to work more collaboratively with a growing crossbench of independents and Greens.
Announcing the appointment, Premier Rockliff said, "we are enhancing collaboration as part of the new parliament, with Ms Rattray's appointment marking a step forward in achieving that".
"The people of Tasmania are asking for sensible approaches to work collaboratively, and that's exactly what I am committed to delivering in accepting this position," Ms Rattray said.
The appointment of a crossbencher is also set to ease the workload of Liberal minority government members.
There are currently three liberal MLCs: Nick Duigan, Jo Palmer and Kerry Vincent.
On Thursday, the premier appointed them each to multiple ministerial portfolios.
The previous long-term Leader of the Government, Leonie Hiscutt, retired from parliament in May.
Minister Jo Palmer then took over the responsibilities, but it quickly became clear why the role historically does not coincide with a busy ministerial portfolio.
"Facilitating briefings became a very challenging exercise for the leader because she was also required to be at question time," Ms Rattray said.
"We had to cut short briefings and there was a sense of frustration among members."
Ms Rattray has more than two decades of experience in politics.
She was elected to the seat of Apsley in 2004, which later became McIntyre after an electoral boundary redraw.
She is the fifth independent to serve in the role since World War II, but the first since 1998.
In a post on X, Greens MLC Cassie O'Connor congratulated her colleague but called into question Ms Rattray's continued independence.
Ms Rattray was quick to respond, saying "an appointment of this nature is not unprecedented".
"I don't see that that is going to be perhaps as big an issue as what the honourable member for Hobart anticipates," she said.
"Obviously, we'll see. But I will still be the member for McIntyre and that will be my first and foremost focus.
"I am focused on the role I can play, contributing to the efficient functioning of the Legislative Council and the parliament in the best interests of all Tasmanians."
