‘Act like adults’: Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls for stable government
Tasmania’s peak business body has called for an end to political instability as speculation of an early election increases. What the government says >>
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The state’s peak business body has called for an end to political instability as speculation of an early election increases.
Releasing the March quarter Survey of Business Expectation, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said the report revealed a sense of optimism in the strength and prospects of the state economy.
But he said that it was time to end political bickering and pointscoring and focus on solving the real problems Tasmania faced.
The defection of two Liberal MPs, the government’s struggles in parliament and an exodus of senior staff from the Premier’s office have increased concerns the state may be headed to the polls before the end of the year.
“We know that Tasmania businesses thrive in stability. The last decade has been a time of great political stability in Tasmania and that’s been really important to us,” Mr Bailey said.
“It’s time for our politicians to really start to focus on getting back to being good government and also for them to act like adults right across the parliament.
“We don’t want instability, we don’t want change right now. We want a stable government going forward and it’s time that they just focus on the job of being government.
“The last thing Tasmanians want is to go back to the polls, but it is interesting to see across the state, our political advertisers starting the pop up around the streets and on the highways.
“I certainly hope that’s there’s not already any thoughts of an early election.”
Mr Bailey said labour shortages, the cost of doing business, insurance price rises and interest rates were top of the list of business concerns at present.
“We just haven’t seen the stadium listed as a critical issue for our members, what they’re talking about are the basics of doing business,” he said.
Labor MLC Josh Willie said the Liberal government was in terminal decline.
“Business confidence takes a hit when there’s an unstable political environment,” he said.
“We’re facing the prospect of an early election again, because this government is collapsing before our eyes.”
Mr Willie said Premier Jeremy Rockliff was facing problems of his own making.
“He had warning signs that he didn’t act upon. He’s been told that he’s not responding to the issues that Tasmanians care about by his own MPs and his own staff.
“He’s conducted himself in a manner that is disconnected from the reality many Tasmanians are facing.”
Minister for Hospitality and Events Nic Street said an early election was not presently on the cards.
“We fully expect to be going to March or May 2025, whenever the four-year term ends.
“We’re not talking about an early election. We’re talking about what we need to do to serve the Tasmanian people to the best of our ability as a government going forward.”
Mr Street rejected the idea that high turnover of ministerial staff was a suggestion of instability or a cause for concern.
“To be perfectly honest there is always turnover of staff within government. The only alternative to having a turnover of staff is to only hire people who can’t get a job anywhere else.
“We will hire more senior staff and we will get on with the job of serving Tasmanians.”
Originally published as ‘Act like adults’: Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls for stable government
Council attitude to Hobart homeless “hostile”, activists say
A group of activists say the City of Hobart has been “hostile” towards homeless people, at a time when many are doing it tough. Here’s why they removed fencing around heritage trees.
Peking Duk announce surprise Hobart show
It is a bit of a risk announcing a show only a few weeks out, but that does not matter when you are Peking Duk. Where and when the electronic duo are playing.