Brendan Blomeley says Eric Abetz has done the ‘heavy lifting’ and should replace Rockliff

A former senior member of the Liberal Party is backing his friend to replace Jeremy Rockliff. Read why he thinks Eric Abetz is the person for the job.

Brendan Blomeley mayor Clarence City Council. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Clarence mayor and former Liberal party veteran Brendan Blomeley wants Premier Jeremy Rockliff to resign and Eric Abetz to take his job.

Mr Blomeley, who was expelled from the party last year for not ruling out running as an independent at the 2024 election, is a close friend and former factional ally of Mr Abetz,

“We need to thank Premier Rockliff for his more than two decades of service including the last 11 years when he’s served as either Deputy Premier or Premier — in anyone’s books that’s a significant contribution to our state,” he said.

“But the House now no longer has confidence in him, he needs to do the honourable thing.

“He needs to resign and make way for a new leader of the Liberal Party and a new Premier of our state.”

Minister Eric Abetz. Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff faces a no-confidence motion. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Blomeley said Mr Abetz had done all the “heavy lifting” and was the “one, clear credible candidate”.

“There is no doubt that someone with Eric’s experience, his work ethic and his knowledge would make a fantastic contribution and it’s fair to say too that over the last 14 months Minister Abetz has been the one doing all the heavy lifting in that government and as Julian Amos said today, there’s only one credible candidate and that is Eric,” he said.

In his regular newsletter sent on Monday, Dr Amos, a former Labor Minister from 1979-82, said there were three scenarios possible after the House of Assembly voted to support a no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff.

“Stay with the present Premier, who wants to hold an election that no-one wants, a new Liberal leader, in all likelihood Eric Abetz or the Labor leader, with less numbers than the present Government,” he wrote.

AFL High Performance Centre, City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley and Minister Nic Street at Rosny. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Blomeley said Tasmanians were “angry and disappointed that we’re in this position” and an election would be unnecessary and expensive.

“Significantly, business confidence is through the floor,” he said.

“We’re a laughing stock on the national stage.

“It’s avoidable, and if people put aside petty egos and self-ambition, we could actually move forward together as a state.

“It’s important that cool, calm, mature heads prevail here.

“We need some grown-ups in state parliament, people that will put aside petty egos and self-ambition and work in the best interests of our state.”

Mr Blomeley said he had not considered running if there was an election.

Alderman says Liberals ‘dreaming’ if they think they can win election

Prominent Hobart alderman Marti Zucco says Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s “stubbornness and ego” are driving Tasmanians to an election the Liberal Party cannot win.

He said Mr Rockliff must show true leadership, as other MPs had done in the past, and resign.

“Premier Rockliff must stop sitting on his high horse and do what’s right for all Tasmanians,” Mr Zucco said.

Hobart City Alderman Marti Zucco at The Den, Salamanca. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Many politicians have faced similar situations and taken the honourable path.

“Former Minister Michael Ferguson demonstrated real leadership when he stepped aside in comparable circumstances. David O’Byrne faced controversy, took responsibility, and has come back stronger.

“Politicians at both state and federal levels have had to step aside. Premier Rockliff is no different.”

The entire Cabinet, he said, was “dragging us toward an election” and “must stop acting like schoolyard bullies and do the right thing”.

“My message to Rockliff and the Liberal Cabinet is simple: you’re all dreaming if you think you can win this election,” Mr Zucco said.

He promised to donate $20,000 to charity if the Liberals won more than 13 seats – they hold 14 now.

“I will back up this challenge with a $20,000 donation to a charity of Rockliff’s choice if the Liberals win more than 13 seats.

“(It is) time for Rockliff to step up like many others before him and step aside for the good of all Tasmanians.”

“The Liberal Party should put up a new leader and then test the floor of Parliament. A new Liberal leader might just make Parliament work.”

Mr Zucco called on the Liberal Cabinet to “wake up and read the tea leaves” rather than show blind solidarity toward a Premier he believes is leading the party toward electoral defeat.

Originally published as Brendan Blomeley says Eric Abetz has done the ‘heavy lifting’ and should replace Rockliff