Jeremy Rockliff says he’ll work with the cross bench
Tasmania’s Premier says he will not abandon his support for the Mac Point stadium as he looks to crossbenchers for support and prepares to “get on with the job”.
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Tasmania’s Premier is confident he can convince crossbenchers to support a Liberal minority government as he prepares to visit the governor so he can “get on with the job”.
Speaking on Sunday, Jeremy Rockliff said with Liberals securing the most numbers of seats — with more than 70 per cent of the total votes counted — he intended to form government.
“I will go to the governor and seek the recommissioning of our government, so we can get on the job and provide the certainty and stability that Tasmanians deserve,” he said.
Mr Rockliff said he had reached out to potential crossbench members Craig Garland, Peter George, Kristie Johnston and Carlo Di Falco from the Fishers, Shooters and Farmers Party.
Mr Garland and Mr George are opposed to Mac Point Stadium and salmon fishing, Ms Johnston has also spoken against native logging and salmon farming.
“My view is that the crossbench in the cold, hard light of day will recognise the Liberal Party with the most number of seats are able to form a cabinet,” he said.
Mr Rockliff said he was willing to make this parliament work for the best interests of Tasmanians but would not fold on getting the stadium built.
“What the vote also said was two thirds of Tasmanians voted for a Tassie Devils and a pro stadium position,” he said.
Mr Rockliff said he was “confident” he will make the stadium happen.
He said over the past 15 months he had shown an ability to work across the chamber.
“I was proud to get most of our agenda through because the Tasmanian people expect their members of parliament to be mature in their approach, pragmatic and willing to listen to all sides,” Mr Rockliff said.
“No member of parliament, including myself can expect to get 100 per cent of what we want through 100 per cent of the time.”
Mr Rockliff said when it came to native logging and salmon farming, the Liberals would “remain in our resolve to our clear commitments.”
While it remains early days, Mr Rockliff may have to reselect some of his cabinet ministers.
“I’m very comforted by the fact that we have people like Bridget (Archer) and Gavin (Pearce) that has come into our team,” he said.
“I’m very proud of the team that we’ve got already.”
Ms Archer said just like in her federal role, she would approach each issue with due consideration.
“I own all my decisions, I turn up, I am honest about my decisions and I am accountable to every decision I made,” she said.
“I think it is unreasonable and undesirable to have leaders who aren’t prepared to be open-minded, who aren’t prepared to look at the information that is available and to look at the bigger picture and take pragmatic steps to move forwards, not to remain fixed.
“My approach has always been that you have no business being in politics or political life, if you’re not prepared to die on a hill but you can’t die on every one.”
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