Labor plans to move no-confidence motion in Premier when parliament resumes

Premier Jeremy Rockliff will face a no-confidence motion in his leadership as soon as parliament returns next week, Labor says.

Labor's Josh Willie speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff will face a delicately balanced test of his leadership as soon as parliament returns next week.

Labor says it will move a no-confidence motion on Tuesday — and the numbers are tight.

After the departure of former Attorney-General Elise Archer, Mr Rockliff will need the support of both rebel Liberal-turned-independent members John Tucker and Lara Alexander to hang on.

Even with Labor offering a pair to compensate for a missing member in the electorate of Clark, Mr Rockliff’s fate could be determined by a single MP’s vote.

The Liberals will command nine of the 22 votes that will be available on the floor of the house when parliament returns.

The speaker, Liberal MP Mark Shelton, only has a casting vote in the event of a tie.

Labor will have eight votes, taking into account the member for Franklin David O’Byrne and the effect of a member abstaining as part of the pairing arrangement.

Should the Greens and independent Kristie Johnston back Labor’s motion it would have 11 votes behind it — and the vote of either of the two former independents could determine the Premier’s political future.

Mr Tucker last week described Mr Rockliff as a “lame duck” and urged his deputy Michael Ferguson to challenge.

A spokeswoman for Mr Tucker and Mrs Alexander said neither member had changed their position on a deal offering the government their support on matters of confidence and supply, meaning Mr Rockliff can hope for a tied vote to be resolved by the Speaker.

A memorandum of understanding agreed in May requires that “Mrs Alexander and Mr Tucker to provide confidence by voting in favour of the government on any no confidence motion.”

Labor’s Josh Willie said any opposition worth its salt would test the confidence of the parliament in the Premier.

“I can confirm yesterday that the Parliamentary Labor Party met and resolved to move [a motion of] no confidence in the Premier when parliament resumes,” he said.

“This is a Premier that is presiding over one of the most unstable governments in living memory.

“He’s lost three members of his team. This is a government that is fighting among itself.

“It’s not focused on the issues that Tasmanians care about whether that’s progressing the Commission of Inquiry recommendations, health, housing, the cost of living our poor education results.

“We need a government focused on Tasmanians, not itself, and we’re going to hold the Premier accountable for his disastrous disaster as leader of the government.”

Mr Willie also called on the government to advance legislation reforming electoral donation reforms and a proposed ban on gay conversion therapy.

Leader of Government Business Felix Ellis condemned Labor’s plan.

“On Sunday, Ms White said we needed to get back to Parliament without delay to progress the Government’s legislative agenda,” he said.

“Today, she has sent out Josh Willie to confirm Labor’s only priority is to try and block the Government’s agenda and waste more time in Parliament playing political games.

‘Tasmanians don’t like their politicians pulling time-wasting stunts for a headline. They expect their politicians to get on with the job of improving their lives.

“If there’s one thing Labor is consistent about, it’s that they can’t be trusted.”

Originally published as Labor plans to move no-confidence motion in Premier when parliament resumes