Ferguson takes seat on backbench after resigning from his ministerial positions
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to lead reforms after the Spirit of Tasmania ferries fiasco claimed the scalp of his deputy. His tribute to Michael Ferguson.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to reform government business enterprises after the Spirit of Tasmania ferries fiasco claimed the scalp of his deputy.
The day after resigning his ministerial posts, former Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson took his seat on the backbench when the House of Assembly resumed for Question Time at 10am on Tuesday.
Premier, Minister for Infrastructure; Tourism and Hospitality; Trade and Major Investments and Acting Treasurer and Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs Jeremy Rockliff said the Tasmanian people were tired of Labor’s approach.
“I’ve never been one for politics, you have,” he said.
“The time for politics is over.
“We’ll sort the Spirits, we will fix the GBEs and we will back our tourism industry.”
Labor leader Dean Winter called on the Premier to spell out the reforms he had in mind for GBEs and offered Labor’s support for bipartisan reform.
Mr Rockliff said Labor was late to the party, but he would welcome suggestions and a joint approach
Independent David O’Byrne called for the boards of both TT-Line and TasPorts to be removed after the Spirits debacle.
Mr Rockliff said change was on the way.
“There needs to be a real review of legislation. We are rewriting the charters of expectations for government business enterprises.
“They need to be held accountable to the Tasmania people.
“My expectation is at the top of the organisational chart of every government business enterprise, the Tasmanian people should be there.”
In a statement issued during Question Time, Mr Rockliff paid tribute to Mr Ferguson.
“As Deputy Premier, Michael has been a valued, hard-working member of our team, and his resignation as a Minister is a great loss to the Tasmanian people,” he said.
“For the past 10 years, Michael has contributed enormously to public policy, holding a range of portfolios including Treasurer, Infrastructure, Housing, State Growth, Health, Small Business, Finance, Local Government and Science and Technology.
“As Minister, Michael has overseen the redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital, the building of a new Women’s and Childrens’ Precinct at the Launceston General Hospital, the almost-completed new Midland Highway, and importantly, the state’s largest ever infrastructure project, the Bridgewater Bridge.
“On a personal level, not only as my deputy but as a colleague for many years, I have appreciated Michael’s sage wisdom, friendship and loyalty.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Ferguson takes seat on backbench after resigning from his ministerial positions
Why it matters if freight arrives by air or sea to King Island
The small island community is pleading with politicians from Canberra to fix the scheme meant to help bring down the cost of valuable freight after the cost of 2L milk surged to $9.
It’s not the first time Ferguson’s fallen
Michael Ferguson’s first speech in Tasmania’s parliament drew upon an ancient motto – dulcius ex asperis — meaning “life is sweeter after difficulty”. Why that was important then, and now.