‘Pontius Pilate’ Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff seals fate of Treasurer Michael Ferguson

Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Ferguson has resigned. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

There was an air of Pontius Pilate to Jeremy Rockliff on Monday, as he washed his hands of his beleaguered deputy and Treasurer, Michael Ferguson.

Yes, there was praise – “diligent” and “full confidence” – but essentially the Premier was sending to the wolves a colleague of 14 years, while blaming others for his pending execution. It was a confronting demonstration of the brutality of politics, which left Ferguson no choice but to quit, which he did late in the day.

Some in the party may accuse Rockliff of treachery. Indeed, arch conservative Eric Abetz went public on Sunday with advice to Ferguson – a fellow conservative – not to resign, even if a no-confidence motion passed. Rockliff clearly felt this concept had to be slapped down, and quickly.

Abetz, a former Howard era-minister and leading candidate to replace Ferguson as treasurer, was technically correct: such a vote is not legally binding. However, to flout the will of parliament would have been an assault on longstanding convention and the Westminster system itself.

It would have even further destabilised the government, which relies on independents for its very existence. MPs could have rightly refused to deal with Ferguson as a minister lacking the confidence of the Assembly.

Such belligerence could have precipitated a far more serious crisis, potentially even an early election. Rockliff’s stance was pragmatic and responsible.

Even so, it is extraordinary: a Treasurer having to exit stage left in the very week parliament is due to pass his third budget.

It remains to be seen if Ferguson, from the backbench, will repay the favour by joining other conservatives in undermining the moderate Premier and his weakened minority government.

“Rocky” could try to reduce that risk by appointing another conservative, such as Abetz or Felix Ellis, to Treasury, but will be tempted to take the key portfolio into his own hands.

The government is losing one of its most experienced operatives but one who has presided over a monumental stuff-up – the ferries fiasco – and set Tasmania on a deep debt trajectory.

Tasmanians can only hope whoever succeeds Ferguson reverses the debt spiral, and has more of a stomach for the kind of structural reform long ignored but so badly needed.