New Tasmanian independents concerned about ‘divisive’ social reforms

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s social agenda appears doomed, with new balance of power independents expressing serious reservations about transgender reforms, voice and treaty.

Tasmania's new independent MPs, John Tucker and Lara Alexander, outside Parliament House, Hobart. Picture: Matthew Denholm/The Australian

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s social agenda appears doomed, with new balance-of-power independents expressing serious reservations about transgender reforms, voice and treaty.

The state’s political “odd couple” – Lara Alexander, a multilingual accountant who survived Romanian communism, and John Tucker, a folksy, Akubra-wearing farmer – also vowed to give parliament the last say on the AFL stadium and Marinus Link energy ­project.

In exclusive interviews with The Australian, the pair claimed to have received strong support within their former Liberal Party for their May defections to the crossbench, with colleagues hoping the plunge into minority government would drag the Premier “back on the rails”.

Ms Alexander, 55, said she shared concerns a proposed ban on transgender “conversion practices” could criminalise medicos and parents who caution children about the risks and downsides in transitioning to another gender.

Describing herself as an economic and social conservative, Ms Alexander was particularly concerned about the “danger” that migrant families and those with strong religious beliefs might fall foul of the proposed law.

“People from different backgrounds have a different understanding of family dynamics, religion and the way they conduct those discussions with their loved ones,” she said. “There is a lot of fear and anxiety about this.”

The government she had just quit, which is being pressured by trans activists to move more quickly on the legislation, should instead “start all over again”.

“Consultation needs to ensure that people from a multicultural background, from the multitudes of faith we have in Tasmania and Australia, have the opportunity to understand what is proposed,” Ms Alexander said.

“It can have consequences. How do we make sure parents feel comfortable that ultimately they can have those conversations with their children, and that those conversations are not being hijacked by government? That is the biggest fear.”

The former St Vincent de Paul Society chief executive said trans activists had been given a fair hearing, while she was attacked last year for hosting a forum involving opponents of the reforms.

“It’s only fair to ensure those that have concerns are listened to as well,” she said. “Freedom of speech is very important, even though it may be uncomfortable.

“We need to start all over again … with proper consultation and see what comes out of it before we rush through to legislation. I have said to the Premier he needs to consult with the community.”

Mr Tucker, who said Liberal “stalwarts” had backed his defection to the backbench to bring the government “back on the rails”, also expressed reservations. “I do hold concerns around surgical operations on children – there are some big issues here,” he said.

“It is an area of concern among the general public. It’s about communicating and this is where as a Liberal Party we’ve gone wrong. We’re just not listening to people. I do want to have that communication with the Premier.”

Independents John Tucker and Lara Alexander with Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Rob Burnett

Both independent MPs also expressed reservations around Mr Rockliff’s plans for treaty with Aboriginal people and support for an Indigenous voice to parliament, believing them divisive.

“The voice, in the way it’s been put, is city versus rural and regional people, and it’s creating that divide – and I don’t want to see that divide,” said Mr Tucker, 48, who suggested he may have Aboriginal ancestry. He said a treaty in Tasmania, where some peak Indigenous groups deny the Aboriginality of others, was “pitting one (Aboriginal group) against the other”. “We are all Tasmanians,” he said.

Ms Alexander was consulting on treaty and voice but was concerned they were divisive. “There’s a tendency, maybe driven by bureaucrats, towards saying ‘one solution is going to be the panacea for everything’,” she said.

Her concerns about the voice were “grave” and she would campaign against it. “I don’t think creating a bureaucratic body is going resolve actual issues at a grassroots level,” she said.

Both independents made it clear they would vote with opposition parties to amend Project of State Significance legislation to ensure parliament had the final say on the Hobart AFL stadium plan and Marinus Link undersea power cable to Victoria.