Liberal Party state executive win for Jeremy Rockliff, energy price relief announced for Tasmanians

The Liberal Party has elected Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s preferred candidates to its state executive, as he unveils a new energy price relief policy.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff at Tasmania’s Liberal state council meeting in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In a win for Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, the Liberal Party has elected his preferred candidates to key positions on its state executive, narrowly defeating what some had called an attempted ‘coup’.

A ballot of delegates to the party’s state council, meeting in Hobart on Saturday, elected Catholic Archdiocesan master of ceremonies Michael McKenna as party president and re-elected party treasurer Rod Bramich.

Both had faced challenges – Mr McKenna from maverick conservative Brendan Blomeley for president and Mr Bramich from small businessman Corey Mingari for treasurer.

Mr Rockliff, who has in recent months battled internal revolts and a staff exodus, had not publicly backed candidates for the key positions but multiple sources said he backed Mr McKenna and Mr Bramich.

It ends what some in the party described as an attempted ‘coup’ by several conservatives – led by Mr Blomeley and former senator Eric Abetz – to seize control of the executive.

However, The Australian understands the vote for president was extremely close – 93 votes to Mr McKenna and 85 to Mr Blomeley, pointing to considerable disquiet within the party at the status quo.

Supporters of change had rejected that description, saying the push was about renewal and diversity in the party and sending a message to “leadership elites”.

Mr Rockliff had earlier on Saturday used a speech to the council to appeal to party delegates to unify after a bruising period, following the defection of two MPs to the crossbench and an effective revolt by an entire party branch.

“Sometimes, particularly when we are in government, it can seem that there is a gap between the members of a party and the parliamentary wing,” Mr Rockliff said.

“So, I want to assure those of you here today that particularly over recent months, I and my team have been working hand in glove with our party executive.

“As the last Liberal government standing in this country, and myself as the last Liberal Premier, I understand what an extraordinary responsibility I have – that we as a government have, that we all in this room have – as the standard-bearers of Liberals in this nation.”

Mr Blomeley said he could not comment on internal party matters but “wished the incoming president and executive well”.

Mr Rockliff, a leading moderate who had alienated some in the party who complained his government had lost touch with the party’s grassroots, reassured delegates he was committed to core Liberal values.

He said these included “aspiration and reward for effort, individual freedom, freedom of speech and choice, personal responsibility and lower taxes”.

Addressing mounting concern over cost of living and rising energy bills, Mr Rockliff announced a “Renewable Energy Dividend” to return a share of the profits of the state-owned Hydro Tasmania power generator to taxpayers.

“Just like shareholders receive a dividend when a business is making a profit, Tasmanians will now directly share in Hydro’s profits, when their dividends exceed $100 million,” he said.

“For example, Tasmanians could expect a saving of around $100 off their power bill for the year, if Hydro delivered a dividend of around $160 million.

“Hydro’s passed that $100 million threshold five times in the past 10 years … This is an innovative cost of living measure that will help every single Tasmanian household with their energy bills – that’s around 254,000 households, including those who receive concessions.”

Labor said the scheme was no substitute for its proposal to cap power prices. “Today’s policy backflip does nothing for businesses fighting against power bills that have doubled or tripled and it does nothing for major industrials who can’t get the power they need and have no certainty once Hydro becomes a firmer and refuses to deal with them,” said Labor energy spokesman Dean Winter.