Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff hit by staff exodus and unrest

Australia’s only Liberal premier is suffering an exodus of senior staff, unrest over his chief of staff and doubts about his future and that of his minority government.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Chris Kidd

Australia’s only Liberal Premier is suffering an exodus of senior staff, unrest over his chief of staff and doubts about his future and that of his minority government.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has in recent months lost at least six senior staff, including his head of communications, his principal tourism and trade ­adviser, senior health adviser, deputy chief of staff and principal adviser.

Staff and some MPs are unhappy with chief of staff Vanessa Field, a former Labor staffer.

The government was plunged into minority government in May when two Liberal MPs quit for the crossbench in disgust at Mr Rockliff’s handling of plans for a ­Hobart AFL stadium.

The Australian understands there is internal concern that the stadium debate is crowding out other policies, generating fatigue and frustration.

As well, MPs and staff are uncertain whether Mr Rockliff plans to dig in and continue to govern until the next state election due in May 2025, or quit as leader or call an early election.

His Treasurer and deputy, ­Michael Ferguson, is known to want the top job but to have ­decided not to challenge Mr Rockliff, at this point.

Senior staff understood or confirmed to have quit in recent months include communications chief Lee Anderson, Premier’s principal tourism and trade ­adviser Amy Hills, Premier’s senior health adviser Sophie Fitzgerald, deputy chief of staff Barbara McGregor, and principal adviser Tony Mayell.

Some said they left to pursue other opportunities, others refused to comment or could not be contacted.

Some are known to have had concerns with Ms Field and the government’s predicament.

Underlying the extent of the internal chaos, Mr Rockliff has resorted to calling in an external PR and publishing firm, Font PR, to run his communications team until a permanent replacement is found for Mr Anderson.

The instability is a boon for the Labor opposition, which polls suggest is beginning to return to favour with voters after being out of office for nine years.

Labor Treasury spokesman Shane Broad said the government was “sinking fast”.

“The Premier has lost members of his government to the crossbench, plunging it into minority; now a large number of his staff are jumping ship as it keeps taking on water,” Dr Broad said.

“The minority government’s instability is also impacting confidence in the community with economic growth forecast at just 0.4pc.

“It’s been a disastrous few months for the Premier and it can only be a matter of time until his party says enough is enough and his so-called ‘loyal’ deputy, ­Michael Ferguson, challenges for the leadership.”

Mr Rockliff and Ms Field did not respond directly, but a government spokesman said there was “nothing unusual with staff movements”.

“Tasmanians have the right to put up their hands to work in ministerial and parliamentary roles, along with the right to leave them at a time of their choosing,” he said.

“If Labor want to attack highly accomplished Tasmanians for successfully applying for other roles, that says everything Tasmanians need to know about them and their priorities.”

Mr Ferguson declined to comment but has publicly pledged loyalty to Mr Rockliff. It is understood he is not “doing the numbers” for a potential challenge, but that could change if the government’s fortunes dip further.