Eric Abetz pledges support for Jeremy Rockliff, denies leadership ambitions as cabinet sworn-in

The Rockliff Liberal government’s new ministry has been sworn in during a ceremony at Government House in Hobart on Thursday morning, where leadership ambitions were denied.

The Rockliff Liberal government’s new ministry has been sworn in during a ceremony at Government House in Hobart on Thursday morning.

“As you can clearly see, it’s a great team, full of experience, and commitment and dedication, not only to their respective areas but most importantly, to the Tasmanian people,” Mr Rockliff said.

A day after signing a deal with the Jacqui Lambie Network to shore up support for his government, Mr Rockliff was unable to say where he had secured the final vote to be assured of surviving no-confidence motions in the House of Assembly.

“I’m having constructive conversations with independents and absolutely will have confidence and supply for the house and look forward to government getting on with the job,” he said.

“I have engaged with independents and continue to do that.”

Joining Mr Rockliff at a press conference after the swearing-in, Transport Minister Eric Abetz denied harbouring leadership ambitions.

New Transport Minister Eric Abetz and Premier Jeremy Rockliff at the cabinet swearing-in.

“The Premier is a fantastic leader, our deputy premier is a fantastic deputy leader, Leonie Hiscutt and Jo Palmer in the Upper House are a fantastic leader and deputy leader.

“We gathered together, when there was a question of who would nominate as leader, there was applause and unanimity that it should be the premier and exactly the same for our deputy; a cohesive team focused only on one thing” the service of the people of Tasmania.

“It’s a great honour to be appointed by the premier to his ministry and I dedicate myself to his service and the people of Tasmania in the various roles that I’m given.”

Mr Abetz, a conservative Christian, faced a series of questions about his position on a proposed ban on gay conversion therapy.

“That is one of a plethora of issues that we as the government will deal with. There’s a draft bill at the moment, there is no legislation just a draft bill, and that’ll be worked through in due course.

The new Liberal minority government cabinet is sworn in at Government House, Thursday, April 11, 2024.

He said the Liberal Party had an established procedure for members who could not support policy.

“If it’s against my principles, I will first of all have to talk to the Premier and indicate to him that I would be resigning from cabinet and then cross the floor,” he said.

“Now, I don’t foresee any such circumstance arising, but that’s how we do it in the Liberal Party.”

Mr Abetz, who was introduced by the Premier as “a person that I’ve known for well over 30 years” said the Liberal Party was “a broad church”.

“The fact the two of us are standing together, supportive of each other is indicative of that,” he said.

Originally published as Eric Abetz pledges support for Jeremy Rockliff, denies leadership ambitions as cabinet sworn-in