Liberal and Labor parties call for nominations as they prepare for early election

The date for an early election has not been set, but already the major parties are getting ready for an early election – the second in 15 months. How MPs began their campaigns.

Labor leader Dean Winter in Glenorchy in relation to keeping Tasmania's assets in public hands. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

An election hasn’t yet been called but both major parties are already in campaign mode.

The Labor Party emailed members on Friday seeking nominations and the Liberal Party is expected to look at preselections on Thursday.

It is rumoured that defeated federal Liberal Bass candidate Bridget Archer and former federal Labor Lyons member Brian Mitchell may be considering running.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Dean Winter and the party’s treasury spokesman Josh Willie both held media events on Saturday along with Greens leader Dr Rosalie Woodruff.

Dr Woodruff wrote to Mr Winter offering him confidence and supply to him as Premier to deliver stable government.

Josh Willie was first out of the blocks saying Mr Rockliff had lost not only the support of parliament but also other Liberals and the business community.

Josh Willie Labor member for Clark out on the stadium. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We’re absolutely ready to go to an election if Jeremy Rockliff calls one on Tuesday,” he said.

Mr Rockliff, was joined at Devonport by Energy Minister Nick Duigan and two TasNetworks staff and a board director Cathy Schaefer to outline why there would be no privatisations of government business enterprises.

“I’m not going to allow Dean Winter, who has been hellbent on working with the Greens to destroy this parliament, to run a deceitful campaign on privatisation,” the Premier said.

“We did not commit to sell any government assets. We were simply doing the work and encouraging a mature and balanced conversation that the business community wanted.

“We will introduce legislation to ensure that any asset sales that go through the parliament will need two-thirds majority support of the parliament,” he said.

“Our budget has a sensible pathway to surplus without selling any assets.”

“What Dean Winter has demonstrated is that he is a wrecker, he’s immature and not fit to be a Premier of Tasmania.

“I am committed to a sensible pathway to surplus without slash and burning and sacking public servants like happened under the Labor Green Government a number of years ago.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff having coffee with Jan after she finished her Bunnings BBQ and is a 15 year Lions Club member. Picture: Jeremy Rockliff Facebook

Despite the vote of no-confidence in him in parliament Mr Rockliff said he was “resilient”, was supported by all his colleagues and had “great feedback” from the public including “passionate Labor people” telling him to keep going”.

Mr Winter was joined by Labor’s health spokeswoman Ella Haddad, Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday and Health and Community Services Union secretary Robbie Moore and workers outside an Adult Mental Health Service at Glenorchy which is being privatised.

Ms Haddad said the 12-bed service, managed by the Health Department, was “critical” to patients.

“We have a direct example here of public sector mental health beds that will be privatised under Mr Rockliff’s privatisation agenda,” she said.

Mr Winter said Mr Rockliff was “clinging on to power with everything he’s got” and could not be believed on his announcement that there would be no privatisations.

“This is a Premier who made this a signature part of his budget only last week,” he said.

“When you privatise, prices go up, profits that pay for schools and hospitals disappear and the jobs that are supported by those businesses go offshore.

Ella Haddad Labor member for Clark. Labor leader Dean Winter in Glenorchy in relation to keeping Tasmania's assets in public hands. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We can’t stand for that, we don’t stand that, but we know the Liberals do.

“You cannot trust Jeremy Rockliff right now. He is desperately clinging onto power and he’ll do everything he can to stay in the Premier role.

“He’s driving Tasmania into $11bn worth of net debt. His only plan is to privatise the assets that we’ve built together for 100 years.”

Mr Winter said in his budget-reply-speech he outline half a billion dollars’ worth of savings “but that’s just the start”.

He ruled out an agreement with the Greens because they were opposed on many issues.

“I support traditional industries like forestry, like mining. I support the salmon industry. I support building a stadium. The Greens are opposed to all of that,” he said.

Dr Woodruff urged Mr Winter to “step up” and avoid an early election that no-one wants.

“Dean Winter has made it clear he has a problem with the Greens,” she said.

“But in times like this, and with an election potentially days away, he needs to put those personal feelings to the side and work in the best interests of all Tasmanians. Just because we don’t see eye-to-eye on everything doesn’t mean we can’t work constructively for our state.”

Originally published as Liberal and Labor parties call for nominations as they prepare for early election