Premier stands by Michael Ferguson despite looming no confidence motion
Despite a looming no confidence motion over the handling of T-T Line and TasPorts, Michael Ferguson still has the support of the Premier, who backed him in this morning. Here’s what was said.
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Hot from his return from the US, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has thrown his full support behind beleaguered Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson ahead of an expected no-confidence motion when parliament resumes on Tuesday.
Mr Rockliff said Mr Ferguson had “accepted responsibility” for the Spirits bungle, and described the no-confidence motion as a “disappointment”.
“When it comes to the situation with the Spirit of Tasmania, I am hugely disappointed,” he said.
“I’ve accepted responsibility. I’ve apologised, as has Minister Ferguson. Minister Ferguson has paid the ultimate price when it comes to his responsibility by resigning the infrastructure portfolio.”
A number of MPs, including former Labor leader turned independent David O’Byrne, indicated they are likely to support the motion if it is raised.
Mr Rockliff said if a no-confidence motion did pass, Mr Ferguson would resign as a minister and head to the backbench.
“If the Labor Party move a no-confidence motion, then we will deal with that on the floor of the house,” he said.
“We will always accept the will of the parliament, and should there be a no confidence moved and passed, Minister Ferguson will be resigning as minister and going to the back bench.”
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