Former Tasmanian Liberal Premier Tony Rundle offers sage advice for Jeremy Rockliff after MP’s resignation

Tony Rundle, the last Liberal Premier to govern in minority, says Jeremy Rockliff must do all he can to keep his two former colleagues on side. HIS ADVICE >

Tony Rundle, the former Tasmanian premier in the days after Port Arthur.

Tony Rundle, the last Liberal Premier to govern in minority, says Jeremy Rockliff must do all he can to keep his two former colleagues on side.

Mr Rundle governed in minority with the Greens for 30 months between 1996 and 1998.

Like everyone else, he says he was surprised that Lara Alexander and John Tucker jumped ship.

“It was a bit like when Gutwein (former Premier) went overnight,” Mr Rundle said.

“The government will only last as long as the two who have resigned give Jeremy (Rockliff) supply and don’t support no confidence motions against him.

“Obviously Rebecca White will move a motion of no confidence first up on the stadium.

“It would be a big move for them to send him to an election and I’m not sure they would have the stomach to do that but I could be wrong.”

Mr Rundle, who governed with the support of Greens’ leader Christine Milne, said negotiating was the key.

Tony Rundle, the former Tasmanian premier in the days after Port Arthur. Picture: Rob Burnett

“It is important Jeremy spends time with them to keep them on side, that should be his number one priority,” he said.

“He’s got a very complicated agenda and it won’t be easy for him.”

Mr Rundle said he “spent a lot of time” negotiating with the Greens.

“Christine Milne was a tough opponent but if she gave you her word she never went back on it so that made things a bit easier,” he said.

Although governing in minority, the Rundle government is credited with supporting national gun law reform in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre, gay law reform, apologising to the Stolen Generation, joining the digital world and signing the Regional Forest Agreement in 1997.

Mr Rundle said reform of local government was going to be a “controversial issue” for the Rockliff government.

“ (Mr) Tucker may not want his area interfered with,” he said.

On the stadium, Mr Rundle said the big question was whether it would be viable and whether it could be built within its budget.

Mr Rundle lost government after calling an election on reducing the size of parliament.

Mr Rundle said Tasmania had “never performed better” than with a smaller parliament.

“Every administration is entitled to guard its legacy,” he wrote in the Mercury in 2014.

“I am convinced that for a minority government in power for a mere 30 months, our record will stand scrutiny.”