Labor says Hickey-Archer spat doesn’t spell stable government

Infighting between senior MPs put paid to the Liberals’ claim to be a “stable majority government” Labor says, as the latest spat about election brochures shows cracks in the Liberals’ facade.

• Hickey broadside after being left out of Liberal party brochures
• Tasmanian Government denies Archer-Hickey feud

INFIGHTING between senior MPs put paid to the Liberals’ claim to be a “stable majority government”, Labor says.

Deputy Opposition leader Michelle O’Byrne said the latest spat between Speaker Sue Hickey and Attorney-General Elise Archer showed dysfunction and division at the heart of government.

Ms Hickey on Tuesday fired off at Ms Archer’s “recent performance difficulties” after the speaker was omitted from Liberal party flyers for the seat of Clark, which the pair share.

Ms O’Byrne said with the resignation of Joan Rylah and Ms Hickey’s likely ouster from the party’s ticket, the government was showing signs of internal turmoil.

Labor leader Rebecca White alongside Michelle O'Byrne during question time in state Parliament. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“The Liberals can’t credibly claim to be a majority government when it is plain for everyone to see that Sue Hickey will not be preselected again,” she said.

“Peter Gutwein’s Government is far from united or stable. In reality, it is dysfunctional and divided,” she said.

“The constant churn of resignations and ministerial reshuffles within Liberal ranks makes it impossible to provide the stability and good governance Tasmanians deserve.

A government spokesman said Ms Archer would not be commenting on the flyers, but said Ms Hickey was not included out of respect for her position.

“Due to her role as Speaker and the independent nature of that position Ms Hickey was not included in a recent brochure which was funded by individual member resources,” the spokesman said.

Tasmanian Liberal campaign pamphlet for Clark showing only Elise Archer as a candidate.

“If Ms Hickey wants to put out her own Liberal brochure, noting her desire to retain some independence, that is a matter for her.”

Ms O’Byrne also took aim at former Labor member turned independent Madeleine Ogilvie — who appeared at a government press conference alongside Deputy Premier and Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday.

“If Madeleine Ogilvie wants to nail her colours to the Liberal mast that is a matter for her,” Ms O’Byrne said.

A government spokeswoman said Ms Ogilvie’s central role at a government media event was nothing unusual.

“Ms Ogilvie contacted the Government in February about our Northern suburbs high schools and asked to be involved in the second stage of consultation. An invitation to the consultation launch was extended out of courtesy due to her proactive engagement to date with the Hobart City Partner Schools initiative,” she said.

Labor Leader Rebecca White. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Labor leader Rebecca White said the long-running Hickey-Archer feud would probably never be resolved.

“I think most Tasmanians would be shaking their head at the government today and wondering why they can’t sort themselves out,” she said.

“We’re in the middle of a pandemic and there’s still petty disputes occurring between Sue Hickey and Elise Archer.”

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