Sue Hickey hits out at election blame as Rebecca White says ‘game on’ to election despite baby
Speaker Sue Hickey has roasted the government, saying independent MPs are not to blame for the upcoming election – instead, pointing to a slew of ‘undelivered promises’ by the state. LATEST >>
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SUE Hickey says she should not be used as the reason why an early election was called, and accused the government of lacking bravery in going to the polls early.
It comes after the Speaker of the House of Assembly was effectively “sacked” from the party after being told on Sunday by Premier Peter Gutwein that she would not be preselected for the next election.
With Ms Hickey now an independent, it put the Liberals into minority with just 12 seats in the 25-seat House of Assembly.
In a strong response to Mr Gutwein calling the election on Friday morning, Ms Hickey said she and fellow independent Madeleine Ogilvie had guaranteed confidence and supply.
“We are not the reason,’’ she said.
“A brave government would not be going to an election right now. We have too many problems that are not fixed.”
Ms Hickey said crises in housing and health, traffic woes and continued economic impacts of COVID-19 were just some of the issues the government should be focused on.
“We have heaps and heaps of announcements. There’s always an announcement and there’s always a new thought, but where are the things on the ground?” she said.
“A brave government would have pushed on, delivered, and most importantly would have put through their legislation on donation control.”
Ms Hickey was asked if the Premier informed her about the early election.
“Well, like everything else, he didn’t (tell me),’’ she said.
But Ms Hickey admitted the early election did make some sense, given the Premier’s popularity in repeated polls.
“The Premier’s riding on a high … I’m not too certain the rest of his ministers are,’’ she said.
“Going through COVID … every leader of the country that has led their state through COVID has done well. They are looking popular because they dealt with COVID, which they should do as that’s what leaders do.
“But that doesn’t give you a free kick to say well ‘I’m the best Premier in the state’ or ‘I’m the best government’, he has to show us what he’s actually delivered.
“And so far, I’m just seeing more and more people in poverty, distress, mental health issues, we’re not fixing drug and alcohol … and infrastructure is a disgrace.”
Game on: Bec’s ‘boss’ reply to election pregnancy concerns
March 26, 11.37am
Opposition Leader Rebecca White has responded to commentators that her pregnancy would “complicate” Labor’s campaign now Tasmania is heading to the polls early.
Earlier, Peter Gutwein said “now” was the only time it was feasible to call an election, as later in the year Ms White would be giving birth, and with a newborn.
“I have given this a great deal of thought. Obviously an election later this year is completely out of the question,” Mr Gutwein said.
ABC political analyst Antony Green tweeted “Tasmanian Labor and Opposition Leader Rebecca White is due to give birth in June which could complicate Labor’s campaign in the election.”
“I’m not sure why?” Ms White replied on Twitter. “Plenty of pregnant woman continue to work. I’m no different and I can assure everyone that as far as I’m concerned it’s game on!”
I’m not sure why? Plenty of pregnant woman continue to work. I’m no different and I can assure everyone that as far as I’m concerned it’s game on!
— Rebecca White (@bec_white) March 26, 2021
The Labor leader’s tweet is racking up hundreds of likes and retweets, with one commenter simply replying “Boss!”
Ms White is also being compared with popular New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern, who became the second woman in history to give birth while an elected leader and first elected leader to take maternity leave.
Federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek also joined in commendingMs White on her response, tweeting that she had continued to work while pregnant in politics.
“I was pregnant during both the 2004 and 2010 campaigns,” she wrote.
“I was a minister in 2010 and travelled all over Australia campaigning.
“I’m sure Rebecca White will manage admirably. She deserves to win and Tassie deserves a great Labor leader like her.”
Tasmania will go to the polls on May 1, after Premier Peter Gutwein announced an election this morning, despite promising the government would go to full term.
The departure of Sue Hickey from the Liberal government’s ranks has forced the move, with Mr Gutwein saying “Tasmania can’t afford the uncertainty of a minority government”.
“This morning, I called on the governor and requested that election be held for the house assembly at May 1,” he said.
“Now more than ever, we need a strong, stable majority government. That is why the this election, will be about who can deliver a strong, stable government to secure Tasmania’s future.”
Mr Gutwein used the announcement to take potshots at the Labor and Greens parties.
“Labor are indecisive, have no plan, and we all know they will do a deal with the anti- everything Greens if there is a hung parliament, just like they did last time.”
The Liberal government has also vowed to disclose all election donations exceeding $5000 after years of muddy political donation laws.
“I want to assure Tasmanians that a re-elected majority Liberal government will legislate the changes we have publicly announced,” Mr Gutwein said.
“But because that obviously can’t happen in time for this election, the Liberal Party has agreed to voluntarily disclose, within two business days, all donations received by the state campaign exceeding $5,000.”
Mr Gutwein also fended of questions of “political self-interest” by reporters, citing Sue Hickey’s departure from the Liberal government and tactical timing, with Labor leader Rebeecca White’s heavily pregnant during the election period.
“This is a decision made to secure Tasmania’s future,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Minority government is where the government stands right now. That will lead to dysfunction, it will lead to a lack of confidence was up we have come too far, too far in terms of the work that has gone to ensure that Tasmania is a safe and one of the safest places on the planet, our clear plan is working, as we rebuild Tasmania and I want to continue with that plan.”
#BABYGATE
TASMANIA’S Twitterati, as well as reporters were quick to point out the leader of the Liberal government’s only major competition in the Labor Party, Bec White, will be heavily pregnant during the campaigning period.
Mr Gutwein said “now” was the only time it was feasible to call an election, as later in the year Ms White would be giving birth, and with a newborn.
“I have given this a great deal of thought. Obviously an election later this year is completely out of the question,” Mr Gutwein said.
If the Tas Liberals are deliberately pushing an election to the time when the Opposition Leader will be 7/8 months pregnant to diminish her capacity to participate...it's despicable. That is not a democratic strategy and it's anti-women and they will deserve to lose. #politas
— Briony Kidd (@BrionyKidd) March 26, 2021
I cannot believe that Gutwein is using the opposition leader's unborn child as a reason why he can't call an election later in the year, and literally as a reason for him calling the election now. He's said it twice now in this presser. This is appalling #politas
— Sophie Rigney (@sophiejrigney) March 26, 2021
Gutwein’s comments about the “anti-everything Greens doing a deal with Laborâ€, and implications that Rebecca White is unfit to lead/do things because she’s “giving birth in July and will have a newborn after that†are… pretty gross. #politas
— Dr Paris B-A (he/him) 🖋📚 #HeadFirstSwift 🖖 (@parisba) March 26, 2021
Gutwein painting it as being concern for Bec White that they want to have the election when she's 8 months pregnant in May rather than *while she's giving birth* or when she has a newborn later in the year. Pull the other one mate, it's got bells on. #politas
— Briony Kidd (@BrionyKidd) March 26, 2021
“In late June Ms White will be giving birth. I understand through July will have a newborn child.
“Right now we are in a minority government situation. The election will be held by May 1 or on May 1 and this matter will be over one way or the other.”
Ms White hit back quickly on social media.
“Labor has a clear plan to get more Tasmanians into jobs, improve access to health care, make sure people have a place to call home and our young people can get the skills they need for the future,” the post read.
“And Labor will always back TAFE, unlike the Liberal Party who want to blow TAFE up and privatise it.
“I’m proud of my strong and hard working team and I know together we can make Tasmania a better and fairer place with a majority Labor government.”
EARLIER: Premier Peter Gutwein has arrived at Government House, all but confirming talk he is about to call an early election.
Sources told the Mercury yesterday they understood the Premier could call the election today, and the election itself could be held as early as May 1.
Health Minister weighs in on election
THE state government will open a fifth COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the state’s north west, as the program ramps up at regional sites around the state.
Health Minister Sarah Courtney declined to comment on Premier Peter Gutwein’s movements today or on the timing of an election, as she delivered a vaccine update in Launceston.
Questioned on whether an election would be called today or in the near future, Ms Courtney said that was a matter for the Premer.
“Clearly we have seen a range of events in recent times. The Premier has said he has an open mind in regards to this,” Ms Courtney said.
“We are continuing to be focused on delivering our plan to recover (from the pandemic).”
>> READ MORE ON THE EARLY ELECTION BELOW
On the vaccine rollout, which has now entered phase 1B, Ms Courtney said clinics in Mowbray and Brighton would open today.
A clinic at the New Norfolk RSL will open on Sunday.
The Kingston clinic, which opened three days ago, had vaccinated 1137 people as of this morning with bookings steadily flowing in.
Ms Courtney said a fifth state government clinic will be located in the northwest, with a location to be confirmed.
“This vaccine rollout will be slow and steady and it’s pleasing to see we are starting to ramp up,” she said.
“Over time it will help us get back to a more normal way of life.”
More GPs are also joining the list of vaccine providers.
Will Premier Peter Gutwein call an early election?
RUMOURS are swirling that Premier Peter Gutwein will call the next Tasmanian state election on Friday, to be held in May.
If so, he would have to visit Governor Kate Warner first.
Sources told the Mercury they understood the Premier could call the election as early as Friday, and the election itself could be held as early as May 1.
The Mercury contacted senior advisers from the Liberal and Labor parties on Thursday night and neither were prepared to comment.
The election is not due until next year, and the Premier has previously stated the government would run its full four-year term.
Hearing from a solid source the next Tasmanian election will be called tomorrow for May 1. #politas@WINNews_Tas
— Alex Johnston (@swegen31) March 25, 2021
Note this would be the same date as scheduled for the Legislative Council elections but those can be moved to any Saturday in May without legislation. #politas
— Kevin Bonham (@kevinbonham) March 25, 2021
But last week, the Premier said he had an “open mind” about the timing of the election.
“The election will be held when the state requires an election,’’ Mr Gutwein said.
The departure this week of Speaker Sue Hickey from the Liberal party after she was told she would not be preselected for the next election left the Liberals in control of 12 seats in the 25-seat House of Assembly.
This made the possibility of an early election more likely.
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