Tasmania state parliament: Liberals weather crisis after government loses critical vote

The Liberals have weathered another crisis of minority government after losing a critical vote on the floor of the House of Assembly. LATEST >>

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June 1, 2023 - 6:47PM

Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff at the opening of a new ambulance station at Bridgewater.Picture: Linda Higginson.

Another week in State Parliament has kicked off, following the handing down of the budget last Thursday.

Follow the latest updates in our live blog below.

Updates

Libs survive angry rebellion

David Killick

The Liberals have weathered another crisis of minority government after losing a critical vote on the floor of the House of Assembly.
Opposition, Green and independent MPs angrily rebelled late on Thursday over what they characterised as the government’s failure to disclose all relevant documents about the proposed Macquarie Point stadium project by a deadline imposed by the parliament.
Labor claimed the government was withholding Treasury advice.
A motion to stall debate on the government’s budget bills has passed 12-10, prompting an unscheduled 45-minute adjournment.
The government tabled a trove of relevant documents in state parliament over the course of Thursday.

Tasmanian Parliament, Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Chris Kidd

But late in the day, Labor’s Treasury spokesman Shane Broad said Treasury documents whose existence — but not content — were revealed by a recent Right to Information request were missing.
“We haven’t seen any advice, we haven’t seen any departmental documents tabled,” he said.
“What advice has Treasury or State Growth provided about whether it’s a good financial risk, a good financial decision?”
After the adjournment, Premier Jeremy Rockliff diffused the crisis by pledging the government had provided everything it had.
“To the best of my knowledge, I have tabled all of the documents that have been provided to me,” he said.
“The RTI referred to by the opposition referenced an email between department personnel,” he said.
“Emails between department staff are frequent and commonplace and do not constitute advice to government.”
Labor, the Greens and independent Kristie Johnston expressed dissatisfaction with Mr Rockliff’s explanation and promised further action but did not further delay the budget bill.
“We aren’t blocking supply,” Labor leader Rebecca White said. “We’ve taken this extraordinary step to compel the government to do what this parliament ordered it to do by today.
“They have had all day to provide the advice to the parliament that the parliament ordered them to do last week.
“We’ve been very patient and given them every opportunity to come good on that. And they have failed."

The government has weathered a crisis of minority after a personal explanation from Premier Jeremy Rockliff over cover-up claims over stadium documents. ALP, Grn, indy MPs sound unconvinced and have promised further action, but the budget bills will not be delayed. #politas
— David Killick (@DavidJKillick) June 1, 2023

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the standoff between the parliament and executive was extremely serious.
“This is no light matter, it’s a Westminster parliament, and parliament is sovereign,” she said.
“When there’s a tussle between parliament and the executive, it might take time, but the parliament will always win.”
The two MPs who defected from the Liberals over what they described as a lack of transparency told reporters they wanted to see all advice provided to the government.
Member for Bass Lara Alexander said she was keen to ensure the government had lived up to the intent of the motion.
“We’ll go through them and make sure that they have actually tabled everything that we expect it to be tabled according to the motion that was passed last week because we know also that motion included documents as well as advice and assessments,” she said.
Member for Lyons John Tucker said the departmental documents were crucial to addressing their concerns.
“I want to see the Treasury advice to see where their position is on this project.
“That’s always been our biggest concern is as we’ve mentioned before the debt load that the state is taking off with doing something like this.”
Treasurer Michael Ferguson described Labor’s attempt to adjourn debate on a budget bill to address the issue as “a low tactic”.
“You’re holding up the budget process, which is something the Labor leader said you would not do.”

Premier denies cover-up

David Killick

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has addressed the Parliament on his government's alleged failure to produce documents about the stadium plan.

He says the government has provided everything it has.

"To the best of my knoweldge, I have tabled all of the documents that have been provided to me," he said.

Mr Rockliff said he was not able to supply parliament with information that was cabinet-in-confidence.

"The RTI referred to by the opposition referenced an email between department personnel," he said.

"Emails between department staff are frequent and commonplace and do not constitute advice to government."

Budget on hold as government loses critical vote

David Killick

The state government has lost a critical vote on the floor of the House of Assembly.

Opposition and independent MPs are angry about the Liberals' failure to table documents by a deadline imposed by the parliament.

They say the government is withholding Treasury advice on the stadium.

A Labor motion to adjourn debate on the government's budget bills has passed 12-10.

Parliament has adjourned for 45 minutes.

Tasmanian Budget bills run into serious trouble as Labor accuses the government of defying order to produce stadium documents. Labor denies it is attempting to block supply. #politas
— David Killick (@DavidJKillick) June 1, 2023

Opposition leader Rebecca White says Labor is not attempting to block supply.

"We aren't blocking supply. We've taken this extraordinary step to compel the government to do what this parliament ordered it to do by today.

'They have had all day to provide the advice to the parliament that the parliament ordered them to do last week.

"We've been very patient and given them every opportunity to come good on that. And they have failed. "

Proceedings have been adjourned for 45 minutes in a bid to solve the impasse.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said it was a serious impasse.

"This is no light matter, it's a Westminster parliament, and parliament is sovereign.

"When there's a tussle between Parliament and the executive, it might take time, but the parliament will always win."

Cover-up claims stall progress of budget bills

David Killick

Labor has accused the government of keeping parliament in the dark by withholding critical Treasury advice about the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.

The government tabled a trove of stadium-related documents in state parliament over the course of Thursday.

But during debate on the budget bills late in the day Labor’s, Treasury spokesman Shane Broad said Treasury documents whose existence — but not content — were revealed by a recent Right to Information request were missing.

“We haven’t seen any advice, we haven’t seen any departmental documents tabled,” he said.

“What advice has Treasury or State Growth provided about whether it’s a good financial risk, a good financial decision?

“That advice hasn’t been tabled. Where is this advice? We know you have some.
“What’s the Premier up to if he’s not going to adhere to a motion in parliament to provide that advice.”

The two MPs who defected from the Liberals over what they described as a lack of tranparency earlier highlighted their keen desire to see the Treasury's advice.
Lara Alexander said she was keen to ensure the government had lived up to the intent of the motion.

“We’ll go through them and make sure that they have actually tabled everything that we expect it to be tabled according to the motion that was passed last week because we know also that motion included documents as well as advice and assessments,” she said.

John Tucker said the departmental documents were crucial to addressing their concerns.

“I want to see the Treasury advice to see where their position is on this project.
“That’s always been our biggest concern is as we’ve mentioned before the debt load that the state is taking off with doing something like this.”

As debate stalled the passage of budget bills, Treasurer Michael Ferguson rejected Labor’s attempt to adjourn debate on a budget bill to address the issue as “a low tactic”.

“I will therefore not respond to Dr Broad’s questions.”

“You’re holding up the budget process, which is something the Labor leader said you would not do.”

MS battler facing homelessness struggle

David Killick

An MS sufferer who has spent three years on an urgent public housing waiting list says she says the stress of impending homelessness is causing anxiety attacks and could leave her unable to walk.

Krista Lindsay, her husband and three children have been struggling to pay $380 a week for a private rental while they wait for a suitable property — somewhere with no steps and a standalone shower.

Their lease ends in seven weeks.

“We will be homeless soon. There are no other options for us,” she said on Thursday.

“My husband and pets will be in a car and myself and children will be trying to beg and plead with family and friends for a bed to sleep in.

“Adam is my carer… I need his assistance. Without him, I am ultimately doomed.”
She said she could not understand how nobody seemed able to help.

“Our option was thinking that we had a system that would help us in our time of need and that that isn’t even an option,” she told reporters.

“We’re at 152 weeks [on the public housing waiting list], in our house that we can’t afford.

“I have to save money to go to the doctors and have gone without medication for weeks to do that.

“I’ve had multiple anxiety attacks in the past weeks that I don’t normally have.

“I’m absolutely petrified that this stress, this anxiety, this worry and scare for my family is going to put me back into a relapse, that a relapse will mean that maybe I won’t be able to walk anymore.

“We’ve spent the last two weeks ringing nonstop.

“We’ve been patient, we’ve been very patient thinking that we’d be taken care of that being on that waiting list ringing up every day or every week wasn’t going to push an outcome for us.”

Labor's Rebecca White speaks to the media on Thursday. Photo: David Killick

Ms Lindsay was in parliament to hear Labor leader Rebecca White raise her case with Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

“Their situation is one we hear from Tasmanians all across the state and reflects the failure of your government across every part of the housing system,” she said.

“Not only are Tasmanian rents the least affordable in the country — up $280 per week after a decade of Liberal government — but the wait times for social housing are now so long there is effectively no longer a safety net at the bottom of the market either.

“Will you commit to finding a home for Krista and her family before their lease ends on 21 July?”

Mr Rockliff thanked Ms Lindsay for bringing her case to his attention.

“My objective is to ensure that every Tasmanian has that fundamental right to be safe and have a roof over their heads,” he said.

“For every person who comes through our office door, or calls, or emails – whatever the communication is — we are here to help. That is our fundamental job.

“If matters are brought to my attention, either through my office not as Premier but as a member for Braddon, I will do all I can to support each and every individual who requires assistance.”

Premier cancels Covid bonus debt letters

David Killick

No Ambulance Tasmania staff will be forced to pay back a Covid bonus they were paid by mistake, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.

State Parliament heard on Thursday that 554 Ambulance Tasmania staff had been paid a total of $419,272.

Letters of demand were sent to those affected on Wednesday night, but Mr Rockliff annouced a change of heart after Question Time.

“No health workers will have to pay back their Frontline Covid bonus,” he said in a post on Facebook.

“I know some were paid it who weren’t eligible and have been asked to pay it back. And I’m saying now, it’s not happening. It’s our mistake and we’ll own it.

“I’ve instructed the Department to cease any action to recover the payments.”

Questions over stadium fit

David Killick

Labor has asked the government if it has been told the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium won't fit the site.

During Question Time on Thursday, Labor's Dean Winter asked Premier Jeremy Rockliff if he had been told the stadium was too big.

"Can you confirm you have received advice from the Macquarie Point Development Corporation explaining that your stadium cannot fit the Macquarie Point unless you either utilise part of the port, or move part of the areas surrounding the Cenotaph or potentially both," Mr Winter asked.

Mr Winter did not reveal the source of his claim.

In a lengthy response, Mr Rockliff eventually said the stadium would fit into the site.

"Of course it's going to fit. Absolutely it's going to fit," he said.

"We're been working with the Macquarie Point Development Corporation. The stadium will fit at the Macquarie Point site."

"Fill your boots": Premier defiant on forestry

David Killick

Those wanting to take out full-page ads trying to shut down native forestry can "fill your boots", Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.

The Premier has delivered a defiant statement on forestry after ads signed by dozens of prominent Australians appeared in local newspapers.

The Australia Institute campaign calls for Tasmania to follow Western Australia and Victoria in ending the logging of native forests.

But Mr Rockliff was unmoved.

"If people want to put 25 one-page ads in the paper well, you know, fill your boots, but frankly we'll be standing up to Tasmania and those working in our timber industry," he said.

"I've read the list. There are a lot of privileged people on that list who don't have to think about where the next dollar comes from.

"What I'll be doing is standing up for forest workers and their families in the state of Tasmania."

Ambulance staff face clawback of $1000 Covid bonus

David Killick

Hundreds of staff at Ambulance Tasmania have been ordered to repay a $1000 Covid bonus after it was discovered they weren't eligible, Parliament has heard.

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff said a letter had been sent on Wednesday demanding the money back.

"This is a body blow for people who turned up day and night during the COVID battling a broken health system to try and get Tasmanians an ambulance in time to save their life," she said.

"Times couldn't be tougher and you've ripped a pathetic $1,000 from essential workers."

Health and Community Sector Union spokesman Robbie Moore said in a statement that the Department of Health sent letters of demand of Ambulance Tasmania workers at 7pm last night.

“This is an act of utmost cruelty and demonstrates nothing but contempt for health workers who kept our Ambulance service running throughout the pandemic,” he said.

“It shows just how much words like ‘heroes of the pandemic’ really mean to the people in charge of our state.”

“The government recognised that paramedics deserved the allowance last year, but now they want to fine those same paramedics $1000 if they’ve been injured at work trying to save others’ lives.

"Adding insult to injury’ does not even begin to cover it. It’s despicable.”

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff told parliament "system errors" were responsble for the mistake.

"I'm advised that those who received the allowance incorrectly amounted to 554 employees at a cost of $419,272," he said.

Mr Rockliff said workers had the option of paying the cash back in installments ovr 12 months or as a lump sum.

"I am sorry this has happened … I understand how frustrated and angry people must feel. It's a system error, I take full responsibility."

No plan to end native forest logging: Minister

David Killick

The Tasmanian government has no plans to follow Victoria's lead and end native forest logging.

Minister for Resources Felix Ellis told Parliament on Wednesday that the government would be ramping up native forest logging in Tasmania – not shutting it down.

His comments in response to a question from Independent MP John Tucker came after Victoria and Western Australia annouced that the logging of their native forests would cease.

Mr Ellis said Victoria’s decision in particular would boost the Tasmanian industry.

“The earlier than expected shutdown of native forestry in Victoria is also a huge opportunity for Tasmania," Mr Ellis said.

“It means, sadly, for those workers in Victoria, they have been displaced, but there are massive opportunities here in Tasmania.

“In Tasmania, our millers have more jobs than people available to them, and we are looking forward to bringing those people down here to bolster our capability and supply.

“We are committed to ensuring Tasmanian timbers support Tasmanian jobs, and we will continue our work with the local industry to ensure supply and to ensure certainty.

“We can guarantee … that we will not be doing is shutting down the native forest industry like Labor have done in Victoria and Western Australia.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor was unimpressed.

“Surely the Liberal and Labor parties down here will start getting the message. First WA, then Victoria, and other states looking set to follow with bans on the logging of forest habitats and carbon banks," she said.

“Industrial native forest logging in Tasmania is ideological more than anything else.

“It would not survive without massive public subsidies. The logging industry has always been on the public teat.

“The old parties think it works for them politically to cheer on forest destruction, but most Tasmanians want them to get out of our beautiful forests and focus on the plantation estate that’s available for industry right now.”