Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein hangs up on coronavirus truce with Labor and Greens

The Premier says Labor broke a deal by playing politics during a crisis. Labor says he couldn’t handle the truth. Either way, the coronavirus truce is over.

Labor leader Rebecca White during question time in state parliament. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

THE political truce called during the coronavirus pandemic has been shattered, with the Premier pulling the plug on weekly phone hook-ups with opposition party leaders.

At the start of the crisis Premier Peter Gutwein promised weekly consultation with Labor Leader Rebecca White and Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor.

The line of communication was considered important, during a time when the government had been entrusted with sweeping and unprecedented emergency powers. But Ms White said Mr Gutwein stopped talking to her weeks ago.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“I think that I’m, on balance, a reasonable man,” Mr Gutwein said on Wednesday. “And right through this, all I was expecting was that people would treat me in the same way that I would treat them.”

The Mercury understands Mr Gutwein was displeased with Labor’s push to have the racing industry reopened.

“I was very disappointed that the Labor Party chose to play politics with the matters associated with our efforts in terms of this pandemic,” he said. “To politicise a pandemic, I think it’s reprehensible, and therefore I’ve stopped my weekly phone conversations with Ms White.

“She still has my phone number if there are matters that she wants to contact me on. That’s a matter for her.”

NEXT STAGE OF FREEDOM: WHAT WE CAN DO AGAIN FROM FRIDAY

Ms White said the breakdown in relations was regrettable: “It is disappointing that the Premier has now chosen to withdraw his support of that arrangement,” she said, “That was a decision that he took.

“We did have a good relationship with the Premier and I did have the opportunity to engage with him constructively throughout the crisis, but the challenge came for him when I started to advocate on behalf of industries and stakeholders and asked questions that he found challenging to answer.

“Unfortunately, it has meant there is less consultation with other parties, as he’s making decisions on behalf of the state during a state of emergency.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor backed the Premier.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“We’re still in a state of emergency and, from the Greens’ point of view, we think that tripartisanship, cooperative politics, a unified face to the people of Tasmania, is really important,” she told reporters.

“Unfortunately, Labor just couldn’t play it straight. Labor couldn’t contain their most base political instincts, even in an emergency. “I understand why the Premier had decided to call off those weekly calls, but I’ve been told by him that if I have a question or a suggestion that I should call him.

“We’re still in touch and I think that’s a good thing.”

Parliament rises for a seven week winter recess after Thursday’s sitting.