Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson backs Premier’s ultimatum to rogue independents

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson says he hopes talks with rebel independents will head off an early election. The latest >>

Labor's Josh Willie speaks to the media at Parliament Square in Hobart on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson says he hopes talks with rebel independents will head off an early election.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff issued an ultimatum to Liberal defectors Lara Alexander and John Tucker on Friday.

He said the pair must sign a new deal to cement their support for the government before parliament returns next month — or he would consider calling an early election.

Speaking to reporters in Devonport on Saturday, Mr Ferguson said it was time for level-headed negotiation.

“We need to see stability and certainty in our parliament, that’s what Tasmanians voted for, it’s what they deserve and it’s what we’re looking for as a Liberal government as well.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson. Tasmanian parliament re-called. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I welcome the fact that there’ll be discussions.

“Ultimately what we want to see is an avoidance of an election and instead an agreement which would allow us to get on and deliver our plan just like the Tasmanian people voted for.

“I believe that the premier has been quite clear that he will now enter into an agreement-making phase with the two independents. We hope it’s fruitful and successful.”

Mr Ferguson denied having aspirations to take over from Mr Rockliff as leader.

“I’m not bringing that to the table. I’m a loyal deputy and the premier deserves what the Tasmanian people voted for a Liberal government delivering on its plan with the united team,” he said.

Labor’s Josh Willie said Mr Rockliff could call an election any time he wanted.

“This is a government that is lurching from political crisis to political crisis and there’s one common denominator: that is the premier Jeremy Rockliff,” he said.

“He has been unable to negotiate across the parliament like he said he would.

“It’s bad for business confidence and it’s bad for Tasmanians to have this constant speculation of an early election because of his leadership or lack of leadership.

“It’s time to end this. He could call an election today or he could set a date.

“Yesterday, he tried to act like the tough guy.

“We had one of the defectors say that she would not sign up to that deal and then he walked away from that in the afternoon saying that he didn’t want an election.

“He is all over the shop.

“We had an early election under Peter Gutwein and Tasmanians voted for a majority government and they sold their message at the time as being about stability. We’ve had anything but.

“If we don’t make it full term, it’s because of Jeremy Rockliff’s leadership.”

The latest snapshot of community sentiment by 3P Advisory reveals many Tasmanian are still undecided about who they will vote for — with 19 per cent of those surveyed over the last three months yet to make up their minds.

Health care, cost of living, access to a GP and the cost of housing and rent were the issues most commonly nominated as being extremely important.

The survey found 53 per cent opposition to the proposed Macquarie Point AFL stadium, it was well down the list of issues most engaging voters.

Also on Saturday, the Jacqui Lambie Network announced their candidates for Bass in the next state election. They are Angela Armstrong, Ludwig Johnson and Rebekah Pentland.

Party leader Jacqui Lambie said she wanted to offer Tasmanians the choice of a fourth political party, “which actually cares about representing the people of Tasmania, not just big business and union interests”.