Greens move motion of no confidence in Liberal minority government over stadium

The Greens have moved a motion of no-confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff over his handling of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium. Here’s how it went >>

Greens deputy leader Vica Bayley and Greens leader Doctor Rosalie Woodruff. Tasmanian House of Assembly question time. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has survived a no-confidence motion over his handling of the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff moved the motion during Tuesday’s sitting of state parliament accusing Mr Rockliff of repeatedly misleading the Tasmanian public when he pledged the taxpayer contribution would be capped at $375m.

It follow’s Monday’s decision by the government to press ahead with the stadium without private investment in the construction phase.

Greens leader Doctor Rosalie Woodruff. Tasmanian House of Assembly question time. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Instead the Macquarie Point Development Corporation will borrow the shortfall between currently committed state and federal funding and the total cost.

A bid for leave to debate the motion was defeated just before lunch. There were seven voted in favour: the Greens MPs and independents Craig Garland and Kristie Johnston.

During debate, Dr Woodruff described the government’s efforts to progress the stadium as “a corrupted process” and the Premier has repeatedly lied to the Tasmanian people.

She said the Premier’s repeated pledge the Tasmanian taxpayers would pay $375m towards the stadium and “not a red cent more” had been shown to be false and Tasmanians would bear the entire cost.

“Without this promise Jeremy Rockliff’s chances of being re-elected as Premier would have been significantly reduced, and that he may not have been able to form government.

“This promise is therefore fundamental to Jeremy Rockliff’s position as Premier.

“The Premier has continued to repeat this promise without basis on dozens of occasions.

“The Premier has spent over a year misleading Tasmanians and the parliament about the stadium cost cap, having repeated this claim without any evidence that it could or would be achieved.”

Minister Eric Abetz. Tasmanian House of Assembly question time. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Leader of government business Eric Abetz rejected the motion, saying the strident case the Greens were making was at odds with its lack of merit.

He described the motion as “a stunt”.

Labor’s Shane Broad said his party would not be backing the motion because they did not want to see the government fall.

“If successful this motion brings down the government,” he said.

“The Greens today are playing with fire. We’ve just had a federal election, I don’t believe Tasmanians are ready for another state election.”

Independent David O’Byrne said he too would not support debate on the motion.

Bass Independent Rebekah Pentland on Tuesday implored the government “to be honest with Tasmanians”.

“The people I talk to in the northern half of the state are sick to death of the twists and turns,” she said.

“The more the goalposts move, the more sceptical they become over whether this project is in the state’s best interests.

“We’ve even learnt today that the Federal Liberals considered coming out against the stadium! “How can the Premier expect northern Tasmanians to support his stadium if even his own colleagues have serious doubts.”