David O’Byrne will provide a pair because John Tucker will miss parliament due to injury

With Liberal-turned-independent John Tucker set to miss Parliament, David O’Byrne will step in to ensure a level playing field. Latest.

Independent member for Bass Lara Alexander with Independent member for Lyons John Tucker. Question time in the Tasmanian parliament in September. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Independent MP David O’Byrne has agreed to provide a voting pair in parliament for Liberal-turned-independent John Tucker who has a spinal injury and could be absent for up to eight weeks.

A spokeswoman for Mr Tucker told the Sunday Tasmanian he had been in hospital for the past four days with a bulging disc after earlier being treated for renal colic.

“He will be out of action for at least six to eight weeks,” she said.

Mr O’Byrne said he had agreed to a request from Mr Tucker to provide a pair “on matters of supply and confidence”.

“I want to be absolutely clear that I do not have confidence in this Liberal Government, but I will not support delaying the implementation and funding for the government’s response to the Commission of Inquiry and other important matters by allowing John’s absence to be used as a trigger for an early election,” he said.

David O'Byrne member for Franklin. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I will have a conversation with him on other votes before the house as and when they arise.”

Mr O’Byrne said the granting of pairs had historically been a matter resolved between the major parties to ensure the numbers in the house on votes fairly represented the outcome and intent of the previous election.

“There are no firm conventions or precedents for pairing arrangements of independent members such as John or I.

“The Tasmanian parliament finds itself in uncharted territory with proportionally the largest cross bench in its recent history.

“Given the unique circumstances I find myself in on the crossbench, and my genuine desire to support the whole of government response to important issues such as the Commission of Inquiry, I am willing to provide the member for Lyons a pair on matters of confidence and supply.

“The parliament must progress the appropriation bill next week to ensure the State Government can continue the work to implement every single recommendation made by the Commission of Inquiry, as soon as possible.”

Parliament resumes on Tuesday for the first time since Attorney-General Elise Archer resigned throwing the government into disarray with talk of any early election.

Labor plans to move a no confidence motion in the government but has agreed to provide a pair for Ms Archer.

Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly Dean Winter predicted an early election because of the “chaos”.

“(Premier) Jeremy Rockliff can’t control the parliament, his own party or his government,” he said.

“Tasmanians thought they were getting strong, stable, majority government. Ever since Mr Rockliff took over, it’s been a mess.”

The government declined to comment.

Independent MP to miss crucial sitting of Parliament

October 14, 10am

Liberal-turned-independent John Tucker will miss next week’s sitting of parliament – causing another headache for the Rockliff minority government.

Sources close to Mr Tucker, the member for Lyons, have confirmed to the Mercury he will miss the crucial sitting starting on Tuesday due to a serious back injury.

It is understood he is receiving treatment in hospital.

Budget Estimates, Independent John Tucker. Picture: Chris Kidd

“He won’t be in parliament next week and at the moment he can’t talk to anyone,” one source said.

It is believed a pair for the sitting week is trying to be arranged with Member for Franklin David O’Byrne.

Parliament resumes on Tuesday for the first time since Attorney-General Elise Archer resigned throwing the government into disarray with talk of an early election.

Labor is considering to move a no-confidence motion in the government but has agreed to provide a pair for Ms Archer.

Mr Tucker and former Liberal-turned-independent Lara Alexander – who both quit the party in May - have pledged to support the Liberals on matters of confidence.

The government next week also wants to move to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse in government institutions.