Premier extends stability offer to likely crossbench MPs

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has presented those likely to form the crossbench in Tasmania’s next parliament with a “draft stability agreement” intended to shore up the Liberal’s grip on the leadership reins.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff speaks to the media on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has presented those likely to form the crossbench in Tasmania’s next parliament with a “draft stability agreement” intended to shore up the Liberals’ grip on power for another term in minority government.

Mr Rockliff said he didn’t believe a formal agreement with independent and minor party MPs was necessary for his party to form government and test their numbers on the floor of the House of Assembly when parliament resumes.

But he said he was keen to consult on a potential “protocol” with the crossbench so the Liberals could continue to govern.

He said he hoped a deal could be reached over the next week.

A copy of the one-page document, also described as “a draft framework” and “The Foundations of Stability” was posted online.

It includes a Stability Agreement, a Multi-Partisan Budget Matters Panel, Ministerial Consultation Protocols, and a Crossbench Liaison Office.

It doesn’t include any guarantees MPs will vote in support the government on matters of confidence and supply.

“I have reached out over the last few days with a number of the key independents and those respective independents in Parliament and have had conversations with Kristie Johnston, Craig Garland, Carlo di Falco, as well Peter George and David O’Byrne,” Mr Rockliff said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has had discussions with likely key crossbench MPs Craig Garland, Peter George and Kristie Johnston among others.

“All have been high-level but constructive and today, I reached out once again to all our independents to ensure that we can move forward.

“Today we, for discussion with independents, presented a stability agreement where we can move forward and establish some co-led, if you like, or co-developed protocols on how parliament will work and should work when it comes to everyone working together.”

Mr Rockliff said nobody elected at Saturday’s poll could expected get “100 per cent of what they want 100 per cent of the time”.

He said he had not spoken to the Greens, saying he “didn’t have a mandate” to do so.

“Tasmanians expect their parliament to work together,” he said of his agreement.

“I will always respect the will of the people and this is a very good example of engagement and how we can work together.

“And I look forward to meeting with key independents over the course of the next number of days to ensure that I can get their feedback on how what I have presented as a draft can be further improved upon as well.”

A Labor spokesman said the party was working through a similar document, but would not

release it publicly before consulting with the crossbench and receiving their feedback.

Mr Rockliff said he was confident he could make minority parliament work, despite the last two terms of Liberal government being truncated by early elections.

“Continuous improvement, of course, is the word of the day,” he said.

“Can we do better? Of course, we can we always learn … every single day in this job, I learn something new.

“The stability agreement we’re putting forward today is an example of how we can continue to build on what was already a very good foundation for a minority parliament to work.”