Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson quits Cabinet over ferries fiasco

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson has sensationally quit Cabinet over Spirit of Tasmania ferries fiasco. See the video >>

Update: Embattled Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson has resigned from his ministries in the face of an almost certain successful no-confidence vote in him in parliament on Tuesday.

“It’s the brutal mathematics of politics that would very clearly indicate that we don’t have enough votes on the floor of the parliament to sustain a no-confidence motion in those circumstances with nobody asking me to I’ve offered my resignation to the Premier and to the Governor from the Cabinet,” Mr Ferguson said, flanked by Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his wife Julie and son James.

“I think that we can all count, and we need to be able to sustain a vote on the floor of the parliament.”

Michael Ferguson with his wife Julie, their son James and Premier Jeremy Rockliff announces he is stepping down as Deputy Premier and Treasurer. Picture: Craig Herbert

The 11th-hour decision comes as Mr Ferguson’s fate became clear on Sunday.

Key independent David O’Byrne said he had lost confidence in the Treasurer over his handling of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries fiasco, meaning the government lost the ability to defeat a no-confidence motion on the floor of parliament.

Mr Ferguson said while disappointed he was not angry and he was resigning because it was “the honourable thing to do” and to avoid time wasted in parliament on the no-confidence vote.

“I recognise that there have been some really significant failures and problems … with the delivery of the infrastructure to support the new ships in Devonport and I own that and I take responsibility for it.

“I want to offer to do the right thing, the honourable thing, I hope, to save the parliament a waste of time and delays to the budget which would occur if this vote were to go ahead.”

Earlier: Lambie-turned-independent MPs Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland have said they’ll support deputy Premier Michael Ferguson, if a no-confidence motion is moved in parliament, but the longstanding MP’s fate could already be sealed.

Labor is expected to move the motion when parliament returns tomorrow, and ahead of that a number of MPs have already made known where their vote will fall.

Mr Ferguson resigned as Infrastructure Minister in August, after it was revealed there would be delays in upgrades to port infrastructure in Devonport, needed to accommodate the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels.

Last week, former TT-Line chairman Michael Grainger told a committee the ferry operator had not been supported by the government and actively hampered by TasPorts: allegations the Deputy Premier has denied.

Since then, Labor has threatened the possibility of a no-confidence motion.

In a joint statement on Monday, Ms Beswick and Ms Pentland said their votes would be in support of Mr Ferguson.

Newly independent MPs Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

“On balance, we don’t believe booting Michael Ferguson out of Cabinet is in the best interests of the state,” they said.

“We argue Michael Ferguson should roll up his sleeves and make up for the mess he was part of, not be exiled to the backbench.

“He lost the Infrastructure portfolio, and he’s obviously paid a high political price for his failures.”

It means the only undecided MP is independent Craig Garland, but regardless of how he votes, Mr Ferguson’s fate could already be locked in, after Independents David O’Byrne and Kristie Johnston said they’d support a motion.

In the event of a tie, Speaker and Labor member Michelle O’Byrne is expected to use her casting vote to back the motion.

Here’s how the chips may fall:

Expected to vote against Mr Ferguson

• Dean Winter (Labor)

• Rebecca White (Labor)

• Josh Willie (Labor)

• Ella Haddad (Labor)

• Anita Dow (Labor)

• Shane Broad (Labor)

• Janie Finlay (Labor)

• Jen Butler (Labor)

• Meg Brown (Labor)

• Rosalie Woodruff (Greens)

• Vica Bayley (Greens)

• Cecily Rosol (Greens)

• Tabatha Badger (Greens)

• Helen Burnet (Greens)

• Kristie Johnston (IND)

• David O’Byrne (IND)

• Andrew Jenner (JLN)

Expected to support Mr Ferguson:

• Premier Jeremy Rockliff (LIB)

• Michael Ferguson (LIB)

• Guy Barnett (LIB)

• Madeleine Ogilvie (LIB)

• Jane Howlett (LIB)

• Roger Jaensch (LIB)

• Nic Street (LIB)

• Felix Ellis (LIB)

• Eric Abetz (LIB)

• Mark Shelton (LIB)

• Simon Behrakis (LIB)

• Rob Fairs (LIB)

• Jacquie Petrusma (LIB)

• Simon Wood (LIB)

• Miriam Beswick (IND)

• Rebecca Pentland (IND)

Vote not yet clear

• Craig Garland (IND)

*In the event of a tie

• Speaker and Labor member Michelle O’Byrne expected to use her casting vote to back the motion.

Premier backs deputy as no-confidence motion looms

Earlier: Hot from his return from the US, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has thrown his full support behind beleaguered Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson ahead of an expected no-confidence motion when parliament resumes on Tuesday.

Minister Michael Ferguson. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Rockliff said Mr Ferguson had “accepted responsibility” for the Spirits bungle, and described the no-confidence motion as a “disappointment”.

“When it comes to the situation with the Spirit of Tasmania, I am hugely disappointed,” he said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff stands by Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson at a press conference in Launceston despite a looming no confidence motion. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

“I’ve accepted responsibility. I’ve apologised, as has Minister Ferguson. Minister Ferguson has paid the ultimate price when it comes to his responsibility by resigning the infrastructure portfolio.”

A number of MPs, including former Labor leader turned independent David O’Byrne, indicated they are likely to support the motion if it is raised.

Mr Rockliff said if a no-confidence motion did pass, Mr Ferguson would resign as a minister and head to the backbench.

“If the Labor Party move a no-confidence motion, then we will deal with that on the floor of the house,” he said.

“We will always accept the will of the parliament, and should there be a no confidence moved and passed, Minister Ferguson will be resigning as minister and going to the back bench.”