Premier threatens early election, says independents not sticking to deal
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has threatened to call an early election, saying rogue independents are not honouring a deal they made with the government. Our rolling coverage >>
Tasmania
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UPDATED 1:00PM: An early election would not be a popular call, but it is solely a decision for the Premier, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff says.
Declaring her party ready for either an election or a return to parliament, Dr Woodruff said while there was constant speculation about an election, more important issues were being neglected.
“It’s really up to the premier to decide, the decision about an election is in his hands,” she told reporters.
“Tasmanians went to the polls in 2021, to vote for a government and they expect that government to go full term. That’s what the voters expect.
“And so I don’t think it would be a popular thing if the premier pulled the plug now, but that’s his choice.
‘It’s not what the Greens are focused on. Whether we go back to Parliament, or whether there’s an election now, we’re ready.
“And we’ll continue to fight for the things that Tasmania is really care about.”
UPDATED 11:50AM: Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he doesn’t want an election but he has “drawn a line in the sand” to deliver certainty and stability for Tasmanians.
Mr Rockliff addressed the media at a scheduled event at Westbury on Friday morning after issuing an ultimatum to independents John Tucker and Lara Alexander to back the government or an election would be called.
“I don’t want an election, I want certainty.” Mr Rockliff told reporters.
“I want certainty and stability for Tasmanians.”
“And of course in 2021 we were elected a majority government to deliver the policies that we took to the last election.
“Both Mr Tucker and Mrs Alexander were part of that team, the team with all the policies and all the majority government commitments in the 2021 election.
“I’m here to deliver that certainty for Tasmanians. I don’t want an election. I want certainty and stability for Tasmanians.”
Mr Rockliff said he was left with no choice but to strike a new deal with the independents.
“The people of Tasmania wants certainty and stability. That’s what we’re committed to
provide. That’s why I have drawn a line in the sand and to ensure that we do reach a new agreement to provide Tasmanians with that certainty and stability.”
Mr Rockliff said he would meet with Mr Tucker and Mrs Alexander next Friday.
“Laura and John will have their position, I’ll have mine and cool heads need to prevail.”
UPDATED 11.15AM: One of the key independents subject to an ultimatum from Premier Jeremy Rockliff says she cannot agree to his demands, which she described as “bullying tactics”.
Member for Bass Lara Alexander says Mr Rockliff’s proposal for a new deal with her and John Tucker leaves them without the ability to vote independently in parliament.
She likened the situation to an ultimatum Mr Rockliff issued to former Liberal Elise Archer to leave parliament last year or an election would be called.
“What he’s done now he’s set up exactly the same strategy with John and he’s set up Elise Archer 2.0 because he’s said applied exactly that,” Mrs Alexander told ABC Radio.
“He’s said you either fold in with me, give me full support and confidence or else I’m calling an election and it’s going to be your fault.
“It’s really unbelievable that the Premier is not wanting to govern and he’s applying bullying tactics with John and I — similar bullying tactics that he applied with Elise.”
She said she was not inclined to agree to the Premier’s demands.
“I believe in freedom of speech, it is a very hard ultimatum … and generally ultimatums cannot really be agreed, when they delivered the way they’ve been delivered as well.
“I cannot agree to the terms that especially there is one term that the premier has put forward which basically makes John and Iless than a backbench,” she said.
”At least with backbenchers, or members of the Liberal Party of the government, they can cross the floor and have a conscience vote.
“If we sign this agreement with him, we can never ever support any amendments brought forward to bills that are being put to the floor of the house by the government.”
Ms Alexander says she believes Mr Rockliff is manufacturing a trigger for an election that he can blame on her and Mr Tucker.
“I think it’s on the Premier’s head because he’s orchestrated this situation,” she said.
UPDATED 1030AM: Labor leader Rebecca White says the Premier should call an election to “end the madness”.
Speaking in Launceston on Friday morning, Ms White said if Mr Rockliff couldn’t control his rogue former backbenchers then the state should return to the polls.
“The Labor Party has said for a long time that the only way to end the madness that is the Liberal government’s instability for there to be an election,” she said.
“It’s clear that Jeremy Rockliff has lost control and his weak leadership was the reason that two members of his backbench deserted him in the first place, citing concerns about integrity and transparency.
“You can try and blame them, and say their fault if there’s an early election, but the reality is we’ve heard that excuse last year with Elise Archer. This is Jeremy Rockliff’s problem.
“He has to take responsibility and he needs to demonstrate Tasmanians that he’s either got the balls to call a date and said it today, or take it full term and stop all this chaos.”
Ms White said her party was ready to fight an election should one be called soon.
“We look forward to campaigning on our priorities for Tasmania, contrasting them with the Liberal government that’s in disarray and busy fighting itself,” she said.
“I think Tasmanians are just fed up with the chaos of this Liberal government ever since last year.
“The speculation about early elections continues to go round and round.
“The government can end the madness now and set a date.”
EARLIER: Premier Jeremy Rockliff has again threatened to call an early election, saying rogue independents cannot be allowed to “hold the government to ransom”.
Mr Rockliff has written to Liberal defectors Lara Alexander and John Tucker saying he cannot accept a “my way or the highway” approach.
The Premier has told both members that if they don’t strike a new deal to support the government by the time parliament resumes on March 5, he will consider calling an early election.
The surprise move is in response to an ultimatum from Mr Tucker, who threatened to withdraw his guarantee of support for the government in no-confidence votes if he does not get assurances over the AFL deal and animal welfare issues.
Mr Rockliff said the independents could not walk away from their earlier deal.
“The truth is, it has become clear that Mr Tucker and Mrs Alexander are no longer honouring the Memorandum of Understanding they signed in May last year that promised to provide the stability and certainty that Tasmanians need,” he said on Friday.
“As a result, the parliament is becoming unworkable.
“Despite the government upholding and delivering on our end of the agreement, namely declaring the Macquarie Point Stadium a Project of State Significance and publishing the AFL agreement in full, Mr Tucker and Mrs Alexander are not honouring the intent of the agreement.
“Instead, they have continued to shift the goalposts, and threatened to withdraw confidence and supply unless they get their own way.
“This cannot go on. I will not allow the government or Tasmanians to be held to ransom.
“While the government will always be willing to work in good faith with Mr Tucker and Mrs Alexander, it is not acceptable that every discussion is held with a ‘my way or the highway’ approach.
“The interests of Tasmanians should always come first, not those of any one individual.”
In his letter to Mr Tucker, Mr Rockliff said he wanted a new deal “to commit to not support Labor, Green or other independent bills, amendments to bills, or motions unless agreed by the Government”.
‘I will accept genuine co-operation that is in the best interests of Tasmanians, but I will not allow the Government to be held to ransom every sitting week,” he wrote.
“If we are unable to reach a new Agreement prior to the resumption of parliament on
5 March 2024, and in light of your correspondence to me, I will be forced to consider all options, including potentially advising the Governor to dissolve the House.
“John, in conclusion, I hope we are able to reach a new Agreement along the lines I have outlined. There is much to be done for Tasmanians in the year ahead, and I don’t want an early election if one can be avoided.
“I would welcome a written response from you outlining your position and priorities for this year. Our next weekly meeting is scheduled for Friday, 9 February; I propose we dedicate this time to canvassing these matters further.”
Mr Tucker’s office issued a statement confirming receipt of Mr Rockliff’s letter.
“Mr Tucker wishes to confirm that he received a response from the Premier of his letter sent on the 12th of January. Mr Tucker will take some time to consider his response,” it said.
It is the second time in recent months Mr Rockliff has foreshadowed the possibility of an early election.
In October, Mr Rockliff threatened to go to the polls if former Attorney-General Elise Archer did not resign from parliament after quitting the Liberal Party.
The next state election is not due until 2025.
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