Rebel MP John Tucker threatens to withdraw confidence and supply for Tas government

Renegade Tasmanian MP John Tucker has given the Rockliff government a late Christmas present – he’s threatening confidence and supply. Find out why.

Independent MP John Tucker speaks to the media on Parliament Lawns in Hobart on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

Rogue MP John Tucker who defected from the Liberal Party last year has threatened to withdraw confidence and supply for the minority Rockliff government which he says could lead to an early election.

In a scathing attack, Mr Tucker accused Primary Industries Minister Jo Palmer of “ministerial failure” over animal cruelty and of being a “protected species” known as the “Minister for Blaming Everyone Else”.

He says the government is showing contempt for parliament on animal welfare and the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.

Liberal MP John Tucker. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“The situation is simple,” Mr Tucker said.

“Either the Premier starts respecting decisions taken by the parliament or I will withdraw my pledge of confidence and supply and we will have an election.

“This rogue behaviour needs to stop now.”

Mr Tucker accused the government of riding roughshod of decisions of the parliament.

“The footage of animal cruelty captured inside five abattoirs demonstrates conclusively that the government has been totally negligent in monitoring animal welfare.

“There is increasing evidence that the government has not been doing any animal welfare audits in abattoirs and the priority for animal welfare has been sliding down the bureaucratic slippery pole for years.

“I will not stand for this blatant contempt for the parliament – particularly from a Minister who is in witness protection upstairs.

“Either the government delivers to the letter the actions outlined in my December motion or we will be going to an election. No ifs, no buts, no qualifications, no excuses.”

Mr Tucker said also was ignoring parliament over the stadium at Macquarie Point including the $70m high performance training centre at Rosny.

“In advance of parliament’s decision on the stadium this decision to proceed with the AFL training centre is completely unacceptable. It is treating the parliament with contempt.

Mr Tucker and Bass Lara Alexander quit the Liberal Party last May citing a lack of transparency over the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.

They later signed a memorandum of understanding with the Premier, guaranteeing confidence and supply.

Mr Tucker missed weeks of parliament last year after recuperating for eight weeks after surgery for a spinal injury which he described at the time as “excruciatingly painful”.

He said then the injury came from “a lifetime of working on the farm, followed by long days and nights at the wheel since I have been in parliament”.

Minister Felix Ellis. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Government Minister Felix Ellis did not respond specifically to Mr Tucker’s threat but said the government would work with all MPs on animal welfare issues.

“There is no place for animal cruelty in our abattoirs here in Tasmania and our government stands ready to work with the industry and parliament to make sure we deliver the best possible solution for safe and humane red meat processing in this state,” Mr Ellis said.

“There are so many jobs that rely on it.”