Tasmanian Liberal Government in minority as backbenchers quit

There is uncertainty over the future of Tasmania’s AFL team and stadium after two Liberal backbenchers quit the party to sit as independents. LATEST UPDATES >

Tasmania’s Liberal government is in minority after two backbenchers announced they have quit the party to sit as independents. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Tasmania’s Liberal government has been plunged into minority after two backbenchers announced they had quit the party to sit as independents.

Member for Bass Lara Alexander and Member for Lyons John Tucker announced their surprise defection on Friday morning, blaming a lack of transparency around the proposed Macquarie Point stadium and the Marinus Link electricity project as major factors in the decision.

They said they would back the government in votes of no confidence and would pass budget bills for the time being.

“We’re not planning on bringing the government down if that’s what you’re asking us …” Mr Tucker told reporters.

“We want to work with them and get some transparency to happen for the Tasmanian taxpayers.”

The announcement leaves the Liberals with 11 seats in the 25-seat House of Assembly.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruled out an early election as Labor demanded he recall parliament to test his party’s hold on power.

Lara Alexander member for Bass in Launceston. Both members of the Tasmanian parliament have now resigned as Liberal sitting members. Picture: Patrick Gee

An extraordinary day in Tasmanian politics began with an 11am press conference on Friday with Ms Alexander and Mr Tucker in Launceston.

“We’re leaving the Liberal Party because of a few issues, mainly we are worried about where we are headed with debt with the stadium and also with Marinuslink, because we want to know the full facts of what deals have been done behind closed doors,” Mr Tucker said.

“We haven’t as backbenchers been provided any of that information.

‘We want to ensure to the Tasmanian taxpayers that this stadium doesn’t become a nightmare for them going forward as we go forward in the future generations.”

Tasmanian election analyst Kevin Bonham predicts unhappy ending as two Liberal backbenchers quit

Ms Alexander said she had continuing concerns about the government’s decision to commit taxpayer funds to a $710m stadium at Macquarie Point.

“We all started united as a state and supporting a team and then somewhere along the line, you became a package with a stadium.

“I have not been able to understand where did that come from? Where’s the piece of information when that decision was made? Who participated in that decision?”

“There are questions to be answered and people deserve to have an answer. They have put their trust and their faith when they voted in 2021. So I think it’s only fair to ensure that we get that transparency.”

“We don’t want to kill football in the state. We just want for people to understand the details of how we arrived at a package. We certainly do not want to kill football.”

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John Tucker member for Lyons and Lara Alexander member for Bass in Launceston. Both members of the Tasmanian parliament have now resigned as Liberal sitting members. Picture: Patrick Gee

Parliament is not due to sit again until May 16 — Budget week.

Mr Tucker said the pair were determined to force greater transparency and their continued support would be conditional.

“If the premier doesn’t meet our terms, which are about transparency with the stadium and also with Marinus Link, and that means releasing the contracts or everything that’s been involved the deals with the federal government, then we would have to reconsider our position,” Mr Tucker said.

If an early election is called, the size of parliament will increase.

Legislation increasing the size of the Lower House to 35 seats passed recently — making it easier for independent and minority party candidates and harder for the Liberals to cling to power.

Mr Tucker noted that he had been overlooked three times for a ministerial role, but said there was little prospect of him returning to the government benches.

“We’re going independent. I don’t see a future in going back to the party. I believe that you never say never. One day in politics as a long day. What the future holds I don’t know but usually when you become an independent and Lara is also well aware of this usually there is no going back.”

Ms Alexander received 511 primary votes at the 2021 state election and entered parliament on a recount as the member for Bass in March 2022 after the departure of Sarah Courtney.

She was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for State Development Construction and Housing and Government Whip.

Mr Tucker entered parliament on a recount in March 2019 and was elected in 2021 after securing 4619 votes. He was parliament’s Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees.