Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing no-confidence threat that could end his time as leader

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing the threat of a no-confidence motion in his Liberal government in the financially strapped state.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s shaky hold on government is in danger of collapsing, after the opposition flagged a no-confidence motion.

In his budget reply speech on Tuesday, Labor Opposition Leader Dean Winter said he would put forward the no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff, challenging the crossbench to support it.

Key independent Craig Garland said he would support the motion, telling The Australian the Liberal government’s state budget last week that doubled state debt, the controversial AFL stadium project and the TT-Line ferries fiasco were keys to his decision.

“I’ll be supporting a no-confidence motion in the Premier. I’m just sick to death of the arrogance and ignorance,” he said.

Independent Kristie Johnston and Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner have also signalled support.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing the threat of a no confidence motion. Picture: NewsWire / David Beach

Labor leader Dean Winter outline the no-confidence threat in his budget reply speech on Tuesday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Winter said he would move the motion as soon as he had sufficient crossbench support to pass it.

“I have tabled a notice of ­motion that says this House has no confidence in the Premier ­because he has wrecked the budget, because he is planning to sell our power companies, our ports and our public transport,” Mr Winter said.

The state Greens are expected to decide Mr Rockliff’s fate, expected after a party meeting as early as Wednesday.

Mr Rockliff earlier in parliament defended his government’s record and rebuked Mr Winter for being negative in his reply speech, the Mercury reported.

“Well, that was a negative outlook for Tasmania,” he said.

“I mean, if you’re a Tasmanian listening to that speech, of course, full of inconsistencies, hypocritical, laced with hypocrisy, but most importantly for Tasmania and Tasmanians talking this wonderful state down, a state that everyone has worked so hard over the course of the last 11 years to take it from economic laggard to leading the nation.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockcliff. Picture: Instagram

Mr Rockliff called a snap early election last year to try to shore up a majority for the Liberals, but fell short.

The Liberal Party has been in minority government since May 2023 when two MPs – John Tucker and Lara Alexander – quit the party to sit on the cross benches.

The AFL stadium, which is being jointly funded by the Albanese government, has been a hot topic in Tasmania.

The Greens, who could decide Mr Rockliff’s fate, are against the stadium which is a requirement of Tasmania entering the AFL.

Originally published as Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing no-confidence threat that could end his time as leader