Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff retains power as no-confidence motion defeated

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A motion of no-confidence in Tasmania’s Liberal government has failed to pass. Labor leader Dean Winter moved the motion on the opening day of state parliament, one month after an election in which neither major party won a majority.

Transcript

00:00A traditional start to an unusual day.

00:05How are you feeling about today's vote? Very good, thank you.

00:09The Premier returning to Parliament to face a second no-confidence motion in just a matter of months.

00:14But this time he knew the numbers were on his side.

00:18The political games must end today.

00:22The day started badly for Labor.

00:25The crossbench helped elect the Liberals' Jackie Petrusma Speaker

00:28while the Government supported a Greens MP for chair of committees,

00:32both times snubbing Labor's nominee.

00:35Then Labor leader Dean Winter made his move.

00:38The House, one, does not have confidence in either the Premier, the Hon. Jeremy Rockleaf, nor his Government

00:44and two, has and will continue to have confidence in the member for Franklin, the Hon. Dean Winter.

00:49Labor well aware its motion would not succeed

00:52but keen to paint the crossbench as having confidence in the Liberals.

00:56It can be spun however you like.

00:58But a vote against this motion today is a vote of confidence in this Tasmanian Liberal Government

01:03that has let you down before.

01:05Mr Winter reminding the Parliament of the many reasons it voted no confidence in Mr Rockleaf

01:10just a couple of months ago.

01:12And echoing Mr Rockleaf's very words from that day.

01:16This day, it might not end well for me.

01:20But this day will define this Premier for the rest of his political career.

01:25He will have the stigma of being a sellout, of giving in to green demands on racing, salmon and forestry.

01:32The Premier's contribution very different to the last one.

01:35Defending the policy backflips that have helped keep him in the top job.

01:39We cannot ignore the fact that in minority government we must come together and agree on policy positions

01:48that reflect the wider will of the Tasmanian community.

01:52As Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff rose to her feet to deliver her contribution,

01:56the Parliament could have been forgiven for thinking it was a no confidence motion in Mr Winter.

02:01Sadly, the Honourable Mr Winter failed to convince the Greens his would be a progressive government

02:09and that he was personally willing to change to lead one.

02:13The opposition under fire as the Liberals looked on.

02:16They haven't accepted the reality their policy platform might need rethinking

02:22in the light of the magnitude of their loss.

02:25Never have I come across an opposition party less ready for government.

02:30Others upset they were forced into this position.

02:34I feel sad and disappointed that on my first day in Tasmanian Parliament

02:39and without having any previous working relationship with government and parliamentarians,

02:45I have to decide on the future of Tasmanian government.

02:50Many on the crossbench were keen to express their vote did not mean confidence in the Liberals.

02:55But in the end, even the man who swore weeks ago he was done with the Liberals felt they were the better of the two choices.

03:02Governing a minority requires more than just collaboration.

03:06Stability requires concessions and compromise to build trust.

03:09And on that front, Labor have failed.

03:12No crossbenchers supported with the final numbers.

03:15No crossbenchers supported the motion.

03:18The result of the division is ayes 10, noes 24, the noes therefore have it.

03:26Weeks ago this looked to be Labor's day.

03:28Instead it was the Liberals who were celebrating while Labor was left to ponder yet another defeat.

03:34Weeks ago.

03:38Weeks ago.

03:39Weeks ago, Abil for diet.

03:41Weeks ago, our new administration of the Canada,

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