Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing a no-confidence motion after increasing heat over his party’s financial management and plans for a new AFL stadium in Hobart.
The state Liberal premier’s grip on power appears to be sliding, with Labor ready to pull the trigger on a no-confidence motion on Wednesday morning if it has the parliamentary numbers.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff with then opposition leader Peter Dutton last month.Credit: James Brickwood
The Tasmania Football Club, known as the Devils, has expressed “great concern” over the political uncertainty enveloping the Tasmanian government.
“The political uncertainty that is currently unfolding in the Tasmanian Parliament is of great concern to Tasmania Football Club,” the club said in a statement.
“Like the rest of the community, we are unsure what will happen today and what the impacts of any actions taken might be. What we do know is that uncertainty presents a serious risk for jobs, investment and growth, and for the future of Tasmania Football Club.
“Tasmania Football Club remains steadfast on building a club for all Tasmanians. We are also steadfast on staying out of politics. We ask that our political leaders understand the implications of their actions and decisions on the future of our state for all Tasmanians, a future which we know Tasmania Football Club can play a significant part.”
Last week’s Tasmanian state budget predicted debt would more than double to $10.8 billion in four years’ time with deficits each year.
The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, are governing with a minority of just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house.
Labor Opposition Leader Dean Winter on Tuesday tabled a no-confidence motion and said he would move it for debate.
The motion would require the support of the Greens and three of six crossbenchers to pass.
If a no-confidence motion against Rockliff was successful, convention dictates he must resign.
The move represents a shift from Labor, which has previously voted with the Liberals to nip no-confidence motions in the bud.
Winter was critical of the premier “wrecking” the budget, his plan to sell state assets and delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of new Bass Strait ferries.
“My message is to the crossbench,” he said. “If they really are opposed to this premier’s agenda of debt, deficit and debacle – as they claim – then tell the house you have lost confidence in this premier.”
The estimated cost for a new stadium, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL, recently increased from $755 million to $945 million.
The government has previously pledged to cap its contribution to the stadium at $375 million. A new stadium is a condition of the Devils being admitted to the AFL in 2028.
Labor supports the project “unconditionally” but the Greens and several crossbench MPs are opposed.
Rockliff said Labor’s motion had been tabled in a nasty and bullying way.
The motion, to be debated after 10am, makes no specific mention of the stadium, but asks the house to agree that “Rockliff’s budget mismanagement is doing significant long-term damage to Tasmania”, and the house has “no faith in the Premier’s ability to deliver major projects following the Spirit of Tasmania fiasco”.
The delivery of two new ferries connecting Tasmanian drivers to the mainland via Geelong has been beset by delays and cost blowouts. Last week, further technical issues were identified on both ships, and the vessels are now not expected to be in service until late next year.
Rockliff’s Liberals were re-elected in March 2024 but suffered a swing of 12 per cent against them.
