Tasmania is set to head to its second election in less than two years, after a no-confidence motion was passed against Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
Labor introduced the motion over its concerns about growing debt in the state following last week’s budget.
The Liberal Government doesn’t have a majority, meaning it relies on the support of at least four independent and minor party MPs, who have now supported the no-confidence motion.
Here’s what you need to know about the drama in Tasmania’s Parliament.
Tasmania
The Liberals have been in Government in Tasmania since 2014.
In May 2023, two Liberal MPs quit the party to sit as independents over concerns about a new AFL stadium (more on that later), but promised to support the Government.
When negotiations with the independents broke down, Premier Jeremy Rockliff called an early election, held in March 2024.
At the election, the Liberals won 14 of the 35 seats in the House of Assembly (lower house) — the most of any party.
Rockliff then needed to negotiate with crossbenchers (minor parties and independents) to form a government.
Three Jacqui Lambie Network MPs and two independents agreed to provide Rockliff “confidence” and “supply”, allowing him to form a minority government.
Confidence is an expression of support. In Australia’s parliaments, a government can only function with the confidence of more than half of the lower house’s members.
Supply is the formal term for spending, referring to legislation passed to fund government projects and departments.
Govt issues
Last week, the Tasmanian Government handed down its annual budget, showing net debt is predicted to climb above $10 billion by June 2029.
Earlier this year, Rockliff floated the possibility of selling off some state assets as a way of reducing debt.
However, a Government-commissioned review later advised against this.
Labor Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie questioned if the Government was factoring “asset sales” in to its budget, asking which assets are on the “chopping block”.
The Government has also promised to replace two Spirit of Tasmania ferries, which cross the Bass Strait, with two new ships built in Finland.
The ships were initially slated to arrive in 2024. However, the Devonport terminal (where the Spirit ferries dock) required reconstruction, because the new ships wouldn’t fit.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
The Government now expects the ferries to be operational from October 2026. It has been accused of avoidable delays and cost overruns.
The increasing projected cost of the proposed Hobart stadium has also become an issue for the Government.
The stadium is a requirement of a deal the Government signed with the AFL to allow Tasmania to get its own team.
It’s projected to cost $945 million.
Rockliff has repeatedly said the Government would not spend “a red cent” more than $375 million, with the rest from private investors.
The Greens have opposed the stadium, describing it as a “dodgy project” set to cost more than $1 billion.
No confidence
Earlier this week, Labor leader Dean Winter tabled a no-confidence motion against the Government due to the build-up of controversies, culminating in the budget that Winter claims “is sending Tasmania broke”.
Over two days, every lower house MP was granted the chance to speak in support or against the motion.
The motion passed with the support of Labor, the Greens, and three independents.
After the vote, Rockliff told Parliament it was a “sad day” for Tasmania.
Election
Ahead of the no-confidence vote, Rockliff had confirmed he would ask for an election to be held.
“This will be an election that Tasmanians don’t want, and Tasmania cannot afford,” Rockliff told Parliament.
“But be that on Mr Winter’s and the Labor Party’s head,” he added, describing his opponent as a “wrecker”.
Rockliff will now ask the acting Governor-General to dissolve Parliament and call an election.
It’s not clear yet what date he will choose to hold a ballot.
Labor is currently ahead in opinion polls and performed strongly at the 3 May federal election in Tasmania, winning all but one of the state’s five seats.
Former state Labor leader Rebecca White won the federal seat of Lyons in May, recording a more than 10% swing in Labor’s favour.
