Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has conceded the numbers are against him as he faces losing his job through a no-confidence motion.
Rockliff has been under increasing pressure over his handling of the state’s budget, Bass Strait ferry delays, a plan to sell assets and the controversial new AFL stadium.
On Wednesday, the Labor opposition moved a no-confidence motion in Rockliff.
It was following through on threats on Tuesday to pull the trigger if it could find the numbers. Three crossbench independents and the Greens have since said they will back the motion, giving it the numbers to pass.
If the no-confidence motion is successful, convention dictates Rockliff resign. A fresh election, little more than 12 months after Tasmanians last voted, is also a possibility.
Speaking during debate on the motion, Rockliff urged MPs to put the state’s interests first and labelled Labor leader Dean Winter reckless.
“You’ve got, as I understand it, the support of enough people to bring me down. But I will fight until my last breath,” Rockliff said.
“This day, it might not end well for me.
“But this day will define you [Winter], for the rest of your political career. You will have the stigma … of being a wrecker.”
Rockliff spruiked his government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, pursuit of an AFL team and large-scale energy projects.
Winter said Rockliff’s deal for a minority government, struck after the March 2024 poll, had collapsed.
“Three independent members of the crossbench have lost confidence in the Premier,” he said.
“[This is] due to his financial mismanagement, his appalling handling of the Spirit of Tasmania project, and his plan to privatise Tasmania’s most precious assets.”
In a social media post, Rockliff said a successful no-confidence motion would force Tasmania back to the polls and it was the “last thing” the state needed.
The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, have just 14 of 35 seats in Tasmania’s lower house.
Last week’s 2025/26 budget predicted debt would more than double to $10.8 billion in four years’ time, with deficits each year.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said Rockliff had brought the no-confidence motion on himself.
“Poll after poll has made it abundantly clear that Tasmanians do not, will not, support a new stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart,” she said.
Liberal minister Eric Abetz told parliament Labor didn’t want to govern but was interested in creating chaos, adding the stadium would be transformational.
The stadium, which backed by Labor but opposed by the Greens and some members of the crossbench, is a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028.
The government recently announced its projected cost had blown out from $755 million to $945 million.
On Wednesday, the Devils said the political uncertainty presented a “serious risk” to their future.
“The political uncertainty that is currently unfolding in the Tasmanian Parliament is of great concern to Tasmania Football Club,” a club statement said.
“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.”
-with AAP
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