'Don't be a wrecker': leader admits he could be toppled
A minority Liberal state premier at risk of being turfed from the role by a parliamentary no-confidence motion has conceded the numbers are against him.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been under increasing pressure over his handling of the state's budget, Bass Strait ferry delays, a plan to sell assets and a new stadium.
The Labor opposition on Wednesday moved a no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff, after a day earlier threatening to pull the trigger if it could find the numbers.
Three crossbench independents and the Greens have said they'll vote for the motion, which will give it the numbers to pass.
If a no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff is successful, convention dictates he resign and a fresh election is also a possibility.
Speaking during debate on the motion, Mr Rockliff urged MPs to put Tasmania's best 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," Mr Rockliff said.
"This day, it might not end well for me.
"But this day will define you (Mr Winter), for the rest of your political career. You will have the stigma ... of being a wrecker."
Mr Rockliff spruiked his government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuit of an AFL team and large-scale energy projects.
Mr Winter said the premier's deal, 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, Mr 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, are governing in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the 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 the premier had brought the no-confidence motion on himself.
"Poll after poll have 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 is supported 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.
