Aird mutiny direct challenge to Bartlett

NICK McKIM, Greens Leader, MR www.tas.greens.org.au

The Tasmanian Greens today said that Treasurer Michael Aird has mutinied against Premier David Bartlett by refusing to countenance working with the Greens in a power-sharing arrangement despite Mr Bartlett saying yesterday that he would be prepared to do so.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that Mr Aird’s treacherous outburst is a deliberate challenge to Mr Bartlett’s leadership, but questioned whether Mr Bartlett has the authority to bring him back into line.

“Mr Bartlett has a mutiny on his hands, and if he refuses to take Mr Aird on, it will expose him as a weak leader with no authority over his Cabinet,” Mr McKim said.

“Labor is disintegrating badly after just one poor poll result and their capacity to govern Tasmania therefore has to be questioned.”

“Mr Aird is clearly an old-style majority government ideologue, for whom working constructively and co-operatively runs a distant last to hanging onto absolute power.”

“Mr Aird’s mutiny is a direct threat to Mr Bartlett’s authority, and if the Premier can’t pull him into line he has no option but to sack him as Treasurer.”