Lara Giddings: Labor’s agreement with the Greens at an end

With an election date now set the agreement between Labor and the Greens is now at an end.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, said the agreement was made solely in response to the outcome of the 2010 election, in order to provide stable government for the life of the current Parliament.
“With the next election date now set we have reached the logical end of the agreement between Labor and the Greens,” Ms Giddings said.

“We have succeeded in providing responsible government and strong leadership through difficult times but this was never an arrangement that was intended to continue beyond the current term.

“I can announce I am withdrawing Nick McKim and Cassy O’Connor’s Ministerial commission, effective from tomorrow.

“I will be recommending the following appointments to the Governor:

• Attorney General Brian Wightman will take on the Education and Skills portfolio;

• Craig Farrell will become Minister for Corrections, Consumer Protection and Sustainable Transport;

• Rebecca White will be Minister for Human Services; and

• the Premier will assume responsibility for Community Development, Climate Change and Aboriginal Affairs.

“Having Labor members in these roles for the short period that remains before the election means Tasmanians will know exactly what a future Labor Cabinet will look like.”

Ms Giddings said earlier today the caucus had endorsed her motion that Labor would not have Greens in Cabinet again, regardless of the result of the March 15 election.

“We acted to provide stable government for the past four years, but it’s clear that having Greens in Cabinet has disappointed many Labor voters and made it harder for us to highlight our achievements in the current term.

“We will always be prepared to provide responsible government but Labor Party members and the Labor supporters I’ve spoken to while door-knocking are united in their belief that Labor should not have Greens in Cabinet again and I will respect and uphold their views.

“As I have said many times before, Labor will be campaigning to govern in our own right because only Labor has the values, experience and policies to take Tasmania forward.”
Lara Giddings Premier