Premier must immediately tell Tasmanians when critical Cabinet positions will be filled
Groom resignation leaves crucial Energy, State Growth portfolios as well as Attorney-General vacant
Tasmanians deserve better than unstable government
Premier Will Hodgman has done nothing to allay fears that the wheels are falling off his government after the sudden resignation of his senior Minister Matthew Groom.
The Premier failed to answer critical questions this morning about how he plans to steady the ship.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said Mr Groom’s departure left an embarrassing excess of important Cabinet positions vacant and Tasmanians need to know who will fill the roles important to the day-to-day running of the state, including State Growth Minister, Energy Minister and Attorney-General.
“There can be no doubt that Tasmania now has a Liberal Government that is anything but stable,” Mr Bacon said.
“The Premier is now running a government without an Attorney-General, without a State Growth and Energy Minister, without an Environment Minister and without a Minister for Justice.
“Mr Hodgman needs to tell Tasmanians who will fill these essential roles and when they will be filled.
“His statements today that a new Cabinet would be announced in due course are not good enough.
“Will Elise Archer or Sarah Courtney be given Ministries, will the government appoint a new Speaker for the House of Assembly and will he conduct a wholesale Cabinet reshuffle or does he intend to try and go forward with acting Ministers?
“Importantly, when will the government announce an endorsed candidate for Mr Groom’s vacancy in Denison and does the Minister’s departure open the door for the Lord Mayor Sue Hickey to show her hand?
“The events of the weekend have left significant question marks over the ability and effectiveness of the Hodgman Government going forward and the Premier needs to convince Tasmanians he is serious about providing stable government.”
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Treasurer
