Straight after visiting Government House at around 10.45 this morning, Premier Peter Gutwein called a preference conference to announce a state election for 1 May. Elections for the Legislative Council divisions of Derwent, Mersey and Windermere will also be held on the same day.
Tasmanian Times presents transcripts of the three major media conferences held today, in order, by Peter Gutwein (Premier and Liberal Leader), Cassy O’Connor (Greens Leader) and Rebecca White (Labor Leader). Now ex-Liberal Clark MHA Sue Hickey did not respond to a request for a recording or transcript of her media event. Independent Clark MHA Madeleine Ogilvie was also contacted for comment and did not reply.
Media conference at Executive Building, Hobart, 26 March 2021
Peter Gutwein
Good morning everyone. I’m joined this morning by my long serving colleague and friend, the Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff. This morning, I called on the Governor and requested that an election be held for the House of Assembly on the first of May. I did this because Tasmania can’t afford the uncertainty of minority government. Now more than ever, we need a strong stable majority government. So that’s why this election will be about who can deliver the strong, stable, majority government needed to secure Tasmania’s future while COVID is not over yet. And many Tasmanians are still getting back on their feet. Our economy is growing again. We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, and job numbers are back at pre-pandemic levels. Tasmanians have shown great courage, resilience, compassion and kindness over the past year. We are in a good place. But there is a long road ahead and Tasmania needs certainty. Our plan to secure Tasmania’s future will deliver the certainty that Tasmania needs by making the decisions needed to continue keeping Tasmanians safe and secure from COVID-19, delivering a more diverse and resilient Tasmanian economy to create jobs to help protect against future challenges securing the essential services that all Tasmanians rely on, and ensuring that young Tasmanians and regional Tasmanians can get the training, apprenticeships and jobs for their future right here in Tasmania. My team and I have been decisive and we’ve held firm during the COVID 19 crisis and together with Tasmanians, we’ve helped Tasmania become one of the safest places in the world. On the other hand, Labor are indecisive, have no plan, and we all know that they will do a deal with the anti-everything Greens if there is a hung Parliament, just like they did last time. Before I take questions, I just want to mention one other matter which has been raised in the Parliament in the last week. This is the issue of donation disclosures. I want to assure Tasmanians, the re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal government will legislate the changes that we have publicly announced. But because that obviously can’t happen in time for this election, the Liberal Party has agreed to voluntarily disclose within two business days all donations received for the state campaign exceeding $5,000. The state director will put a statement out later today with more detail on how this will work. And I would hope that other parties will likewise voluntarily disclose thresholds and amounts themselves. In conclusion, every election is a choice and this one is no different. This election is a choice between a majority Gutwein Liberal government with a clear plan to secure Tasmania’s future or a hung parliament and another dysfunctional Labor-Green minority government. The only way to deliver the certainty Tasmania needs is by re-electing a majority Gutwein Liberal government. So my message is and will be for the next five weeks if you want the strong, stable, majority government needed to secure Tasmania’s future on the first of May vote Liberal.
Journalist
Premier, you effectively sent your own government into minority through your conversation with Sue Hickey on Sunday. She’s guaranteed supply and confidence regardless, you’re yet to deal in legislation with electoral donation reform or pokies reform as your government promised ahead of the next election. And as you know, the Opposition Leader is actually due to deliver a baby in June. Why should we believe that holding the election a year before it’s due is anything but political self interest?
Peter Gutwein
Look, one of the things that I know and from being treasurer for seven years is that confidence is very important. And under a minority Labor-Green government confidence collapsed, and we went into recession and Tasmanians lost jobs. The one thing that we need as we come out of COVID, as we rebuild out of COVID is the certainty that the majority government can provide, we need to secure Tasmania’s future and that’s entirely exactly what I intend to do. Now, in terms of the Opposition Leader, I have given a great deal of thought to that matter, and for obvious reasons. So an election if the parliament were to descend into dysfunction in June or July or August, would not be appropriate. And it’s something that I certainly would not do. I think it’s important that we go now and provide the certainty at the beginning of May.
Journalist
But you spoke with the Speaker on Sunday. She has been taking potshots at your colleagues for three years, you’ve decided you’ve had enough out of the blue on Sunday, you finally had that conversation with her. Why are we supposed to believe this is not about political self interest?
Peter Gutwein
Look, the Speaker brought that on herself. The Speaker was quoted in the press on Sunday. So you can certainly I’ve been upfront with Tasmanians, from day one since I became premier. I’ve been frank and I’ve been open and I could see no reason to not treat the Speaker with that same frankness and openness. And so I went to see her and I explained the circumstance, it’s the Speaker that decided to quit the Liberal Party, and to put the government into minority. And, as I’ve said, minority government will lead to a loss of confidence that will lead to a loss of jobs that will impact our economy. That’s something that we simply can’t have. My aim is to secure Tasmania’s future. We have a plan, a strong plan. And I want to continue to roll that out for the benefit of Tasmanians.
Journalist
The Parliament functioned effectively this week, it happened as it was supposed to anywhere and you were a minority that entire time. Why are Tasmanians supposed to accept that you cannot govern in minority.
Peter Gutwein
Look minority government, it’s been proven, leads to dysfunction and leads to a lack of confidence, as I’ve said. And the one thing that we can’t have at the moment as we rebuild out of COVID is a lack of confidence impacting on our economy and impacting on our rebuild. And that’s where minority government will take us. The simple fact of the matter is Tasmanians have been fantastic to work with over the last 12 months we have together delivered one of the safest places in Australia, one of the safest places on the planet. We have a clear plan, and a clear plan is working. I want to ensure that it continues to work and that we can deliver for Tasmanians, the security that they need, and that’s why we’re going to an election. I want to secure Tasmania’s future.
Journalist
Will there be a Legislative Council election on the same day.
Peter Gutwein
Yes, we will be.
Journalist
Obviously that will give your candidates a huge leg up.
Peter Gutwein
Look that will be a matter for the Electoral Commissioner to manage. I’ve taken advice from the Solicitor General, and I’ve been informed that it will be manageable.
Journalist
You said over and over again that your government would go to full term, that you would serve full term. Labor probably hasn’t even had time to pre-select candidates in in other seats. The Greens are still formulating some of the policies that they are expecting to release around the time of the next budget. Is this just a trick?
Peter Gutwein
This is a decision made to secure Tasmania’s future. Minority government is where the government stands right now. That will lead to dysfunction, lead to a lack of confidence. We have come too far too far in terms of the work that has gone on to ensure the Tasmania is safe, one of the safest places on the planet. Our clear plan is working as we rebuild Tasmania and I want to continue with that clear plan.
Journalist
Premier, there’s no guarantee you’ll win majority government. I mean, you’re doing well in the polls, but it’s always tight in in these elections as you know. Will you refuse to government in minority, or in coalition if that arises?
Peter Gutwein
Look, I won’t govern in minority, I give that very clear commitment. I will give a very clear commitment that I will govern in majority will not at all. Under the previous Premier, Will Hodgman. We saw what minority government prior to him becoming Premier could do. We had a recession. 10,000 jobs in Tasmania were lost at the peak. Mr Hodgman then formed a majority government. And since then, over the last seven years, 26,000 jobs have been created. We’ve had one of the fastest growing economies in the country. Tasmania has been confident. That’s the Tasmania that I want to see.
Journalist
Given that the Speaker has been acting effectively as an independent for a long time now, and there’s been no sign of dysfunction this week, you’re talking about the risk of dysfunction. Can you give us any evidence that that is a genuine risk that required you to go now other than…I think that a lot of people might think this is a fairly cynical ploy. Can you explain why that’s not the case? And what the risk of dysfunction really is?
Peter Gutwein
When the Speaker was a member of the Liberal Party, she voted against the government on a number of occasions; the Speaker is now an independent, I certainly don’t expect that behaviour would get any better. Under the circumstances that we find ourselves in, we are in minority government. That’s a statement of fact, and I wanted to deliver a majority government for Tasmania, it’s as simple as that. I want to ensure that we can secure Tasmania’s future and we’ve got a clear plan to do so.
Journalist
There’s a large focus, Premier nationally at the moment on the rights of women and treating women with respect. How is forcing a heavily pregnant woman to go to the rigours of a long election campaign? How is that respecting the rights to –
Peter Gutwein
Look, as I’ve said, and that’s looking in terms of Miss White are questions that you should put to her. I have given this a great deal of thought and obviously an election later this year is completely out of the question.
Journalist
Why is that completely out of the question?
Peter Gutwein
But I believe, well, in June, late June, Ms White will be giving birth, and I understand it, and through July we’ll have a newborn child. Right now we are in a minority government situation. As I said, I’ve considered this. The election will be held by the first of March on the first of March and how this matter will be over one way or the other.
Journalist
Can you explain what’s changed since a week ago in terms of the functioning of the Parliament and the state?
Peter Gutwein
A week ago, Sue Hickey was a member of the Liberal Party. Today she’s not. Again, what’s changed is that, as a member of the Liberal Party, we could not rely on Ms Hickey to vote with us on all matters. She’s now an independent, completely free, I don’t expect that circumstance to get any better.
Journalist
Have had you had any discussions with Madeleine Ogilvie about her joining the Liberal government?
Peter Gutwein
I’ve had a number of positive discussions with Madeline Ogilvie.
Journalist
Will she be a liberal candidate?
Peter Gutwein
That’s a matter for the party. And importantly, that’d be a matter for Madeleine Ogilvie.
Journalist
Premier, you haven’t actually pre-selected your candidates usually have to advertise in the newspaper, people talk to the state executive…do you get the captain’s call now?
Peter Gutwein
In terms of the party processes, they will take place over coming days. And those party processes will take place over coming days. And I’ll have more to say about their candidates in a few days time. Importantly, importantly, if I could make this point, in terms of my sitting members, they have all assured me that they will be standing and running. And that is a strong team. And we will add candidates to that over coming days. And I’ll have more to say on that process.
Journalist
What are the processes?
Peter Gutwein
Again, look, that’s a matter for…That is that is a matter for the Liberal Party to explain but state executive will play a role.
Journalist
Are you doing this to take advantage of the good fortune that we had during the pandemic? And you know doing this because you’re worried that the economic situation is going to deteriorate later in the year?
Peter Gutwein
We have followed a pathway built around a clear plan. And that plan was to keep Tasmanian safe. And as I’ve said, we are one of the safest places in the country if not one of the safest places on the planet as a result of that. That clear plan also was about rebuilding our economy. And we taken significant steps: introduced a construction blitz middle of last year, brought down a budget which had significant spending for health education and especially infrastructure. Our economy has bounced back. Tasmanians are confident we are seeing jobs being created. In fact, we are seeing vacancies that we need to fill. It is important that we can can continue with that clear plan to ensure that we can secure Tasmania’s future. That is why I’ve called an election.
Journalist
You’re talking steady as she goes Premier, why should Tasmanians vote for you? Let’s get to the nitty gritty. What are you seeking a mandate on exactly? TAFE, for example?
Peter Gutwein
Look in terms of our policies, we will make those clear over the coming period. In terms of TAFE, obviously, in terms of accepting the PESRAC recommendations, we want to see TAFE become a more nimble, more flexible organisation better, like able to operate like the businesses it’s there to serve. But I’ll be clear on that, we’re not going to privatise TAFE, what we’re going to do is continue with its evolution and actually ensure that we have a fit for purpose training provider. That’s certainly one of our policies. In terms of the extensive work that was done under PESRAC. We’ll be rolling out policies over the course of the election period, and Tasmanians will be able to make up their mind on those policies in coming days.
Journalist
We have a Commission of Inquiry commencing soon into horrific abuses against children in Tasmania. It seems, frankly, convenient that we’ll be running an election at the same time. Are you trying to take the heat off the government in that space? Is that is that a convenient timing?
Peter Gutwein
The Commission of Inquiry will go on for some time. In fact, this week, both Houses passed the necessary amendments to ensure that the changes that were recommended by the President could be implemented in that Commission. That will go on for some time. I have I am the Premier that has called on that Commission of Inquiry, no Premier before me has taken that step. Back to 2023. I first was involved in the discussion in the parliament in 2003. As Premier, I want to see that Commission of Inquiry do its work. Importantly, do it once, do it right, and ensure that we end up with the safest framework for children in the state.
Journalist
Premier you’ve placed us into a billion dollar debt and deficit. Is this a sign, calling of an early election, a sign that you’re just too scared to go to another term because it’s a horror show?
Peter Gutwein
Look, I’ve been upfront with Tasmanian in terms of our financial position. In fact, I was the first Premier and Treasurer in the country to release an economic statement. In fact, I released two last year. I’ve called it as it is. Now, these are challenging circumstances. But importantly, what we saw in the mid-year financial report was as a result of the stronger growth in our economy revenue starting to grow. We saw downward pressure on the deficits. And importantly, I would expect, if we can continue to see the confidence in our economy that we’re seeing now, if we can continue to see the investment and the growth and the jobs being created, that we will see increased revenues and streams and we’ll see an improved budget position.
Journalist
Are you happy for the Prime Minister campaigns alongside you as part of this election?
Peter Gutwein
Look, I’ve got a very good relationship with Scott Morrison. I’ve worked very closely with him now, and over the last period since I’ve been Premier, and obviously I’d welcome him campaigning with me.
Journalist
What will you be focusing on?
Peter Gutwein
I want to win as many seats as we possibly can
Journalist
You talk about the need for certainty. Is there anything on your legislative agenda that you’ve not been able to get through this Parliament that you will take to this election to make the case that should get through? And what is the fate now of the pokies legislation that’s been one promise and such a big focus in the last election?
Peter Gutwein
In terms of our position on the gaming legislation, in the gaming matter, that legislation will be introduced as soon as it can be after the government is formed after this election. Now, again, our position on that hasn’t changed. And we’ve been quite clear with people. Our policy position won’t change. In terms of other legislation, obviously, the workplace protesters, we believe that that’s important legislation. That was defeated in the Upper House. As much as Labor would try to convince people that they have an interest in that legislation, they let Tasmanians down, they let regional Tasmania down, especially in terms of voting against that in the Upper House this week. And obviously we would like to have a mandate for that.
Journalist
Have you called the election because the federal government’s popularity is deteriorating and will be potentially damaging for the state government to wait until after a federal election? Has that entered into your thinking at all.
Peter Gutwein
I have called the election because we want to secure Tasmania’s future. And at the moment Tasmania has dealt with the pandemic as well as any other jurisdiction on this planet. We are rebuilding our economy. We are creating jobs. Yeah, it is important that we don’t lose that momentum and that we continue to secure the future for Tasmania. That’s why I’ve called this election.
Journalist
Voluntary Assisted Dying is yet to receive royal assent. What happens with that legislation now? Will that still be coming into effect now that Parliament is prorogued?
Peter Gutwein
Yes, it will. My advice is that that is exactly the case that it will come into effect.
Journalist
Will the arrangements on political donations extend to the Legislative Council as well?
Peter Gutwein
In terms of Legislative Council, you’d be aware they already have a spending cap. and I think that donations, but they have a spending cap. And in terms of the Legislative Council, I’m not going to interfere in that process. In terms of the Lower House. Any donations that are received that are above $5,000 will be disclosed within two days.
Journalist
How is that appropriate to have donations disclosure for a House of Assembly campaign but not a Legislative Council campaign? Surely the question of integrity of elections is the same no matter what House of Parliament?
Peter Gutwein
Look, in terms of the Legislative Council, they already have a cap in place, but that’s a matter for the party secretary and he’ll be saying more this afternoon.
Journalist
Will Tasmanian Liberal Party be disclosing donations or individual MPs just to clarify?
Peter Gutwein
Look individual MPs won’t receive individual donations, donations are received by the party and therefore all donations will be disclosed.
Journalist
So the Upper House candidates will be included?
Peter Gutwein
I would presume so, they won’t be receiving donations themselves, it will be captured by the party. But again, in terms of the Upper House circumstance, they obviously have a cap in place and we’re not going to change that.
Journalist
Holding an election during the pandemic does seem like a bit of a risk. Have you sought public health advice?
Peter Gutwein
Look in terms of this, obviously, we were able to hold an upper house election for the seat of Rosevears earlier and obviously that was moved on one occasion and extended, but that was managed at a much more difficult part of the cycle than what we’re in at the moment.
Journalist
What if there is a case of coronavirus? It’s kind of hypothetical but given the parliament sorry the government is in caretaker role, what happens if something goes wrong?
Peter Gutwein
Well, in terms of the current of the structures that are in place, obviously the State Controller, the deputy State Controller and Dr. Veitch in his statutory position will continue to to do the role. What we will do is similar to what other states have done, and that is the term will provide updates, not political updates, but updates to ensure the Tasmanians are kept informed as we work through the next five weeks. Should there be a case, obviously, we will rely upon the advice of Dr. Veitch and the State Controller and the deputy State Controller as we have done throughout this period.
Media conference at Parliament Lawns, Hobart, 26 March 2021
Cassy O’Connor
It’s on, and the Greens are ready. We’ve got a plan to build back greener and fairer from COVID, to tackle climate action and make sure no one’s left behind. We want to invest in green skills and green jobs. We want to invest in the Tasmanian people, aged and disability care, rewilding, and housing as a fundamental human right. For nearly 40 years, the Greens have been standing with communities and holding governments to account. And over the next five weeks, we’ll be working hard with our fantastic candidates out there on the ground, building the green vote at this election.
Journalist
The Premier sasy the election’s being called because he doesn’t want to be in minority and basically he says that after the election he won’t govern in in minority. What do you make of that?
Cassy O’Connor
Well, of course, the Tasmanian people will decide who forms the next government. We’ll be running on our record of standing with communities, standing up for forests and wilderness, for Tasmanians who need a secure, affordable home for our children and young people. Whatever the Tasmanian people decide in their wisdom, we’ll be back in there working hard for the Tasmanian people, as we have for four decades on this beautiful island.
Journalist
Your vote went backwards in 2018, how will you stem that flow? What do you expect to happen this time?
Cassy O’Connor
I think it’s a really different ground, if you like, for a campaign. There’s much more awareness of the need for strong climate action. I think that there’s a real desire in the community to see us build back greener and fairer. And membership is growing; we’re getting more and more young people sign on to be part of the Greens because they know we’re steadfast and true. When we say something, we mean it. And we have real integrity and a plan for the future, which is to build back greener and fair from COVID. And to make sure nobody is left behind. And we’ve demonstrated that during COVID. Over the past year particularly, Rosie and I have worked hard to be constructive players in the Tasmanian parliament. We made sure that there were tenancy protections in place through our COVID emergency legislation. But we fought hard for tenants in the Tasmanian parliament, even this week moving for some control on soaring rents. So we’ll be campaigning on our record, and I genuinely believe this time around, it’s going to be different.
Journalist
We saw in 1989, the last time a Premier went this early, a hung parliament returned. If we were to have that result repeated, would the Greens work with Labor the Liberals to form government?
Cassy O’Connor
What we will do is respect the will of the Tasmanian people, no matter what they decide. And as we’ve demonstrated over nearly 40 years, we are constructive operators in the Tasmanian Parliament. We believe we are elected to do the right thing by this beautiful island and its people. So no matter what the result of the election, we will keep working hard. We will keep representing those communities that have been disenfranchised by both the Liberal and Labor parties, whether it’s over fish farms or a prison in a nature reserve at Westbury. We’ll just keep working hard and we’ll be running on our record in this campaign.
Journalist
You’ve announced five lead candidate to the Lower House. Will you be announcing any Upper House candidates? And how are you filling the rest of your ticket in the Lower House?
Cassy O’Connor
Well, we’re working through pre selection processes right now for the rest of the tickets in the lower house. And I’m absolutely certain we’ll have those tickets filled probably within the best part of a week. Look, for the Legislative Council elections, I believe that our priority now has to be on the state election campaign and making sure we’ve got a fantastic team of 25 candidates to represent the Greens out in the communities as we move towards the election.
Journalist
Given that you already have pre-selected some candidates, do you think that you’re in a better position than Labor going into this election? I
Cassy O’Connor
I know we’re in a strong position going into the selection. We pre-selected our lead candidates earlier. We’ve got a fantastic team. We have worked hard in Parliament and we’ve got runs on the board. We’ve advocated for people who’ve been left behind by this government. I am certain that we’re in a good position going into this campaign. Now you have to just work hard every single day. You have to campaign on your record and engage with the Tasmanian people about your plan for the future. That’s what we’ll be doing.
Journalist
Are there outstanding issues that the Tasmanian people deserve answers on before they go to the polls?
Cassy O’Connor
Well, the pokies legislation is an outstanding issue. The last election campaign was thoroughly contaminated by millions of dollars in gambling money from the pokies industry. And we haven’t seen that legislation. Now we know, of course, that it will be one of the first orders of business when Parliament returns, should the Liberals be returned as the government, and I think that’s a very serious, outstanding issue. Of course, there’s also the outstanding issue of how seriously this government does or doesn’t take the need for climate action, the need for an end to native forest logging, and the strong desire of the Tasmanian people to see their public protected areas and their wilderness looked after,
Journalist
It promises to be a very interesting election? Talk me through how you’re viewing that…there’ll be a number of progressive candidates or some some progressive policies, some might not be considered progressive, what would that look like for you?
Cassy O’Connor
Well, I’m sure many seasoned election watchers will be getting out the popcorn. Clark is the proverbial Melbourne Cup field. And we’re taking nothing for granted in Clark. We will need every single number one vote that we can secure. And I’ll certainly, while I’ll have to be working statewide, I’ll certainly be focusing on Clark, because it’s going to be a tight contest.
Journalist
And what about Franklin? Because we saw Dr. Woodruff come come through quite late in the piece, at risk of losing your seat. What will the focus be there?
Rosalie Woodruff
Well, the focus on Franklin will be representing the people of Franklin on the issues they care about, which is what I’ve been doing in Parliament for the last three years since the last election. It was a very tight campaign last time. And I have spent my time in Parliament over the last three years, listening and working with communities on the issues they care about, on planning on giving communities that wield voice about all the developments that are happening without them having a say. About listening to their concerns around health, particularly around housing, and about having a transition away from native forest logging and a real future for communities in the Huon Valley. So there is so much work that we’ve been doing over the last three, three years since the last election, and I am certain that this election, people will understand that the Greens can really represent the issues they care about in Parliament.
Journalist
What do you make of the liberals pledge to voluntarily disclose donations above five thousand dollars this time?
Cassy O’Connor
Well, it’s a good start. Of course, you know, they could declare the seven and a half to $8 million that they’ve received from corporate donors over the past three years while they’ve dragged their heels on donations reform. But it’s a good start to hear the Premier announce that there will be something close to real time disclosure for donations over $5,000. I’d be very unsurprised if over the next few days before the writs are issued that that comes into place…if the corporate money isn’t flowing, thick and strong to the Liberals right now.
Journalist
It appears that voluntary disclosure won’t extend to Legislative Council campaigns. Is that a significant flaw?
Cassy O’Connor
It is a flaw. The flaw here is that it is well known Tasmania has the weakest donation disclosure laws in the country. And not long after the 2018 state election, which was thoroughly contaminated by gambling industry money, the then Premier said there would be improvements to the legislation. Now that didn’t happen over the past three years. And it’s a matter of great regret for our democracy. You shouldn’t have two sets of rules, depending on where a candidate is running and the Upper or Lower House. So I think it just highlights the urgent need for electoral reform in Tasmania that applies to both Upper and Lower House elections.
Journalist
Do you think the Premier is trying to get the election out of the way before the Commission of Inquiry gets into the bulk of its work?
Cassy O’Connor
I think that’s more a question for the Premier. There’s no doubt the Commission of Inquiry will be a traumatic experience for people who take part in it but also for the broader Tasmanian community. But it’s a really necessary process for us to go through so we can make sure that Tasmania is the safest and kindest place for children in the country.
Journalist
And I know you’ve deflected this in the first go, but are you not cynical about the timing of this announcement, of the timing of the sacking of the Speaker. Suddenly we’re in minority government, suddenly it won’t work. Are you cynical about the Premier’s rationale?
Cassy O’Connor
Well, we are going to an election a year ahead of shedule. We think that it was possible to make that Parliament work. That’s the Parliament that helped to pass the safest and kindest voluntary assisted dying laws in the country. But again, that’s a matter for the Premier, he’ll have to explain – probably over and over again for a little while – why he’s taking Tasmanians to the polls a year early. We’re here to say that we are ready. And we have a plan to build back from COVID greener and for intellectual nobody is left behind.
Journalist
What are your thoughts on the Leader of the Opposition dealing with the pregnancy around the time of the election?
Cassy O’Connor
Obviously, that’s a matter for Rebecca. But you know, I’ve had four children and and kept working. It’s entirely doable to maintain a high energy level and enthusiasm, even while you’re cooking a little person. What a beautiful day, day one of the campaign.
Tasmanian Times
Are you expecting much in terms of pro-pokie money…certainly couldn’t be the same as last time, surely?
Cassy O’Connor
The gambling industry has much less incentive to pour money into the Liberal and Labor parties given that they’re both going to back the pokies legislation. So they got the Liberals sorted. And not long after the 2018 state election Labor folded on its principled position about removing poker machines from pubs and clubs. So unfortunately, I think the gambling industry is probably breathing easier this time, because they know that should the Liberals come back in majority, that is the first bill that’s likely to be slapped on the table.
Media conference at Newnham, 26 March 2021
Rebecca White
Peter Gutwein has manufactured a crisis of instability in his own government to call an early election. Effectively what Tasmanian should be asking him to explain today is why he’s given up on the job before it’s even done. He’s called an election one yearly, in order to take advantage of a situation of instability that he created in his own government. There’s no doubt that the only plan Peter Gutwein has is a privatisation plan. He’s sacking 50 workers at Hydro. He’s taking the axe to Hydro as his next attack is on TAFE. He is taking the axe to TAFE at a time when we need to be providing opportunities for more Tasmanians to get a job in this state, for more Tasmanians to get the skills and training they need so that we can support our economy to recover. The Labor Party has a clear plan for Tasmania. We’ve got a jobs plan that will create 35,000 jobs right now for Tasmanians, investing in TAFE, investing in the training and skills that we know provide more apprenticeships and opportunities for Tasmanians to get a job here and have a good life. The latest data released by this government shows the housing waiting has exploded to 4000 families. 10% of the Tasmanian population is waiting to see a doctor at a hospital. There are more than 50,000 people waiting to see an outpatient, a specialist clinic appointment. This is a government that’s presided over crises in the crises. Now I’m just making things up. This is the government that’s overseeing a crisis in housing affordability, and access to health care. And now with JobKeeper ending at the end of this week, more Tasmanians will be out of work. Every single person who loses their job as a consequence of the JobKeeper cuts being made by the federal government should know that Peter Gutwein is cheering that he didn’t stand up for them. He supports the cuts to JobKeeper and every single person in Tasmania who loses their job because the job paper cuts are coming into effect at the end of this week should send a thank you letter for Peter Gutwein because he’s done nothing to help them. In contrast Labour Party has supported the work of the Federal Labor Party and the unions to implement the wage subsidy. We support the role JobKeeper has played in our economy. And we know that we’re not through this pandemic yet. We need to continue to support workers, we need to continue to support businesses. And that’s why we’ve got our fully costed jobs plan to create 35,000 jobs here in Tasmania, to make sure that people can have a good life and to make Tasmania a better and a fairer place. I’m happy to take any questions you want now. But I’m also joined here today by a TAFE teacher, who I wouldn’t mind introducing you to, to explain why one of the key policies that Peter Gutwein’s taking to the election which is to blow up TAFE and privatise it, is not only the worst economic policy for a generation, but will have devastating impacts on the ability of Tasmanians right now to get a foot in the door to get a job.
Damon, TAFE teacher
Damon (inaudible), I work a TAFE teacher. One of the major concerns from the general population of TAFE teachers is that the last seven years, the Liberal Party have had ample opportunity to fund TAFE adequately. What we believe is that this is an axe approach rather than a toothpick approach to improving TAFE. The ongoing issues in relation to lack of funding include cutting out night classes. You know, we get feedback from industry saying we want night classes, that’s not a teacher (thing). We’ve got plenty of teachers who’ll be happy to work night, they work weekends, they start early in the morning, they finish late at night. We have the flexibility of flexibility that Peter’s talking about already. Award conditions allow that. The last EBA, the union approached the employer and actually said ‘let’s create more flexibility in what we do’. The employer – the Tasmanian government – didn’t want to look at any of those issues that we put on the table, including extra support staff in administration, because we know our middle managers are way overworked and they need a lot more support. Further additions to the concerns Tas TAFE teachers have is the continual lack of sorry, the continual cut in funding, which includes increasing class sizes, reducing contact hours, which obviously has an impact on the quality of delivery. One of the issues that we also see from industry, we’re not flexible enough in what we want to do. Well we teach the Australian training packages, they need to approach the industry heads and actually talk to them about what needs to be done. And that filters back through to Tas TAFE and we apply that new knowledge in what we do. So industry actually need to engage their own industry leaders and engage in what we do from a big picture level,
Journalist
What does it mean for students educational outcomes?
Damon, TAFE teacher
One of the major issues with privatisation is that the quality of teaching will be reduced, because what they’ll do is they’ll subcontract a lot of the teaching out. What I mean by that is if, for example, other government services are all provided by NGOs, so we’re looking at it that you know, reduce the teachers, when the government says we’re not going to reduce teachers, they technically won’t reduce the teachers overall, but they will at Tas TAFE. So they’ll sack Tas TAFE teachers and replace them with subcontractors. Thank you
Journalist
Will Labor commit to disclosing donations in real time?
Rebecca White
So I noticed today that the Premier Peter Gutwein, has committed to disclosing donations over $5,000 that are made to the Liberal Party every second day. Now, that’s something that the Labor Party can match. But what we could have had instead is real electoral reform in Tasmania if he’d kept his promise, and introduced that legislation before the next election. Instead, he’s given up on the job and called an early election, so Tasmania won’t have reform of our electoral donation laws before this next election.
Journalist
But will the Labor Party disclose their donations in real time?
Rebecca White
We will match what the Liberal Party promised.
Journalist
(inaudible)
Rebecca White
We haven’t endorsed our candidates yet. We’ve opened a nomination process for every seat across the state and we will be welcoming new candidates and I look forward to announcing them in coming days.
Was the
Journalist
Was the Labor Party caught out by this announcement?
Rebecca White
What do you mean, the early election announcement? Well, I mean Peter Gutwein’s manufactured instability in his own government in order to have an excuse to call an early election because of his inability to manage his own party members. He’s saying he now has to go to the polls. What he should be explaining to Tasmanians is why he’s given up on the job a year early. Labor Party’s always been ready for an election campaign. There are so many things to fight this campaign on. There are so many people who’ve been left behind by this government. There are so many Tasmanians who are homeless, so many Tasmanians who can’t access health care. And there are so many Tasmanians who are out of a job. They deserve a better government than this one. And that’s what this election will be about.
Journalist
What do you think of Antony Green and the Premier’s baby comments?
Rebecca White
Look, I’m no different to any other woman who’s worked while she’s pregnant. As far as I’m concerned, this is a brilliant time for us to go to an election. It doesn’t matter whether I’m pregnant or not. We will be campaigning as hard as we can because Tasmanians deserve a better government than this one to make sure that they’ve got job security, housing affordability addressed, and they can access the health care that they need.
Journalist
(inaudible)
Rebecca White
Not at all, we’ve got a strong team that I take forward. Every single one of my members that already stands with me is going to be contesting the next election. And we’ll add to that team. In a Hare-Clark election, where everyone starts from zero, everything is up for grabs. So I’m absolutely confident in our ability to win majority Labour government to deliver a better and fairer Tasmania, to improve access to health care and housing, and support more people to access training through TAFE to get a job
Journalist
You just mentioned earlier, what is actually happening with the with the candidates, have you got some in mind and are just yet to announce them or is it some way off?
Rebecca White
Well, that’s a matter for the party. So the administrative wing of the party is undertaking a process as we speak, calling for nominations. And I’ll be pleased to announce our candidates in coming days.
Journalist
There’s been commentary that your party is deeply divided internally, how do you resolve that.
Rebecca White
The party is not. I mean, I don’t know who’s making those comments. But at the end of the day, my commitment and my focus is on winning majority Labour government for the state. I’m surrounded by a team of deeply talented people who are committed to Tasmania, to making it a better and fairer place. And my focus on the next five weeks, is talking to as many Tasmanians as possible to communicate to them our positive plan for Tasmania to create 35,000 jobs and support more people into housing, to access the health care that they need, and to make Tasmania a better place.
Journalist
Should Tasmanians back you if your own party can’t?
Rebecca White
I’ve got the support of my party. I’ve got the support of my team, and I’m looking for the support of Tasmania. It’s Peter Gutwein has given up on Tasmanians by calling an early election. He’s given up halfway through the job; he needs to explain to them while he’s many while he’s manufactured a crisis in his own party. It’s Peter Gutwein who’s been leading a minority party because of the his failure to manage the internal divisions within the liberals. It’s him who needs to explain why he’s taken Tasmanian to the poll early.
Journalist
So if the Labor Party were in the same position and they were facing minority government, they would still hold the full term?
Rebecca White
That’s a hypothetical. The commitment that I can give to Tasmanians is that the Labor Party is campaigning for majority Labor government. We won’t be doing deals with anybody. I can rule that out. We will not be governing in minority. My commitment to all Tasmanians is that the team that you see before you in the selection will be a team that can deliver stable majority Labor government, unlike Peter Gutwein, who has gone to an election because he couldn’t hold his team together.
Journalist
What is your platform?
Rebecca White
Well, the Labor Party has a strong platform around jobs, particularly creating more jobs for Tasmanians. We will be rebuilding TAFE not privatising TAFE like the Liberal government wants to do. We’ll be investing in more affordable and social housing because there are so many Tasmanians who simply can’t afford to put a roof over their head. We’ll be addressing the chronic crisis that we see in our health system. These are the key issues that fundamentally concern Tasmanians. They want to know that their kids can get a good education, they can put a roof over their head of their family and that they can have a secure job. That’s what the Labor Party stands for.
Journalist
(inaudible)
Rebecca White
Of course we will. Yeah. I mean, we’ve already released a fully costed jobs plan in response to last year’s budget. That is a fully costed document that would create 35,000 jobs over the course of the next four years for Tasmanians. It also details how we would invest in more affordable housing because by building more houses, you not only put a roof over somebody’s head, but you actually create jobs. We’ll have a suite of fully costed policies to present to the people of Tasmania in addition to what we’ve already announced, because we know how important this election is. We know that Tasmanians deserve better. They deserve a majority Labor government that can make Tasmania a better and a fairer place.
Journalist
So the Premier suggested this morning that the Labor Party would join forces with the Greens. Are you ruling that out?
Rebecca White
Absolutely. I’ve ruled that out since I took on the leadership of this party in 2017. I categorically stated then that Labor Party would never do a deal with the Greens. Certainly not because Peter Gutwein thinks we would, but because it’s the worst idea for Tasmania. My commitment to Tasmania is to govern in majority, and certainly not do any deals with any minor party, particularly not the Greens. Thank you.
