Statement – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 4 October 2023
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Today, Tasmanians have certainty on the future of our state. Elise Archer’s decision to resign from the Parliament was the right thing to do.
I said this week, that if culture is to change in this state it requires leadership and accountability, starting at the top – no matter how challenging the consequence of those decisions might be.
I am hopeful that the events of the past few days open a new chapter in standards and accountability in Tasmania.
I look forward to welcoming a new Liberal Member for Clark to the Parliament in due course. Parliament will return on October 17, on the provision that Labor has provided confirmation of a pair until the vacant seat in Clark is filled.
Media release – Rebecca White MP, Tasmanian Labor Leader, 4 October 2023
Liberals must get on with governing after Archer debacle
After paralysing Tasmania for almost a week, the Rockliff government must now get on with the business of actually governing the state and ensure that Parliament resumes on 17 October.
Elise Archer’s confirmation that she is quitting the Parliament brings to an end the farce that has left Tasmania in limbo and highlighted the mess that Jeremy Rockliff has made of his government and his Premiership.
But Ms Archer’s comments in her resignation statement show the division, dysfunction and instability of the Liberals is anything but over.
Mr Rockliff has shown over the past week that he does not have what it takes to lead the state and that he has no plan for the future.
But he must finally show some fortitude and commit to Parliament resuming as scheduled on 17 October to get on with the important work of the Commission of Inquiry and other priorities for Tasmanians.
My offer to the Premier to provide a pair to offset the absence of a Liberal Member for Clark still stands, and Labor – and all Tasmanians – would expect Mr Rockliff to accept this offer.
So many Tasmanians have been hurt by the systemic failures of government agencies and we cannot afford to let the internal problems of the Liberal party overshadow this.
Not only that, but Tasmanians need urgent action to fix the mess the Liberals have made of our health system, education system, housing and cost of living over their 10 years in government.
The government’s massive internal divisions and instability are also impacting business confidence and growth and the state is now headed for $5.6 billion of debt.
In contrast Labor is ready to govern and this year we have put a number of our plans to the Tasmanian people in the key priority areas of health, housing, cost of living and education.
Tasmanians who were promised stable, majority government deserve so much better than a minority, unstable and dysfunctional government wracked by internal divisions and infighting.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 4 October 2023
Government Focus Must Return to COI Response
The turmoil boiling over within the Liberal party is now returning to a simmer, and the focus of Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his ministers must immediately return to responding to the urgent recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, and the many other issues facing the Tasmanian community.
Just two days after Tasmania’s Parliament faced one of the most momentous events in its history, the Liberal government was completely distracted and consumed by internal power plays. For the many Tasmanians concerned about the safety of children in government institutions – especially victim-survivors and advocates – this has been devastating to observe.
There are so many Commission of Inquiry matters the government needs to respond to immediately. A timeline to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre; the safety of children in out of home care; an independent investigation into Tasmania Police’s handling of child sexual abuse allegations; holding public servants who covered up abuse or failed to protect children to account; immediate funding for urgent recommendations; the list goes on.
With Elise Archer now confirming her resignation, and Labor guaranteeing they will provide a pair until her replacement is elected, there is no excuse for Jeremy Rockliff to delay the return of Parliament.
Last week the Premier said “all Members of Parliament have an active role to play in delivering the changes the Commission has recommended quickly and efficiently.” Now it’s time for him to put his money where his mouth is and ensure the Parliament can pass the budget bill for funding of the Inquiry’s urgent recommendations.
Delaying the return of Parliament for the sake of a minor political convenience would be a shocking blow to the victim-survivors and whistleblowers who have given so much, and who have waited so long for action.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 4 October 2023
Tasmanians deserve certainty about the future of their State
This morning I wrote to Elise Archer and respectfully requested that she advise Tasmanians of her decision as to whether she will remain in Parliament or not by 9am on Monday, 9 October.
I have been clear: if Ms Archer cannot provide the Government a guarantee of supply and confidence she should stand down from Parliament to make way for a Liberal.
I have advised Ms Archer that if I do not receive a decision by 9.00am AEDT, Monday October 9, 2023, I will have no option other than to request the Governor dissolve the Parliament and issue writs for a General Election.
The letter can be viewed here.
