Transcript of media conference with Jeremy Rockliff, Premier of Tasmania and Liberal MHA for Braddon, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 15 February 2024. Liberal Party MHAs for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie and Simon Behrakis were both also present ‘behind the microphones’ but did not speak.

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Today. I’m here with Members for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie and Simon Behrakis. And as both Madeline and Simon, as you will, indeed, would all recognise, this is a fantastic building, a complex, infrastructure. The Myer building and indeed the Crowne Plaza Hotel as well, a wonderful retail environment, bringing jobs and vibrancy to the heart of our city, right here in Hobart.

And it has a history. In 2007 it was burnt down. And over the course of the next seven years, nothing happened. And in 2014, when the majority Liberal government were elected, we took a course of action. We wanted to bring the heart back to our city. What we inherited was a hole in the city and a pile of concrete. What we’ve got now is a vibrant retail area. Myer, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, vibrancy and jobs, being back to the heart of the city. This is symbolic of where we have come from.

It was a 2014 majority Liberal government that brought confidence to the city, brought confidence to Tasmania. And yes, we supported and brought confidence to the city and indeed investors with a $15 million commercial loan. Now while that loan wasn’t realised, it still brought that confidence to get things done, and to rebuild the heart of the wonderful city of Hobart.

And it is symbolic of where we’ve come from since 2014, where we inherited a state that had just lost 10,000 jobs. We’ve created 53,000 jobs. We’re rebuilding, not only infrastructure such as this through the confidence of the private sector, but also rebuilding our schools, our hospitals, our roads and bridges, and investing in two brand new Spirit of Tasmania ferries. So we’ve come a long way. This is what can happen under a majority Liberal government.

And there’s a lot of risk. We’ve got more to do. But there’s a lot of risk. But what this is symbolic of is the fact that Tasmania has come a long way, sticking to our long term plan and moving forward with our 2030 strong plan for Tasmania’s future.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Your cap on the stadium project of $375 million and vision that it can’t be delivered on budget.

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

What is a clear commitment is that the $375 million will be invested and not one cent more. This is our commitment; there will be no more spent on or invested in the stadium, the Macquarie Point precinct stadium, than $375 million. That’s our commitment. And we are now open to the private sector to come in and invest in the precinct to ensure that the 4000 jobs in construction can be realised, the enormous economic benefits, securing entertainment from around the nation and internationally, and indeed securing our own AFL Tea and AFL W team.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

To what extent do you concede though that this cap has killed the project?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

We’ve been very clear about the $375 million, which we’re investing once, and we spend three, we invest $375 million every 45 days in the health system, for example, at $8 million a day. What this clearly says is that we’ve drawn a line in the sand: $375 million will be invested on the Macquarie Point stadium bringing with it vibrancy that the investment here has brought through a combination of government and indeed, private sector interests.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

You’ve been critical of the other project about not providing details about private investment and where it might come from. Don’t you see that this is a similar situation? You’re saying the private market will invest but there’s no details about how or where or how feasible it is?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, it’s uncertain around the potential $2.3 billion investment of the other proponent. What we’re very clear about is that we have a strong plan for Macquarie Point precinct, including a stadium, which is now in the planning system. So well and truly on track.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

In terms of the money that will be privately invested, do you need to find that money before you can spend it? Or will you be paying for it, like you have already the money that was earmarked for private investment, and then hoping to recoup?t

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

We always said that will need to be an equity injection through the private sector. And what we’re saying now is that we’re capping $375 million investment to create economic opportunity. And, of course, the opportunity for private sector investment as well, to realise the Macquarie Point precinct.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

But if you’re paying before you get the money back, at that point, it’s your money going in isn’t it?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, we’ll be investing in the precinct the Macquarie Point precinct as we said we would, needed equity injection of the private sector, we’re capping our $375 million investment into the Macquarie Point precinct Stadium, which will bring with it bring with it vibrancy, retail, private sector investment, and many, many jobs.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

What’s your understanding of how much of the federal money will be spent on stadium as opposed to the broader precinct?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

The Macquarie Point $240 million Matt, we’re very pleased with the commitment from the Prime Minister and the federal government. That is into the Macquarie Point precinct, including the stadium. And what we’ve said is that our funding, our investment of $375 million will be invested, not a cent more, and of course, the rest to come from the private sector in a true partnership to realise that vision.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

But how much if any of that federal funding is your understanding can be spent on the stadium per se, as opposed to the broader precinct?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, it can be spent on the stadium and the precinct more broadly.

Journalist – Imogen Elliott

Have you had conversations with the AFL about this change? Does it indicate that there is room to renegotiate?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

There’s no need to renegotiate the arrangements. The AFL deal is struck. It’s good for Tasmania. It’s good for investment. It’s good for jobs, and will bring a long term vision of having our own AFL team.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Some have suggested that looking for private investment for that extra part of the money, does it violate the terms of the contract –

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

No, it doesn’t, because clearly, we’ve already said that we would require an equity injection from the private sector.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

If that private sector money isn’t forthcoming, do you concede that the project is at that point dead?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, there was great deal of interest. Tasmania is open for business. This is an example of what you can do under a majority Liberal government. And I say the precinct that we’re on now. The Myer building, Crowne Plaza Hotel is what we can achieve when you bring confidence not only to a city, but to the state of Tasmania.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

You’re here with your Clark candidates. There’s a new contestant in Clark, Elise Archer has put her a hand up to run as an independent. She was pretty scathing of you and your party on the radio this morning. Can you do a deal with her if you do need to? Looking forward can you work with Elise Archer?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, who is whoever is elected to the Parliament, and every electorate is up to the will of the people, in this case, the will of the Clark electorate. And as I’ve said very clearly, we are heading for majority government, we were elected in 2021 in a majority, and we’re having this election to restore the certainty and the stability that Tasmanians voted for in 2021. And we’ll work very hard to ensure that we were do restore the certainty instability by re-electing a majority Liberal government in 2024.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

Could you explain why Tasmania needs more politicians?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, the Parliament for many years has been demonstrated in parliamentary reports and other interested commentators and the like that the parliament is too small. What it will bring with a greater diversity of individuals from all across Tasmania, it will provide a greater workings of the Parliament as well and broader representation.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Does the budget blowout in the revised Estimates report show you’re not as good at managing the economy as you say you are?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

What it says is that when you restore certainty and stability, when you have certainty and stability under majority governments, you can not only grow the economy, which the growth forecasts continue at 1.5 and 2%, which is above the national average. Can I say very clearly that it shows that you can invest in a health system into housing, into supporting Tasmanians with the cost of living and as the RER demonstrates $270 million of much needed investment to implement the Commission of Inquiry recommendations.

Journalist – David Killick

That $270 million appears to account…that’s over the forward estimates. What is that money going to be spent on?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, there’ll be implementing to ensure that we have the resources to implement the recommendations, as you know, the recommendations bring forward in the future to 2029. This is over the forward estimates, of course. And there are a number of key milestones we will need to invest in and absolutely should invest in and will invest in to ensure that the 191 recommendations are well and truly implemented. Not only implemented, but as I said yesterday, and I’ve said many times, we want to lead the nation when it comes to the support and the protection of children and vulnerable people.

Journalist – David Killick

There’s about $60 million allocated though, that figure now appears to be about $310 million. Does that include compensation for victim survivors?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well includes a range of measures and supporting victim survivors, of course, which we’ve always done.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

So it does include payouts to victims survivors?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

There’s a number of areas there that we are supporting victims and survivors in. Well, I’m not going to get into hypotheticals of how much … what I’m saying is that the $270 million additional will be there, of course, to support victims and survivors and implement the recommendations

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Does it provide for an amount of compensation?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

I’m not going to get on to amounts of compensation, I’m going to say that we are supporting victim survivors, both in their well being and their needs and indeed implementing the recommendations.

Journalist – David Killick

$300 million sounds like a lot of money. We don’t have a lot of specifics on what exactly it’s been spent on.

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well the specifics are the recommendations, and we are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry. We will do that. Recommendations over the course of the last, over the next six years, to 2029. And look forward and absolutely will commit to each and every one of those recommendations as we’ve done repeatedly.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

So when will you release a detailed breakdown of those costs and what you will spend that money on?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well as we’ve committed to there’s been initially in December, which has been well scrutinised, the interim response to the Commission of Inquiry, and the comprehensive response is on track for July this year,

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Debt is scheduled to or estimated to get to about six $6 billion by 2027. Does that concern you?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, what it demonstrates is that we’ve been investing in areas that Tasmanians care about: into our health system, housing, supporting Tasmanians with cost of living. What it also demonstrates is that we have the lowest debt in the nation per capita. And indeed, amongst the lowest net debt per capita. We have had to invest to support Tasmanians through COVID, invest to support Tasmanians and the Commission of Inquiry recommendations and other areas to ensure that we’re not only growing our economy but supporting Tasmanians.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

Just in terms of how you’d approach a minority government situation, yesterday you outlined three conditions, I think, or prerequisites if you like. So can you confirm that you would sign a formal agreement if it met those three conditions? Is that a fair interpretation of what you said?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well what I said, firstly, is that we are the only party that can win a majority government. And that is our clear focus to restore certainty and stability to the Tasmanian Parliament so we can move forward with our 2030 strong plan for Tasmania.

But I also said that there’ll be no deals with the Greens. I’m happy to have conversations of course with others that are elected in the Parliament, and Tasmanians would expect me to do that. The 2021 election elected a majority Liberal government, and in 2024 we obviously are committed and working hard to deliver a majority of Liberal government, once again. Should that not be achievable and the hung parliament, we have the most seats, then clearly, we would have a mandate to implement our 2030 strong plan for Tasmania’s future.

And I’m saying that I respect the voters of Tasmania. I’m saying I respect the will of the people. What I’m saying is that that respect means that we need to have a mature conversation, as Tasmanians would expect to have, to ensure that we bring and restore stability and certainty to the parliament. So those three matters Matthew raised: no deals with the Greens, I won’t be trading ministries or policies, and I won’t be compromising or, in short, I won’t be compromising on our 2030 strong plan for Tasmania, that is not up for negotiation.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

You’re not, provided all those conditions are met, you’re not opposed to a written agreement that would provide would provide more stability?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Provided all those conditions are met. I’m not opposed to having a conversation with others in the Parliament and securing that arrangement which will bring certainty and stability to the Tasmanian Parliament.

Tasmanian Times

But your inability to negotiate with the cross-bench led to the collapse of your government. Why should voters have any confidence that you could negotiate with the cross-bench in the new Parliament of 35?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Thank you. The 2021 election, elected a majority Liberal government. The 2021 election provided a and the voters voted for a majority Liberal government in 2021. That’s not the parliament that we ended up with, to the end of or the beginning of 2024. 2024 election will be a parliament that reflects the votes of the people.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Don’t you have to play the hand you’re dealt. You can’t just [inaudible] and say you’re happy with some people deciding they want to vote for something else. Ultimately they’re the MPS, isn’t it your job as a leader to bring people together?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Which is what I’ve done.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

What, dissolving the Parliament?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Which what I’ve said, what I’ve said I’ve committed to. It was very clear that we had a majority Liberal government elected, we had two defections, we did our very best to bring that stability. That wasn’t able to be achieved. Clearly when I wanted to strengthen the arrangement with the two independents and to restore stability and certainty to the parliament. What I have said is we will need a new fresh election to restore that certainty and stability and also respect the will of the voters. The will of the voters in 2021 was majority Liberal government and the will of the voters in 2024 of course needs to be reflected and respected. And we need to be mature in our discussions and reflect the will of the people.

Journalist – Matt Denholm

Will Peter Dutton be joining you on the campaign trail?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

I expect so.

Journalist – David Killick

You say won’t do a deal with Greens. Have you on your party reached out yet to potential coalition partners?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

No, no, we won’t be because the election will take its place. And, again, we must reflect and respect the will of the Tasmanian people. You’d expect me to do that. In terms of restoring that certainty and stability to Parliament, but also acting in a mature and demonstrating a mature approach when it comes to reflecting the will of the people that they elect, their 35 members.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

There’s a couple of 100 million in Labour’s energy policies already. Are you concerned about the spending from that? Or are you concerned that voters might have their eyes light up at a potential $400 cut to their power bill?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

Well, what you’ve picked up on correctly is that their $50 million so-called gimmick and plan, it’s actually more like $270 million. So you cannot trust Labor with their costings. The first day of the campaign, first mistake, which is a glaring $220 million deficit. And of course, like all Labor governments, they cannot manage money or budget appropriately and not even the first day of the campaign can they get that right.

What I’m about it’s not about gimmicks. I’m about action, and our 2030 strong plan for Tasmania will deliver not only our renewable energy dividend and the other concessions. Bearing in mind, recognising the cost of living pressures on Tasmanians, we have the lowest regulated power prices in the nation with the highest concessions. Cost of living is still a challenge. And we’ll have more to say, over the course of the coming weeks when it comes to our strong plan for Tasmania’s future with respect to energy.

Journalist – Imogen Elliott

I asked you about this yesterday but are you trying to dodge an appearance at the Commission of Inquiry information committee?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

No, no.

Journalist – Imogen Elliott

When will you, are you willing to front it when you can?

Jeremy Rockliff – Premier

I’ve always been open and available to be in front of any committee and ask many questions. And as demonstrated in question time, last year, receiving probably 90% of the questions. I look forward and embrace the opportunity of ensuring that we’re not only supporting our victim survivors, but also ensuring that we are delivering on our commitment to deliver 191 recommendations and ensuring that we recognise our past failures and need to ensure that the protection and the welfare of our children is the Tasmania’s number one priority.