Transcript of media conference with Labor Leader, Rebecca White, Richmond village green, 26 March 2024.
Rebecca White
I’m announcing today that I’m stepping away as the leader of the Labor Party in Tasmania. It’s been an incredible honour and a privilege over the last few years to lead this party and to stand beside my colleagues as we’ve contested the election. I’m very proud of the campaign that we ran this election. But obviously, we didn’t make it and I take responsibility for that.
I’m incredibly proud of the people who have worked beside me not just throughout this campaign but of course, over the years that I have been the leader of the Labor Party. I want to thank them for their support. I want to thank our membership and our movement for their support. I’ve always felt incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to do this job, not just be able to represent my electorate of Lyons. And again, I thank them for their support, but also to be supported by my colleagues, to be able to step up and to take on this responsibility.
There’s a great opportunity for whoever steps forward as the next leader of the Labor Party to really take it up to the government. There’s no doubt that they’ve lost a lot in this election campaign, not just in terms of support across the electorate but I think credibility too. And the Labor Party now has an opportunity to take it up to them and we’re in a good position to win the next election.
I’ll stay on in Parliament supporting my colleagues, and I’ll provide support to whoever the next leader of the Labor Party is and work beside them to make sure that we can bring about the change that I know Tasmania deserves: to have a Labor government elected. I’ll do everything I can to support that outcome.
Journalist – unidentified
What are the highlights of your time as Opposition Leader?
Rebecca White
Oh, my gosh, there’s been a lot of highs and lows in this job. And we’ve been through a lot together as a team. I was probably remiss in not thanking my staff, in acknowledging some of the great people that I’ve had the pleasure to work with; I am so lucky to be surrounded by incredibly decent, hard-working people who make this job a real joy.
Some of the highlights for me in particular, would be the last couple of years. And they work with [inaudible] as a movement to rebuild our organisation, to reform the governance, to really set the party up for the next decades to come.
The Tasmanian Labor Party is 120 years old, soon to be 121 years old. It’s a very old organisation, very deep roots in this community. And I do fundamentally believe that Tasmanians do better under a Labor government. And I think the work that we’ve done over the last couple of years is something I’m incredibly proud of, because it gives us the best chance to form government in the future and be a very good government for Tasmanians.
Journalist – Elliott
Is this a decision that you made or that others made for you?
Rebecca White
I made this decision. I don’t think it should come as a surprise to anybody that after contesting three elections as the Leader of the Labor Party, that my time is up, I’ve done the best that I could possibly do. And I’m really proud of the work that we’ve achieved together.
But I also think it’s time for a change and time for renewal of the leadership of the Labor Party. There’s an enormous amount of work in front of us, and I stand ready to support whoever the next Leader is to do that work. But it is time for somebody else to take on that opportunity.
Journalist – Elliott
With that in mind, was coming back as Leader three years ago still the right call?
Rebecca White
When I returned to the leadership, three years ago, it was a big decision for me. I’d just stepped away, I’d just had a baby, and in fact Hudson was just less than a week old when I was asked to return as the Leader. And it certainly wasn’t something that I contemplated at that time.
But I am incredibly loyal to this party and to my team. I also had a lot of support to step back and take on that job. And it is a job that I feel really proud that I’ve been able to do for those additional years as the Leader of the Labor Party. And I do think that we did a lot of good work together. I don’t regret that.
I have time now to spend with my kids and it’s Easter coming up and I’m looking forward to spending a lot of time with them in the coming weekend and eating too much chocolate and just having a lot of fun together.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Bryan Green and Terry Aulich both called you the best Premier that Tasmania never had. In your opinion, what held you and the Labor Party back from from you becoming Premier while you were in charge of the Labor Party?
Rebecca White
Well, other people will probably be able to analyse that better than I. I think I’m too close to it. I felt like we gave it a really good shot this election. Obviously, we didn’t do well enough. And whilst we’re a little bit closer, it’s not close enough.
I would have loved to have been the Premier of this state. I’m incredibly proud of us as a people and a place and it would have given me enormous satisfaction to be able to deliver on our agenda and to help Tasmanians who I think at the moment aren’t being properly supported by the government. And I am sad about that, because I think that we could have achieved a lot for our state if we had have been successful this election. But I’ll stand beside whoever the next leader is and support them. And I hope that they become Premier and that we do have a Labor government.
Journalist – Duncan
Who would you support as the next Leader?
Rebecca White
I’m not going to provide my support publicly to anybody because I think that this is a moment for me to share my news but also for my team to think about what’s best for them next. I stand ready to support whoever steps forward.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
After a really messy 2021 campaign it seemed like the party united during the campaign in the last year or two. Do you think it’d be a shame if some of that factional infighting spilled over in the next couple of weeks going forward?
Rebecca White
We have worked really hard over the last couple of years to rebuild the party. And I think that particularly this campaign, Tasmanians saw that when Labor is disciplined, and we talk about the things they care the most about, we represent them best. And I hope that the work that we’ve achieved over the last couple of years can continue to be built on as a strong foundation.
The next couple of weeks will be really important for my colleagues and I as we think about what the next steps are. But I am pleased so far that everyone’s been very respectful and I hope that continues. As a party we’ve matured a lot in the last couple of years and I am confident that we’ll be able to take the next step forward and be united.
Journalist – Elliott
A staff member of yours posted a thread on Twitter last night fairly critical of the way you’ve been treated by the party backroom in terms of how Sunday played out. Do you have any bad blood about that?
Rebecca White
No, I don’t. I mean, in first place I’d say I love my staff. And I think that what you see there is just a demonstration of the friendships that we share together, as well as the work that we do professionally together. And I understand that people are upset. This is not just a change for me as a leader stepping away, but it’s a massive change for them, too. We’ve worked together as a team. So this is a big shift for people who’ve been working for me in the Leader’s Office.
The decisions that have been taken over the last couple of days, but most importantly this one, is my decision. This is my decision to make. And I’m proud of the work we’ve done. And I’m happy to stand before the Tasmanian people to say thank you to them. But it’s time for me to move on. I think that from the result we saw on Saturday night, and then more information that came to light on Saturday became evident that we weren’t in a position to form government. And of course, the organisation is always going to have a say over those matters as well because as a party, we’re a big movement. And collectively we make decisions together. That was just a reflection of of the numbers really, Sunday’s conversation.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Did you get rolled by the party at some point between your speech on Saturday night and your comments on Sunday? They seemed – I know you’ve explained that it was because the numbers changed, but did you get rolled by them at any point in the change of language?
Rebecca White
No, I think the thing I’d like to say is that, particularly since coming to the leadership in 2021, I’ve felt incredibly supported. But I’ve also come back at a time when people needed me to. And I’ve had the ability to, I suppose, have a lot more authority over the direction that we took, and at no point have I ever felt that’s been unable to be used wisely. So I think the events of the last couple of days are simply a reflection of the numbers. What I said on Saturday night, I meant I meant every word of it.
I’m incredibly grateful and thankful to everybody who prepare support in Labor. But I’m also aware that this parliament is going to look like no other we’ve ever had. And if we’d had the opportunity to form government, we should have explored that. But the figures that came through on Sunday after more votes had been counted, illustrated very clearly that wasn’t possible for us. And that’s what we spoke about on Sunday.
What role would you accept in the Labor opposition going forward? Is politics your long-term future? Will you see out the term?
Well, I’ve been clear about that too. I’m very grateful to the people of Lyons who’ve put their confidence in me once again and I’m committed to this job. I’m looking forward to being a good local member and being more present in my electorate, and supporting whoever the Leader is. And I’ll play whatever role they ask of me in that in that team.
Tasmanian Times
Just on that, you would accept a shadow ministry if the new Leader offered you one?
Rebecca White
If the new Leader of the Labor Party asks me to do a job for them, I’ll step up and support them in whatever capacity they ask me to do.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
There’s been speculation you’d be a good federal member for Lyons. Is federal parliament something you’d look at?
Rebecca White
It’s not been something I’ve ever considered. My focus has always been here locally; my kids are only young, at the local school. At this point in time, my future is in Tasmania.
Journalist – Elliott
As you pointed out on Saturday, minority governments are appearing more and more likely in the future. Do you think the Labor Party is currently in a position where they accept that?
Rebecca White
Well, those were my views that I shared on Saturday night. But I do believe that this parliament is is going to be incredibly challenging, but it is also a reflection of the way people are voting and that’s likely to happen more.
But having said that, I think it’s also noteworthy that the Labor Party is well place to contest the next election and to win. The Liberal Party lost 12% of their primary vote, and they are going to struggle to win this election and form government.
Whilst Jeremy Rockliff has been making very bold declarations as early as Saturday night claiming victory, he still hasn’t been able to explain to Tasmanians, how he can bring enough people together to form the magic number of 18. And I think it’s going to take a number of weeks before he can clearly explain to people whose support he needs to rely upon, for him to be able to head back into the parliament.
I think that this parliament is going to be incredibly unique, I hope and I always will campaign for Labor to win majority government. And I know that this opportunity is really on, really rich for us now. If you think about the state of affairs currently in Tasmania, there are lots of things where people feel terribly let down. There’s certainly been a move for change expressed in the votes that have been recorded this election. The opportunity for us to build from here, build momentum, and share with Tasmanians our view that the Labor Party is ready to form the next government.
Journalist – Elliott
[inaudible] woman in a leadership role was [inaudible]
Rebecca White
The Labor Party has always been very good at promoting opportunities for women. And I feel very grateful to the women who’ve come before me that’s enabled me to step forward to be the Leader, in the time that I’ve been the Leader.
There are great women in the parliament. Not all the votes have been counted. And I look forward to seeing who else might be successfully elected, whether that’s from the Labor Party or from from other stripes. But I think it is important for anyone to consider about who they have around the table when they’re making decisions in the future. You need to have representation across the diversity of our community when you are doing those things, otherwise you leave people behind. And I think the Labor Party’s demonstrated best out of all the political parties that it always promote opportunities for women. And I hope that continues.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Would you like to see who should be the next Leader of the party settled behind closed doors? Or would a ballot be healthy for the party in your opinion?
Rebecca White
Look it’s too soon to know what’s going to happen there. And I’m not going to judge that, it’s a matter for the candidates and the Caucus.
Journalist – Elliott
[inaudible – gist was about would RW stepping aside pave the way for new leader to make a deal with the Greens]
Rebecca White
No, it doesn’t at all. I’ve been very clear throughout this campaign. And that’s not just been my view, it’s been the view of our whole team, that the Labor Party was campaigning to form majority government, we’re asking for the endorsement of the community. To do that, we fell short.
I’d also been very clear that we wouldn’t do deals with the Greens or minor parties or independents. Me stepping aside today as the Leader doesn’t mean that somebody else is about to step up who’s going to have a different approach or take the party in a different direction. We remain united as a group, in our view regarding that.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Can I just ask you about the campaign. The AMWU and HACSU have both come out reasonably critical of it in the last couple of days. Do you stand by the campaign that you run?
Rebecca White
I do. I’m really proud of the campaign we ran. We demonstrated discipline as a party. But most importantly, we focused on the right priorities for Tasmania. It was about listening to people around their concerns to do with cost of living and talking about how we’d start to repair our health system, putting a roof over more heads across Tasmania, people who are struggling to access appropriate housing.
I think that our campaign was driven from our values around fairness, social justice and equality, and fundamentally looking after people. It’s something I’m incredibly proud of. And I think that everybody who’s been involved with this campaign should also feel equally proud. We did a good job. It wasn’t enough. But we should be able to hold our heads up high. And say that from here, we continue to build.
Journalist – Duncan
The Liberal Campaign Director Brad Stansfield was saying that if Labor had campaigned more strongly opposing the stadium, they would have been in government. What do you say to that?
Rebecca White
I don’t take advice from Brad Stansfield at the best of times, and I’m not about to start now.
Journalist – Elliott
Do you stand by Labor’s stadium position? That it was strong enough. That’s the implication there, that still people were confused.
Rebecca White
I’ve been as clear as I could possibly be. It’s been the position for two years regarding the stadium that we didn’t think it was the right priority for Tasmanians. We didn’t think it was the right priority for the state government. I don’t believe it can be built at that site. Certainly not for the amount of money the Premier’s talking about, and certainly not the timeline that he’s agreed with the AFL he can deliver it by. I’m unclear as to why that wasn’t more widely understood, if there was confusion about that. I’m sure this will be something that gets assessed in the review of this election result.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Do you think Labor could change its position to be more pro stadium under a new Leader?
Rebecca White
Look, that’s a conversation that will need to be happening between the new Caucus. I’m not going to preempt any policy decisions that are going to be made by a new Caucus that hasn’t even been convened yet. We don’t know who might be yet elected and I’m hopeful we still might pick up a couple of seats to enlarge our Caucus. I’m not here today to make comment on policy that might be a decision for a future caucus, that would be completely inappropriate.
Journalist – Elliott
You talked about taking responsibility for the election results. What does that mean? Does it personally feel hard too?
Rebecca White
Look, the weekend was a lot of highs and lows. I must admit, being quite sad about the fact that we were not as successful as I’d hoped. Obviously, we were campaigning to win government and we didn’t get there. I was also sad about the fact there are lots of good policies that we took to this election that won’t be implemented under a Liberal regime. And I think that’s really disappointing on behalf of Tasmanians who are hopeful that they might see some changes there. But I do take responsibility as the leader that took us to the selection, it is my job to do that. I’m proud of the work that we did, but we fell short. And that’s why I’m stepping down.
Journalist – Elliott
What’s your advice to everybody who’s entering the House of Assembly for the first time?
Rebecca White
Anybody coming into the house of Assembly for the first time is probably going to find it quite a surprising place to work. It is unlike anywhere else. And I remember when I was first elected, that I found it to be incredibly loud in there at times. The chamber is only small, and you can feel like you are very close to somebody opposite you who’s being incredibly critical of you. And it’s incredibly surreal.
I would suggest if there are newcomers to the Parliament, this time around, that they buddy out with somebody else who can provide them with support and mentorship. It’s always important – I think that’s something I’ve learned very much over the last period of time, particularly as the leader – that it’s so important to surround yourself with other people who can share their experience and their different perspectives, and help you and guide you. Because you should never feel like you have to do it alone. And my advice to any new candidates is that they should surround themselves with other good people who can help them.
Journalist – unidentified
[inaudible]
Rebecca White
Absolutely. Yes, I can’t wait to offer my full support to the next Leader of the Labor Party. It’s such a privilege to do this job. And the experience that I’ve gained over the last seven years, I will bring that to support whoever is the next Leader of the Labor Party. I want them to be successful, I want our party to be successful. I want us to win government at the next election. So I will do everything I can to support that outcome.
Journalist – Elliott
Do all members of the party know about this decision and [inaudible]?
Rebecca White
Yes, most of them. We had a conversation yesterday, we had a big meeting and we had a bit of a lunch together. So most people that I needed to share this news with I shared it with yesterday. And then I’ve had a conversation with everybody else who wasn’t able to be there throughout the course of today.
I’m really grateful for the support that I’ve received from my colleagues. We’ve got a great group of people, we work really well together. And it’s been a real pleasure to be able to lead such a talented group of people. Again, it just makes me feel a little sad that they won’t get to be the next government and they won’t get to be the ministers in a Labor C. But I’m hopeful that will change after the next election.
Tasmanian Times
So roughly What’s the timeline on the new Leader? When would we know who the new Tasmanian Labor Leader is?
Rebecca White
I don’t know.
Journalist – Elliott
[inaudible]
Rebecca White
I didn’t mention Anita and I probably should have. I’ve certainly written in my statement about my support for Anita and my thanks to her for the support that she’s shown me. Anita Dow is a remarkably intelligent, strong, capable woman. She was the first Labor woman to be elected to the seat of Braddon. And I think that’s important to note that she has achieved many firsts and broken through many glass ceilings, and done it quietly. And a lot of people don’t give her the credit that she deserves. She has my full support whatever she chooses to do next, because I think she’s one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever worked with.
Journalist – unidentified
What was your family’s reaction when you told them you were standing down as Leader?
Rebecca White
Well, I have promised Mia all week, actually. She was giving me a hard time last week in the lead up to the election campaign, that I wasn’t around very much and demanded that this week I’d be home all the time, and just basically dedicate myself to her. So my seven-year-old’s reaction has been very positive, she’s very happy with the news. I think my two-year-old probably feels the same way.
But more broadly, my family, my husband, you know, there’s been a lot of sacrifices made over the last seven years. My children know no different than me working a lot. And it’s going to be nice to be more present in their lives as they continue to grow. There’s no doubt that my family more broadly, have been incredibly supportive. And as I said on election night, they’ve stood beside me, but they’ve also helped me up at times when I’ve needed that support. And that’s so true. And I couldn’t have done it without them.
