Tasmania is set to go to the polls for a House of Assembly election after a no-confidence vote in the Premier passed 18-17.

Outgoing Premier Rockliff had warned before today’s session of Parliament that he would seek an election if the motion passed.

“I’ll be damned if I’ll let Labor choose the Leader of the Liberal Party I love,” he said angrily just after the vote with a glare at Labor Leader Dean Winter.

“You might have got me, but they’re coming for you too … you will always be known as a wrecker.”

The decisive vote was cast by Speaker Michelle O’Byrne, who eloquently explained her reasons – as a long-standing Labor member – for voting for the motion.

She also flagged the need to make supply arrangements so that public services can continue as normal when the Parliament is dissolved.

“It is imperative the Parliament resumes so it can consider and approve appropriate Supply bills to fund government services before 1 July, 2025.”

Tasmanian Times understands that the Parliament will sit tomorrow (Friday) morning in an attempt to make these arrangements.

Both major parties are effectively trying to blame each other for the collapse of the Government after just 14 months, making it the second shortest House of Assembly in Tasmania’s history.

Both also appeared to staunchly refuse the possibility of working with other blocs to gain the confidence of the House. Winter had issued a statement before the day’s proceedings, repeating the new mantra-like proposition that Labor would not form government with the Greens.

The Liberals showed no inclination to want to go through the process of negotiating more supply and confidence deals with the crossbench with a new Leader.

By convention the Premier must now report to the Lieutenant Governor that he no longer has a mandate. Rockliff said he would also advise that Winter did not wish to seek the confidence of the House.

The earliest possible election date is Saturday 12 July.

POSS Rolls On

The Project of State Significance process with regard to assessing the planning application for the Macquarie Point stadium will continue. A legal opinion provided to Tasmanian Times confirmed that the Tasmanian Planning Commission had a clear directive from the entire Parliament and the dissolution of the House of Assembly had no effect on that directive.

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