Pollies in the Playpen

Ever wondered what happens when grown-up politics meets playground squabbles?

Look no further as we take a deep dive into the latest Facebook quips from Tasmania’s political elite.

With talk of ‘hapless’ opponents, ‘disgraceful’ actions, and the ever-present threat of ‘wrecking’ the state, it seems the fight for power is now being fought one post at a time.

With impassioned pleas and fierce rebuttals flooding Facebook, it’s clear that for these politicians, the stakes are high and the online rhetoric is even higher.

Grab your popcorn, because the comments section is heating up!

Michael Ferguson:

The hapless Dean winter is a weak little man! Fancy stopping government. Fancy stopping government employees being paid from 1 July. All because of his selfish power grab we will have an emergency session of Parliament next Tuesday to override his stupidity in order for hardworking Tasmanians to be paid.

Felix Ellis:

Do you want to know what the most disgusting part of today was for me? In what he pulled today, Dean Winter was prepared to risk our police and first responders not getting paid from 1 July. Unforgivable.

Felix Ellis:

We cannot let Wrecker Winter seize power with the Greens. Tasmania must stand strong in the face of this selfish assault. #Tasmania

Jeremy Rockliff:

Good morning everyone, an important update from me. Today, I can confirm that there will be no privatisation under a Government I lead. Saul Eslake has been looking at our government-owned businesses, to see how they can best operate in a modern Tasmania. This week has confirmed that my opponent unfortunately doesn’t have the maturity to even have this conversation. I’m not going to let Mr Eslake, a great Tasmanian, be subject to that. Mr Eslake’s work will cease today. And it will not restart. There will be no privatisation. Nil.

My focus remains on ensuring our nurses, teachers, cops and paramedics are paid from July Then we’ll deal with the wrecker.

Jo Palmer:

I don’t care if you vote Labor, Green, Liberal, Independent, what Dean Winter has done today to our state is a disgrace. We will fight his ego, all he wants is power and he doesn’t care about Tasmanians. You all know Jeremy Rockliff does, always has and always will, til his last breath.

Craig Garland:

Today, I voted in favour of Labor’s motion of a vote of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff. This motion passed the Parliament. While the Liberals have been talking about the risk that this will have to go to another election, this is not guaranteed. Both the Liberal Party and the Labor Party can each avoid an election. The Liberal Party can choose a new leader and test the confidence of Parliament. And the Labor Party can test the confidence of the Parliament if the Liberal Party are unwilling. I am ready to work constructively towards a positive outcome.

If neither party are willing to sustain a minority government and Tasmania is pushed into an early election, then I stand ready as your Independent member for Braddon. Until then, I remain committed to you and the best interests of Tasmania, and serving as your representative.

Madelaine Ogilvie:

Representing the people of Tasmania is my deepest honour. I am deeply saddened by the wrecking perpetrated by Labor members today on our beautiful state.

Michael Ferguson:

Representing the people of Tasmania is my deepest honour. I am deeply saddened by the wrecking perpetrated by Labor members today on our beautiful state.

Guy Barnett:

Labor wants to wreck Tasmania, but we won’t let them.

Simon Behrakis:

Labor wants to wreck Tasmania, but we won’t let them.

Bridget Archer:

I have been appalled at the situation playing out in State Parliament in the past 48 hours, it has been a shameful, selfish and disruptive political game to the detriment of our state. A display of arrogance and political cowardice not befitting of an alternative leader. In stark contrast it has also demonstrated the exemplary character of the man that has been so unfairly targeted. Jeremy Rockliff has demonstrated his leadership credentials in spades.

Loyalty, integrity, compassion and unflinching political courage. We need more like him in political life. He has my deepest respect and support.

Josh Willie:

The Liberals didn’t take privatisation to the last election but they still tried to sell Tasmanian assets. It doesn’t matter what they say, privatisation is in their DNA and they’ll try to do it again. The only way to stop them is to not vote for them.

Michael Ferguson:

Labor and the Greens have teamed once again up to embarrass Tasmania and Tasmanians this week. A vote for Labor will be a vote for cuts and higher taxes. We won’t stand for it! Make them pay. We will fight to keep building a better Tasmania.

Jacqui Lambie:

Whenever the election is called, I know that Andrew will continue to uphold the values of integrity and accountability that he has shown since he was elected. I would particularly like to thank him for his advocacy for the Westbrook family, and for the welfare of the Tasmanian Police. Andrews puts the people of Tasmania first and he always will.” Thanks mate!

Andrew Jenner:

If a state election is called, I will not be running under the Jacqui Lambie Network banner. Jacqui made it clear last year that she will not be endorsing candidates in future elections. Until then, I will continue to represent the Network in Parliament and we will keep fighting for what matters to Tasmania.

Jeremy Rockliff:

Good afternoon everyone, an important update from me. The motion in me has passed, and unfortunately the power grab has begun. My opponent won’t tell you this, but by doing this before we pass the Budget, every nurse, teacher, police officer and public servant risks not being paid after July 1. Some things should be bigger than politics. Much bigger. This is one of them. So over the coming days, we will return to the Parliament and pass an emergency funding bill to ensure that these hardworking Tasmanians can be paid.

That must be our priority. They deserve so much better than this. After that, we’ll get on with showing Dean Winter what Tasmanians think of wreckers.