Both the Tasmanian Greens and independent MHA Kristie Johnston have publicly declared their lack of confidence in both major political parties.
In a media release today, Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff MHA stated the party would not support a no-confidence motion against the Liberals or a confidence motion in Labor, citing Labor’s refusal to compromise on key policy issues like healthcare, housing, and environmental protection. Woodruff noted that while the Liberals have shown some willingness to negotiate, they must follow through on their commitments to maintain a stable parliament.
Similarly, in an open letter to Tasmanians, Kristie Johnston MHA explained that she would not vote to express confidence in the Labor Party, highlighting their “doubling down” on policies that led to their poor election result. While she also does not fully trust the Liberals, Johnston acknowledged a “notable change in behavior and a willingness to listen and make compromises” from the Liberal party since the election. Both MPs emphasised their commitment to working collaboratively from the crossbench to ensure a stable, functional parliament and hold the government accountable.
In a separate statement, the Labor Leader Dean Winter MHA condemned what he called a “craven” Liberal-Green alliance, accusing the Premier of selling out traditional industries in a desperate bid to cling to power.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 18 August 2025
Greens Have No Confidence in Liberals or Labor
Since the election on 19 July, the Greens have done everything possible to work across the parliament to realise the change we told Tasmanians we’d fight for.
Over the last two weeks, we met with Labor multiple times and had many phone conversations about possible policy compromises and outcomes. We made it clear from the outset, and repeatedly after, that the Greens expected some movement on the issues we campaigned on.
We know business as usual is failing this state, yet Labor refused to move. Dean Winter has shown no capacity or intention to negotiate in serious good faith with the Greens, or to make policy compromises.
Over the last five days, there have been several formal and informal conversations and letter exchanges between the Greens and other crossbench MPs, with Winter and other members of the Labor caucus.
Labor’s final position on their policies was communicated by letter last night. They confirmed in writing their refusal to consider policy compromise on the key issues the Greens were elected to fight for – to stop the stadium and prioritise spending on health and housing, and to protect the marine environment and our forests.
In contrast, over the last week the Liberals have announced some significant policy shifts – on greyhound racing, salmon farming and on native forests. Jeremy Rockliff appears to understand the minority parliament dynamic he finds himself in – and the need for compromise. Dean Winter has not.
That said, announcements won’t be enough. The Liberals need to act on all three policy announcements they’ve made as soon as possible if they want to maintain a stable parliament. The Greens will hold them to their commitments from day one.
We want to make the Greens’ position clear to all Tasmanians ahead of Parliament tomorrow. We do not have confidence in the Liberals, but neither can we have confidence in Winter’s Labor.
The Greens cannot support the motion Winter has foreshadowed – a motion of no confidence in Rockliff, and of confidence in himself to lead a Labor government.
The Greens will continue to work collaboratively from the crossbench to maintain a stable and functional minority parliament. We won’t stop holding the government to account. We will keep putting forward real legislative changes, seeking to find opportunities to work across the parliament – and fighting for this island and its people.
Media release – Kristie Johnston MP, independent Member for Clark, 18 August 2025
An Open Letter to Tasmanians
The recent election delivered a power sharing parliament. No single party has the numbers to govern outright. That means the balance of power sits with the crossbench, and every decision we make has real consequences for the future of Tasmania.
Tomorrow I will be asked to vote on a motion expressing no confidence in Jeremy Rockliff as Premier, and at the same time, express confidence in Dean Winter as Premier.
What has become abundantly clear is that Tasmanians have little trust or confidence in either of the major parties and their leaders. I feel the same. Trust and confidence in both have been eroded significantly over the last few years and it will take a long time to earn it back.
Immediately following the election, I asked both leaders to take time to reflect on the outcome of the election, their conduct during the last term of parliament, and on what the Tasmanian people wanted to see from a power-sharing parliament.
I have listened carefully and observed their actions since then. I’ve also talked extensively with my community about their expectations.
The Labor Party, who require the most support to form government, has doubled down on their behaviours and policies that led to their worst election result in over a century.
Their expressions of willingness to be more collaborative rings hollow when, in the moments that matter most, they consistently say they are not prepared to compromise on their values. They have not demonstrated a preparedness to govern in a power-sharing parliament.
Based on this, I cannot, in good conscience, actively express my confidence in the Labor Party.
This does not mean that I express confidence or trust in the Liberal Government either.
I, like many Tasmanians, have been let down and disappointed by their actions previously. However, since the election there has been a notable change in behaviour and a willingness to listen and make compromises from the Liberal Party.
My vote tomorrow should not be taken as an endorsement or an expression of confidence in the Liberal Government – they are on notice, not just with me, but with the Tasmanian community.
Both a Liberal Government and a Labor Opposition should use the opportunity presented by this parliament to build trust and confidence with the community – this is the change Tasmanians want.
My independence is not, and will never be, for sale. I will continue to vote for every issue on its merits, guided by my community and my conscience.
Yours sincerely,
Kristie Johnston MP
Media release – Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader, 18 August 2025
The birth of a Liberal-Green alliance
Tasmania has witnessed the birth of a Liberal-Green Government.
The Liberals sold out traditional industries to get the support of the Green Independents. But they offered so much, they got the Greens as well.
It was a craven, desperate bid to retain power, and it worked.
Jeremy Rockliff has proven he will sell out any Tasmanian job to save his own.
The Greens had a choice to make. They have chosen to support the Liberals.
This means they are abandoning their progressive voters, and abandoning a host of progressive policies that will never be delivered if a conservative Liberal Rockliff-Abetz government stays power.
I said I would not do a deal with the Greens and I said I would not abandon workers. I kept true to my word while Jeremy Rockliff did a deal with the enemy of working people.
This is a deal we will never let him get away with.
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