Read Part 1 here: Parliaments are Made to Share Power
Can Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff deliver a stable government?
His website screams: “Here’s the truth: we can’t finish the job without a majority Liberal Government.”
Well, whatever he was trying to finish, might not get finished. No party has secured a majority. The Liberals are likely be only 14 of 35 elected Members in the House of Assembly. And we should be thankful. Because majority government stifles debate, transparency and can undermine democracy.
I hear the cries, but what about stability?
Hopefully, we’re not considering the Liberals’ “Stability Clause”, tucked away in their so-called 2030 Strong Plan? “Restoring “stability, certainty and integrity in the Tasmanian Parliament?” It’s not new, it also featured in their 2024 100 Day Plan.
But it’s a significant and concerning proposal which should be discussed.
The “Stability Clause” would allow the Government to force any MP who resigns from their party to automatically forfeit their seat. They would be replaced by someone from the same party in a recount — regardless of why they left or what their community thinks.
This is a direct attack on democratic representation, especially under Tasmania’s Hare-Clark system, where voters elect individuals, not parties.
Why are the Liberals wanting to introduce this change? It is a reaction to what happened in the last two Liberal governments. In 2023, John Tucker and Lara Alexander left the Liberal Party objecting over to the wasteful and unapproved spend on the stadium. In 2024, Miriam Berwick and Rebekah Pentland were punted from the JLN and became independents. Jeremy Rockliff says these MPs “stole” the election result.
That’s a dangerous statement. These MPs didn’t steal anything — they voted with their conscience, against a party or agreement when that party broke promises or failed their communities. That should continue.
So what would be at stake?
MPs who challenge their party’s policies risk being thrown out of parliament. Any public dissent could be silenced and leaders threaten to expel MPs just to trigger a replacement. Effectively it’s a message to MPs: stay in line, or you’re out.
It would also allow a party to remove MPs who vote contrary to the party’s position. Even if it is only by a “Super Majority” – 75%, it’s still staggering.
Yes, voters care about party platforms. But Hare-Clark lets voters pick the person, not just the logo. That’s why candidates’ names are in big letters — and parties in small ones.
We don’t elect a party machine; we elect real people to represent us. People who might grow, disagree, and stand up for their communities.
The idea that someone who questions their party should be forced out especially when conscience is involved — is not just authoritarian, it’s anti-democratic. Tasmanian Liberals rarely allow conscience votes. Party discipline is tightly enforced.
But this is going further: it is forcing Liberal policy onto all parties. Under this proposed legislation, even speaking out could risk expulsion and automatic removal from Parliament.
New Zealand tried this. It failed. Its “waka-jumping” law was widely condemned for gagging MPs and undermining democracy. Their government is still debating the law and have been close to having it repealed. Tasmania shouldn’t copy it.
But let’s be clear. What’s being proposed is not stability. It’s control.
No party or parliament should have the power to decide who sits in the Upper and Lower Houses — only the people should.
Christine Bayley is a Tasmanian community advocate and spokesperson with People Before Major Parties – Tasmania and Save Rosny Parks. She is dedicated to empowering locals and raising community voices.
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