In the last eight days, the Rockliff Government’s credibility came under sustained attack following two documented instances of broken promises.
First, the government promised crossbench consultation on salmon industry inquiry terms of reference, then published them with only “last minute notice,” prompting accusations of “ambush” from Peter George and Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. The government was forced to backdown within 48 hours. Second, while Education Minister Jo Palmer publicly called for unions to return to negotiations, it was revealed the Department of Premier and Cabinet had already cancelled the scheduled meetings.
These documented breaches of trust occurred against a backdrop of broader allegations – including claims the Premier broke written commitments to both the salmon and greyhound industries to secure crossbench support for his minority government. While those earlier alleged deals aren’t directly documented in these releases, they provided context for why the crossbench and opposition responded so forcefully to the October consultation failures. This collection of 15 media releases, arranged in reverse chronological order, shows how eight days of broken promises on consultation and negotiation created a credibility crisis that now defines the government’s relationship with both its crossbench partners and its workforce.
Media release – Janie Finlay MHA, Deputy Labor Leader, 31 October 2025
Who’s really in charge – the protest parties or Jeremy Rockliff?
It’s now clear who’s calling the shots in the Liberal-Green Government – and it’s not Jeremy Rockliff.
When the protest parties didn’t like the terms of reference for the politically motivated review into the salmon industry, Rosalie Woodruff went straight to the Premier and he rolled over.
When the protest parties say “jump”, Jeremy Rockliff asks, “how high?”
The Premier has once again proven he’s too weak to stand up for Tasmanian workers and regional communities, instead bowing to pressure from the protest parties.
Every industry in Tasmania should be deeply concerned. Who’s going to be next?
Jeremy Rockliff has shown he can’t stand up to them. He’s too busy trying to keep his shaky deal with the protest parties alive to stand up for Tasmanians who depend on our industries and regional jobs.
Labor will always back Tasmanian workers, families, and the industries that keep our regional communities strong.
Media release – Janie Finlay MHA, Deputy Labor Leader, 31 October 2025
Liberal-Green Government snubs salmon industry on China trade mission
Former Treasurer Guy Barnett’s media release about Tasmanian seafood exports deliberately failed to mention salmon – despite the industry having a major presence at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo this week.
Tasmania’s salmon industry is one of our greatest export success stories, sending more than $200 million worth of premium salmon to China in the 12 months to August 2025.
But you wouldn’t know it from reading the Liberal-Green Government’s media release.
The Liberals are so worried about keeping the Greens and Peter George happy that they’ve airbrushed salmon out of their announcements, even at one of the world’s biggest seafood trade shows.
It’s more proof that the Liberal-Green Government has sold out the salmon industry to appease the Greens and Peter George. Once again, Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberals are putting politics ahead of over Tasmanian jobs, workers and regional communities.
Tasmania deserves a government that stands up for its industries – not one that hides them to cling to power.
Who will Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberals sell-out next to keep the Greens and Peter George happy?
Media release – Gavin Pearce MHA, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, 30 October 2025
Salmon study terms
Following feedback from interested stakeholders, the Tasmanian Government has made an alteration to the Terms of Reference for the independent salmon industry study.
The Terms will allow for recommendations to be made at the end of the study, along with findings and observations that support the study’s objectives.
The independent study will also allow the opportunity for community consultation.
The Government’s rationale for the study remains the same: To focus on transparency, science and best practice, so that we can protect our environment, strengthen public confidence and provide investment certainty for the industry’s future.
Media statement – Michael Gaffney MLC, independent Member for Mersey, 31 October 2025
Michael Gaffney’s statement on updated salmon industry inquiry Terms of Reference
“I welcome the updated terms of reference for the salmon industry inquiry whilst sharing the frustration of other independent members with the original scope of the inquiry.
“The off-label use of florfenicol as a knee-jerk response to the explosion of an endemic disease in the salmon industry is exactly why we need the inquiry. There must be absolute transparency in what is an increasingly intensive industry that sells itself on the back of the pristine Tasmanian environment.
“It’s an essential part of the study that Tasmanian community stakeholders can openly share their evidence and advice without have to go through a gatekeeping process, and that the evidence-based recommendations from the study will be acted on and not just left on the shelf to be ignored and gather dust.
‘The salmon inquiry can hopefully answer what a truly sustainable Tasmanian salmon industry will look like – one that supports both the environment and local jobs – regardless of industry interests and political influence.”
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader, 30 October 2025
Response to Salmon TOR Update
The Greens welcome the Rockliff Government’s decision to change the Terms of Reference for their study of the salmon industry to ensure recommendations are made.
Given we have engaged in this process constructively and in good faith, it was disappointing to see the way these Terms of Reference were released earlier in the week. We had been promised further consultation, but instead the Terms were published with only last-minute notice. And they didn’t address the most important concerns of the crossbench.
Following the Terms of Reference being published, I immediately took the matter up with the Premier. I was glad to have the opportunity to directly explain to him why what had been released was not good enough and followed up with formal correspondence outlining the changes the Greens viewed as necessary.
While there are still a range of other issues with the study that have not been addressed, we are glad the government has at least agreed to the bare minimum – that this process will result in recommendations being made. We are also pleased they’ve confirmed there is an expectation for an open submission process for the public.
It’s good to see the Rockliff Government haven’t just stuck to what they released early in the week and have listened to some of our concerns. In future we are hopeful these matters can be resolved earlier and that commitments to consultation are kept.
Media Release -Peter George MHA, independent for Franklin, 30 October 2025
Government backs down on salmon inquiry
Independent MP for Franklin, Peter George, acknowledges the government’s backdown on the Terms of Reference for the inquiry into the salmon industry in Tasmania.
I welcome the government’s decision acknowledging that any useful inquiry into the salmon industry in Tasmania must include final recommendations.
This was always a non-negotiable condition of the inquiry from the crossbench without which an inquiry would have no useful purpose and would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.
The government should also accept that public consultations must be part of the process.
This week’s decision to blindside the crossbench with so-called “final” Terms of Reference without notice and while in the middle of discussions with the Premier’s officials was clearly a mistake.
As I wrote to the Premier: “Your decision to ambush the crossbench by releasing the so-called “final” draft Terms of Reference for the salmon inquiry — without warning, consultation, or even the courtesy of completing ongoing discussions with your departmental officials — demonstrates a profound lack of respect and good faith.
This outcome is contrary to both the spirit and the letter of our understanding.”
The crossbench will remain cautious as we further negotiate the terms of reference.
The government’s track record of commissioning inquiries, reports and public consultations at great expense and then ignoring their recommendations is notorious, the recommendations of the Planning Commission’s inquiry into the Mac point stadium is merely the latest example
Media release – Janie Finlay MHA, Deputy Labor Leader, 30 October 2025
Another dodgy Liberal-Green deal
Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberals have made another backroom deal to appease the Greens and Peter George, this time to change the terms of reference for its politically motivated salmon review.
The so-called “independent” review has never been about sustainability – it’s all about politics. It’s only about Jeremy Rockliff doing whatever it takes to stay in power, no matter the cost to Tasmanian workers and regional communities.
The Premier’s shifty backroom behaviour shows just how desperate he is to keep his deal with the Greens alive, and it’s more proof that Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberal-Green Government can’t be trusted.
Tasmanians deserve better than a government that cuts secret deals to stay in power. Labor will always stand up for Tasmanian workers, families and the industries that keep our regional communities strong.
Every industry in Tasmania is on notice. Who will Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberals sell-out the next time they need to keep the Greens and Peter George happy?
Media release – Ella Haddad MHA, Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations, 30 October 2025
Negotiating lies show why Liberal-Green Government can’t be trusted
Concerning revelations that the Rockliff Liberal-Green Government cancelled negotiations with unions fighting for fair pay while simultaneously calling for them to come to the table through the media shows exactly why they can’t be trusted.
While Minister Palmer was telling media that the unions should return to the negotiating table in good faith, it turns out the Department of Premier and Cabinet had cancelled the meetings she wanted them at.
Jeremy Rockliff has already sold out workers once this year to form Government with the support of the Greens.
He showed that his word wasn’t worth the paper it’s written on, and now his Ministers are following suit.
The only job he cares about is his own, and he can’t be trusted to stand up for Tasmanian workers fighting for fair conditions.
Unlike this Liberal-Green Government, supporting workers and strong public services is in Labor’s DNA. We will continue to back in the hard-working people who deliver the services Tasmanians rely on in their fight for fair and safe working conditions.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader, 28 October 2025
Salmon TOR Must Be Withdrawn
If Premier Jeremy Rockliff is serious about his commitment to collaborative and honest government, he needs to intervene to have the Terms of Reference for the so-called ‘review’ of the salmon industry withdrawn and rewritten.
When the Premier first announced his plan to take a look at the salmon industry, the Greens and other crossbenchers chose to engage constructively on how this process should work. Given this good faith approach, and being promised we would see a further draft of the Terms of Reference before they were finalised and published, we were surprised to receive last minute notice of their release yesterday.
Releasing Terms of Reference contrary to commitments made, and without taking on board the major concerns of the crossbench is unacceptable. It feels like the government is treating us, and the communities we represent, with contempt.
When Jeremy Rockliff said he was putting the industry ‘on notice’, there was a clear community expectation about what this meant. Tasmanians rightly thought a review into the fish farm industry would be a proper look at what is happening in our waterways, and what needs to be done to prevent another summer disaster.
What’s been released by the government doesn’t deliver on community expectations. Instead, it looks designed to give cover to an industry that only cares about profit and a government that still seems determined to protect that industry.
If the Premier wants to live up to the promises he made for this Parliament, we urge him to intervene. These Terms of Reference should be withdrawn and rewritten to deliver a proper review of the salmon industry – including public consultation and recommendations.
After the devastation of last summer, a huge number of Tasmanians voted to reign in the salmon industry. On behalf of the coastal communities the Greens represent, we will continue taking the matter up with the Premier.
Media release – Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF), 28 October 2025
Rockliff’s Terms of Reference a Bad Joke
Neighbours of Fish Farming (NOFF) completely reject the Terms of Reference for the Government’s “enquiry into the salmon farming industry.”
The Tasmanian Government has shocked and angered community groups with its Terms of Reference for the promised salmon study.
Prohibited from making recommendations for the Government or industry, the study is a waste of time and tax payers’ money.
The lack of any attempt to remedy the many urgent problems will cause greater community alarm, and protest. This proposed study fails to reflect overseas best practice, which is to remove the industry pens from sheltered and shallow waterways. It will fail to save Tasmania’s critically-endangered red handfish from extinction.
“This thoroughly inadequate and offensive proposal is simply more time and money wasted by the Rockliff government while communities await the next predictable disaster to unfold.
“it’s time for action and radical changes to the management of Tasmanian waterways”.
Media release – Environment Tasmania, Jess Coughlan, Save the Skate campaigner, 28 October 2025
ET addressed the elephant in the room on Salmon study Terms of Reference
The Tasmanian government has released the Terms of Reference for the upcoming salmon industry study and while Environment Tasmania welcomes the process, the Terms of Study fall well short of expectations.
Despite 13 years of unfolding disasters in Macquarie Harbour resulting in an impending extinction event, there is no spotlight in the terms of reference on Tasmania’s West Coast salmon farming region, and no mention of the Maugean Skate, slated by scientists to be the “Thylacine of the Sea” and “One weather event away from extinction”
At a time when what we absolutely need are recommendations for improvement, particularly with regard to Maugean Skate’s survival, the Tasmanian government has set a low bar for expectations by outright setting the terms of the study to overlook publication of recommendations.
“This is but another example of the fox guarding the hen house. There can be no mistaking that the independence of this study into the salmon industry has already been underwritten by a guiding hand, calling for no recommendations, but simply findings.” Says Jess Coughlan, save the skate campaigner at Environment Tasmania
“This is a report that will be written to gather dust. Such a wasted opportunity when we could be seeing real change led by a government that continues to make claims of sustainability. If the study is to have any substance at all, there must be independent recommendations for improvement, and a clear and world-leading uptake of conservation advice for the skate.”
Media release – Janie Finlay MHA, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries & Aquaculture, 28 October 2025
Rockliff needs to come clean on dodgy salmon deal
Jeremy Rockliff needs to come clean about the dodgy salmon deal he cooked up with Peter George and the Greens before selling out Tasmanian workers to form government.
What discussions and promises did the Premier make to the Greens and Green Independents before they voted for him to continue as Premier?
After he sold out workers to get into bed with the Greens, how can anyone trust a word he says?
Tasmania’s economy is shrinking, and the Liberal-Government – propped up by the Greens – is more interested in undermining workers and industry than growing jobs and opportunities.
Tasmania’s salmon industry is one of our greatest success stories, supports thousands of jobs and hundreds of local businesses across regional communities. It should be celebrated and supported, not used as a political pawn by Jeremy Rockliff’s Liberal-Green Government.
Jeremy Rockliff has once again shown why he can’t be trusted.
Unlike the Rockliff Liberal-Green Government, Labor will always back Tasmanian workers, families, and the industries that keep our regional communities strong.
Media release – Ella Haddad MHA, Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations, 28 October 2025
Rockliff is losing his workforce because he refuses to listen
This week’s stop-work action across the public service shows Jeremy Rockliff is losing his workforce because he refuses to listen to and respect them.
For Tasmania’s teachers, health workers, and other public sector workers, this isn’t just about pay – it’s about conditions, workloads, and respect.
Supporting workers and strong public services is in Labor’s DNA, and we’ll continue to back in the hard-working people who deliver the services Tasmanians rely on in their fight for fair and safe working conditions.
Tasmanian public sector workers are exhausted, they’re under pressure, and they’re frustrated that their concerns are being ignored by government. Instead of sitting down with them, the Premier keeps issuing media release ultimatums, trying to bully his workforce into backing down.
If Jeremy Rockliff was serious about negotiating in good faith and fixing the problem, he’d meet directly with the workers keeping our schools running and staffing our hospitals – not talk at them through the media.
The truth is, the Premier is losing his workforce at the same time he’s about to embark on sacking 2,500 workers and deliver two austerity budgets in six months.
Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberals already sold-out workers once this year to do a deal with the Greens to stay in power. The only job he cares about is his own, and he can’t be trusted to stand up for Tasmanian workers fighting for fair conditions.
Media release – Dean Winter MHA, Shadow Treasurer, 27 October 2025
First economic report card after Jeremy Rockliff’s sell out to the Greens makes for dire reading
The CommSec State of the States report – the first economic report card after Jeremy Rockliff’s sell out to the Greens, Kristie Johnston and Peter George – is out, and it paints a picture of economic devastation.
- Accounting for eight annual indicators, Tasmania ranked last of all states.
- Tasmania was the only economy in Australia forecast to shrink
- The report highlights shrinking household spending, equipment investment, and construction work
- Private sector demand was described as ‘anaemic’
Businesses say they cannot trust Jeremy Rockliff’s Liberal Green Government, and how could you blame them?
How could you invest in a state where a signed letter from the Premier means nothing? Where he will he sell out any job to save his own?
He told the salmon industry he would not use their industry and workers in any negotiations to form government, before adopting 80% of Peter George’s salmon policy in exchange for his vote of confidence.
He told the greyhound industry they had his support before announcing he would ban their industry three weeks later to gain Kristie Johnston and the Greens’ vote.
The impact on Tasmanians will be immense. The Rockliff and Abetz cuts will emerge next week as schools, hospitals and community services feel the full force of 11 years of Liberal fiscal vandalism and the sell out to the Greens.
Media release – Jo Palmer MHA, Minister for Education, 24 October 2025
Government schools to temporarily close due to industrial action
Tasmanian Government schools will be temporarily closed next week as a result of industrial action by public sector unions.
Schools will be closed from the start of the school day until 11am on the relevant day for each region:
- North-West: Tuesday, 28 October
- North (incl. Launceston): Wednesday, 29 October
- South (incl. Hobart): Thursday, 30 October
Schools will communicate directly with families and with an uncertain number of staff participating in the stop work action, families are asked to make arrangements for students to arrive after 11am for classes to commence at 11:30.
School buses will continue to operate at their normal times, except for Support School buses, which will be unable to run in the morning.
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the Tasmanian Government was extremely disappointed in the unions’ unnecessary action that will disrupt student learning and families, as well as impact businesses.
“Every day of school matters. This disruptive and unnecessary action by the unions’ means we are unable to guarantee there will be enough staff on site to adequately care for students,” Palmer said.
“We recognise the impact this will have on students, families and small businesses, and we again call on the unions to take the pay rise being offered and keep schools open.”
A revised wage offer was provided to unions earlier this week.
It includes a 3 per cent wage increase, which is almost double Tasmania’s annual inflation rate of 1.7 per cent, and strengthens a number of employment conditions.
Teachers next anticipated pay rise is not due until 26 March 2026.
The Australian Education Union’s log of claims was submitted to the Government on 22 September, 2025.
Media release – Australian Education Union Tasmania, Brian Wightman, State Manager – 24 October 2025
AEU Statement in response to school closures
Brian Wightman, AEU Tasmania State Manager said:
“The decision to close schools lies with the Rockliff government and was entirely avoidable.”
“Educators are fighting for safer schools and more teaching and learning resources to benefit students.”
“The Rockliff government had the opportunity to put students first – instead it chose politics.”
“Many educators are themselves parents and sympathise with the situation the government has put us all in.”
“We thank parents and carers for the incredible support they have shown our teachers, principals and support staff who will keep fighting to improve learning opportunities for all kids.”
Media release – Josh Willie MP, Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Education, 24 October 2025
Teachers deserve respect and fair conditions
Supporting workers and strong public education is in Labor’s DNA, and we will continue to back in Tasmania’s hardworking teachers in their fight for fair working conditions.
Our teaching workforce is frustrated that their concerns aren’t being listened to by the Premier.
They want respect, they want to be listened to, but instead they’ve got a Premier who’s only interested in pressuring them through the media.
Current resourcing and working conditions are stretching Tasmania’s teachers and school staff to the limit. This impacts them directly but also affects their ability to support the diverse needs of Tasmanian students.
We’ve already seen Premier Rockliff sell out workers once this year to do a deal with the Greens to stay in power.
The only job he cares about is his own, and he can’t be trusted to support our hardworking teachers to provide the education Tasmanian students deserve.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians.
New initiatives on the way include … what our contributors and readers suggest! Please get in touch with your suggestions.
