A multi-partisan panel set up to advise the Tasmanian government on budget repair has split, with independent MP Kristie Johnston and the Greens quitting.
Johnston told Treasurer Eric Abetz the panel had failed to operate as a genuine “deliberative” forum.
“In practice, it has been a venue for briefings rather than genuine engagement with the decisions that shape expenditure and revenue priorities,” she wrote in her resignation letter.
She questioned why crossbenchers would participate in a closed-door process when they could instead seek Treasury briefings directly.
Johnston also raised concerns about the panel’s legitimacy, noting it operates without Labor or Legislative Council members and without any public record of its discussions.
She said major spending commitments – including the Macquarie Point stadium and Marinus Link – made it “difficult to credibly present the panel as part of a pathway to budget repair”.
Independent Franklin MP David O’Byrne, however, criticised the decision to withdraw.
“It was clear from the start that this was not a deliberative panel,” O’Byrne said.
He accused departing members of attempting to “re-prosecute” issues already decided by parliament.
“Disengaging from this forum will ultimately be detrimental towards members’ understanding of important budgetary issues and suggests that political posturing is favoured over increasing knowledge of the state’s finances,” he said.
Treasurer Eric Abetz rejected suggestions the panel had failed, saying members had unanimously agreed to the terms of reference and set their own meeting agendas.
He also noted the six departing members had previously supported sending the government to an early election over budget concerns.
“Now that that work starts on budget repair you see them walking away,” Abetz said.
“I don’t think they’ve covered themselves in glory.”
“The fact that they’ve now walked away is disappointing but I think the Tasmanian people will read into it that they’re not up for the hard work that is required.”
Five crossbench MPs remain on the panel, including O’Byrne, Carlo Di Falco, George Razay, Craig Garland and Peter George.
Abetz has invited newly independent Clark MP Helen Burnet to join the panel after she quit the Greens, an invitation she has accepted.
“I’ll turn up to these sessions, to listen and to learn. I’m realistic as to the panel’s limitations,” Burnet said.
“The government’s panel is not the only source of information-far from it.”
“I’m already meeting with economists and others including key stakeholders to hear their concerns, to be ready to ask questions of the government and to hold them to account.”
