The Labor opposition have confirmed they will move a no-confidence motion against Treasurer Michael Ferguson in Parliament on Tuesday over the “biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history”.
Labor Leader Dean Winter said Premier Jeremy Rockliff has “refused to hold” the Treasurer and former Infrastructure Minister responsible for the delayed Spirit of Tasmania ferry and infrastructure project.
“This is an issue that impacts every Tasmanian. It’s an issue that will cost Tasmanians a billion dollars in lost revenue and $500 million in addition to our budget,” Winter said.
“The best outcome today would have been for Jeremy Rockliff to show the leadership that’s required to reshuffle his Cabinet and go to Parliament tomorrow and deal with the things that matter to Tasmanians.”
“But instead he’s decided to play this game where he wants the Parliament to do his job for him.”
Winter said the no-confidence motion is backed by the crossbench and will be supported by The Greens.
“I think it’s important that we have ministerial accountability and if there’s ever going to be ministerial accountability, it’s over this issue where there is such a clear breach and such a clear example of incompetence within this,” he said.
“We’ve had a number of discussions and we’ll be having more discussions with [David] O’Byrne and [Craig] Garland later today. I’ve had discussions with [Kristie] Johnston.”
“I haven’t spoken to [Andrew] Jenner yet but there’s been conversations across the crossbench, apart from with the two former JLN members, about holding this Government to account.”
The motion will be put forward when Parliament next sits on Tuesday morning.
