Labor leader Dean Winter has branded the Greens “the enemy” after the party said it would not support his vote of no-confidence in the Liberal government.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff had been staring down the barrel of losing his job to Winter when parliament returned today, but with the Greens siding against the motion he now appears safe.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said that while her party has no confidence in the Liberals, Rockliff had shown more willingness to progress change on key issues such as salmon farming, forestry and greyhound racing.
“[Labor] didn’t shift and unfortunately we couldn’t work with them. There was nothing professional in the way that they were dealing with us. They were hostile,” she said.
“Their public statements were contemptuous of us. It’s not a good place to start to work collaboratively on the serious issues that face Tasmania.”
After Woodruff confirmed the Greens’ position, Winter accused Rockliff of striking a desperate pact with his political foes.
He said he stood by his election pledge not to do any deals with the Greens or compromise on policy.
“I kept true to my word while Jeremy Rockliff did a deal with the enemy of working people,” Winter said.
“This is a deal we will never let him get away with.”
“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.”
The no-confidence motion, to be moved when parliament resumes this morning, is yet to attract public backing from any crossbench MPs.
David O’Byrne and Kristie Johnston have joined the Greens in saying they will vote against it, a stance Rockliff appreciated.
“I welcome members of the crossbench indicating they will not support the leader of the opposition’s no-confidence motion,” he said.
“The time for political games is well and truly over. We must get on working together for all Tasmanians.”
