Eric Abetz should be removed as the Leader of Government Business after making contentious comments about the validity of no-confidence motions, the leader of the Tasmanian Greens believes.
Abetz dismissed such motions over the weekend as a mere “political stunt” and suggested that even if one were to pass against Treasurer Michael Ferguson, he would not be required to resign.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff accused Abetz of having a “dripping disdain for Parliament and our long-standing Westminster conventions” and questioned Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s decision to keep him in the role.
“Premier, given Mr Abetz’s palpable contempt for Parliament, will you use your cabinet reshuffle to remove him as Leader of Government Business?” she asked.
“And given his clear disregard for our system of government and its foundational conventions, will you rule out making him the Attorney-General?”
Rockliff said he will consult with colleagues on potential cabinet changes but praised Abetz’s performance.
“I’m very fortunate indeed that I have got such a capable team of which to draw from their lived experience across a range of areas,” he said.
“I will say what an outstanding job Minister Abetz is doing for his responsibilities and very strong stakeholder endorsement that I received as well on Minister Abetz’s application to the very important task that he has.”
Abetz later used a follow-up question from Woodruff to tell the Franklin MP her wider understanding of his role was wrong.
“Here we have the Leader of the Greens telling us about the conventions of the Westminster system and gets it wrong in asking me as Leader of the House,” he said.
“Because Leader of the House is not a Ministry. It is not something that you are sworn into. It is a management role that is appointed by the Premier.”
Speaker Michelle O’Byrne told the Parliament there is “no legal enforcement” of the conventions of the Westminster system.
“There are, however, parliamentary consequences that can be played in this house that would come into play,” she said.
“I think we can agree that technically you cannot force a minister to step down after a motion of no confidence, but the consequences for a government that did not do so would be severe.”
