Labor’s attempt to bring down the Liberal government is on shaky ground, as the party refuses to negotiate with the Greens – despite needing their support to form government.
Labor leader Dean Winter confirmed yesterday that a no-confidence motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s government will be moved when parliament returns on August 19.
But for the motion to succeed, Labor needs support from at least eight crossbenchers. With only five independents, one Shooters MP and five Greens, Labor cannot get there without the Greens’ backing.
Greens deputy leader Vica Bayley said on Thursday that Winter was making a big mistake by assuming the Greens would simply fall into line.
“If Dean Winter wants to move a motion of no-confidence in the government and a motion of confidence in himself, he needs to convince us that we should have confidence in him,” he said.
“If Dean Winter wants our support in a no-confidence motion, it’s pretty clear and it’s pretty logical I think to everybody that he needs to sit down and have meaningful conversations, negotiations with the Greens.”
“That hasn’t happened yet and with 12 days until parliament, this is getting serious.”
Labor’s hard line on not doing policy deals is also frustrating potential allies, with independent MPs questioning why they are being asked to offer support with nothing in return.
Labor MLC Sarah Lovell made it clear the party is not offering any sweeteners.
“We have said from the start and for a long time now that we won’t be doing any deals with the Greens, but we won’t be doing deals with anyone,” she said.
“We are not trading off on policy. We’re not compromising our values. We’re not expecting the crossbench to do to do that either.”
Labor has been meeting with most crossbenchers this week. Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he has also been in touch.
Speaking in Launceston today, Rockliff said Winter “has learnt nothing” since the election.
“What the election said and the people of Tasmania clearly demonstrated is that they are sick and tired of the political games,” he said.
“Mr Winter continues to play political games even though Mr Winter got the lowest vote for Labor since 1903.”
He is hoping that “common-sense” will prevail when parliament returns and that the crossbench will help keep his government in power.
Rockliff also took a swipe at Winter for not planning to move the no-confidence motion himself and potentially having another MP “do his dirty work for him”.
“Mr Winter, if he’s got the courage of his convictions, should be bringing forward that no-confidence motion himself,” Rockliff said.
