The Greens have accused Labor of putting politics before people after Opposition Leader Dean Winter failed to respond to multiple offers of cooperation that could have avoided an early election.
Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff said her party had reached out to Labor several times in recent days, attempting to strike a deal that would have kept Tasmanians from heading back to the polls.
“The Greens reached out to Labor and made it clear we were ready to find a way to work together in the best interests of all Tasmanians, but the Opposition Leader didn’t even respond,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff, who entered parliament in 2015 following the resignation of long-time Greens MP Nick McKim, said most Tasmanians “don’t want” another election.
She pointed the finger at both major parties.
“Jeremy Rockliff could have respected the will of the parliament and stepped aside for another Liberal leader,” she said.
“Dean Winter could have sought to form government with other MPs.”
“They didn’t have to send Tasmanians back to the polls after only a year in parliament, but Liberal and Labor politicians have put their political interests first, ahead of the needs of Tasmanians.”
Winter had categorically ruled out any doing any deals with the Greens, saying Labor’s agenda “does not align with the Greens in any way, shape or form”.
On Saturday, he said the two sides were “diametrically opposed” on core policy areas, including support for the salmon industry, forestry, mining and renewable energy projects.
The Greens currently hold five seats in the lower house – Woodruff, Vica Bayley, Cecily Rosol, Tabatha Badger and Helen Burnet – and say they are “ready to fight for the best interests of this island”.
“The Greens will be campaigning to stop the stadium and invest instead in health and housing,” Woodruff said.
“This election is a huge opportunity to finally stop the stadium and the best way to do that is to vote Green.”
Tasmanians will go to the polls on Saturday, July 19.
