Former Liberal-turned-Independent MP John Tucker is threatening to withdraw his support for the state government, a move that could potentially trigger an early election.
Tucker is demanding immediate action on both the proposed AFL stadium project and the conditions in the state’s abattoirs.
He is accusing the government of ‘neglecting its responsibilities in monitoring animal welfare’ and of ‘prioritising the stadium’ over parliamentary matters.
“Either the Premier starts respecting decisions taken by the parliament or I will withdraw my pledge of confidence and supply and we will have an election,” Tucker said.
“This rogue behaviour needs to stop now.”
Tucker is calling for a comprehensive surveillance program to be installed in abattoirs and a halt to plans for an AFL High Performance Centre in Hobart.
“In advance of parliament’s decision on the stadium this decision to proceed with the AFL training centre is completely unacceptable. It is treating the parliament with contempt,” he said.
While parliament had previously voted in favour of installing 24-hour surveillance cameras in abattoirs, Primary Industries Minister Jo Palmer has instead announced a taskforce to investigate animal welfare standards that will report back by the end of March.
Minister Felix Ellis has stressed the importance of animal welfare for Tasmania’s red meat sector and said the government is “absolutely committed to doing what it takes to make sure that our abattoirs are safe and that they are humane”.
“We’ll continue to work with the industry around this and of course our parliamentary colleagues as well … there is no place for animal cruelty in our abattoirs here in Tasmania,” he said.
“It’s critically important. There are hundreds of jobs that rely on it directly as part of the processing industry, but then of course all the flow and effects around farms and rural enterprise here in Tasmania.”
