Labor leader Dean Winter has launched a motion of no-confidence against Premier Jeremy Rockliff on the opening day of the new parliament.
Winter spoke for 30 minutes on Tuesday, saying Labor could not let the state continue under the Liberal government.
The move comes after the previous parliament voted no-confidence in Rockliff’s government on June 5 over a budget that would have pushed the state’s net debt to $11 billion.
“Those of us with conviction have no confidence in this premier, Jeremy Rockliff, or his government,” Winter said.
“This day might not end well for me, but this day will define this premier for the rest of his political career.”
“He will have the stigma of being a sellout, of giving in to green demands on racing, salmon and forestry – selling out people who backed him for 20 years.”
The confidence vote will decide whether the Rockliff Liberal government survives.
Rockliff, responding after Winter, said Tasmanians were angry about being dragged to the polls in an election nobody wanted after Labor “blew up” the parliament.
“The people of Tasmania clearly want us to continue to work with independence and to work with other parties across the chamber,” Rockliff said.
“The opposition leader, however, continues to demonstrate that you have learned nothing. Indeed, Labor recorded their lowest vote since 1903. There was clearly a lesson in that.”
Rockliff said the new minority government must work together on policies that reflect the broader will of the community.
“None of us can take any of us for granted. We must work together for the betterment of the Tasmanian people,” he said.
