Labor Leader Dean Winter has revealed his approach to forming government, after losing a key potential supporter to the Liberal Party this morning.
Winter today released Labor’s ‘Framework for Collaboration‘, promising “a genuine opportunity for parliament to do things differently” amid ongoing negotiations following the July election that delivered a hung parliament.
“I won’t try to buy the support of the crossbench by trading away my values and selling out industries,” Winter said in a statement.
“That’s the difference between Jeremy Rockliff and me. I keep my word.”
“Labor’s framework is about changing the system, not just changing the Premier. It empowers all members of the parliament to shape Tasmania’s future.”
Winter said the plan would deliver “a real path to budget repair” while prioritising “trust and integrity in government” through open and respectful collaboration.
The announcement comes as former Labor Leader and now independent MP David O’Byrne declared his support for Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff to form Tasmania’s next government.
O’Byrne, who now sits as an independent member for Franklin, cited parliamentary stability as his primary concern in backing Rockliff.
“I feel that the Liberal Party, led by Jeremy Rockliff, is the only party that will be able to form a workable majority on the floor of parliament,” O’Byrne said.
Rockliff welcomed O’Byrne’s support and criticised Labor’s approach to crossbench negotiations.
“The Labor Party have refused to engage in meaningful conversations, have refused to accept the fact that they’ve got the lowest votes since 1903 and have been immature … from the day the no confidence was presented to parliament,” Rockliff said.
“We’ve had sensible policy conversations across the crossbench. That’s what Tasmanians would expect us to do and I look forward to Tuesday. I don’t take anything for granted.”
