Explosive text messages allegedly from Dean Winter’s inner circle have revealed a calculated Labor plan to oust Premier Jeremy Rockliff, simply because he is more popular.
Minister Felix Ellis claimed the leaked messages show Winter misled parliament when he claimed his no-confidence motion wasn’t about personal ambition.
“Damning text messages from his inner sanctum that have been leaked today clearly show that that was a lie,” Ellis said on Tuesday.
The messages suggest Winter’s team was focused on removing Rockliff due to polling that shows the premier remains more popular with Tasmanians than Winter himself.
“…proves exactly why turfing Rockliff is such a good move for us,” one message read.
“He’s so popular with punters,” said another. “If Rockliff isn’t there, it’s easier for us to win the next election?”
The latest EMRS poll backs that up, showing Rockliff as the preferred premier with 44% support, compared to Winter’s 32%.
A poll on the Pulse Tasmania Facebook page on Monday put Rockliff ahead as preferred premier with 4,800 votes (94%) versus Winter’s 287 votes (6%).
Ellis said the texts show Labor’s approach is “purely based on self-interest” and the calculation that removing Rockliff from office would boost their election chances alongside support from the Greens.
“To see in black and white the kind of naked political opportunism … really goes to show just how much of a selfish ego trip this entire grab for power from Mr Winter has been,” he said.
Pressed on the authenticity of the texts, Ellis refused to provide details about their source or timing.
“I can assure you that these text messages are legitimate and any question to Mr Winter, if he has even a skerrick of integrity, will confirm that,” he said.
The exchange comes after Ellis bombarded his Facebook followers with almost a dozen posts targeting Labor over the past few days.
“Dean Winter is the shiver running down Tasmania’s spine today,” read one. “Winter = Wrecker,” read another.
In a statement, Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said the no-confidence motion was about the premier’s financial mismanagement, his “appalling handling” of the new Spirits and plan to sell Tasmania’s assets – not popularity.
“This is yet another desperate attempt from the Liberals to distract from Jeremy Rockliff’s undeniable failures,” Willie said.
“It also a staggering display of Felix Ellis two-facedness, with him publicly appearing to defend his fallen premier while joining a ticket with Eric Abetz to topple him behind his back.”
Despite the political turmoil and the possibility of a snap election, Ellis insists the government is standing firm behind Rockliff.
“Our team, the Liberal government, stands united behind our leader Jeremy Rockliff, who is the right man to lead Tasmania, a man of strength, of experience and of compassion,” Ellis said.
Rockliff is expected to visit Governor Barbara Baker today to request an election be held following an emergency sitting of parliament this morning.
