Minister Michael Ferguson has resigned from his cabinet position in the Tasmanian Government.
His resignation comes ahead of a no-confidence motion that was planned to be debated in parliament tomorrow.
Ferguson, who has held the seat of Bass since 2010, said he takes full responsibility for the delays and cost overruns in the construction of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries.
Speaking on Monday night, Ferguson said he wanted to resign ahead of the Tuesday vote to save Parliament from what would have been a “waste of time”.
Joined by his wife and son, Ferguson said he will be staying on in Parliament as a “freshly re-elected member for Bass”.
“It’s the brutal mathematics of politics that would very clearly indicate that we don’t have enough votes on the floor of the Parliament to sustain a no-confidence motion,” he said.
“In those circumstances, with nobody asking me to, I’ve offered my resignation to the Premier and to the Governor from the cabinet.”
“I’ve had an amazing go at being a Minister. I’ve had incredible opportunities provided to me by Will Hodgman, Peter Gutwein and Jeremy Rockliff.”
“It’s been the honour of my life to serve in a variety of important roles that have helped to lead our state through an era of prosperity.”
“It’s been a particular honour to serve as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in Tasmania and Deputy Premier under Premier Jeremy Rockliff.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to continue to serve the wonderful people of northern Tasmania in the electorate of Bass.”
”I leave this role with a very heavy heart. I’ve got a smile on my face, but it is with a very heavy heart.”
“I believe it’s the right decision for these times. I want to see stability in the Tasmanian Parliament and the decision that I’m taking today, I hope it’s seen as an honourable one.”
Premier Rockliff said “there is still a journey” for Ferguson in his electorate of Bass.
“Michael has held his head high through what has been a very traumatic few months and indeed weeks,” he said.
“There have been considerable attacks on his personality and dragging up matters, of course, which one can only describe as a smear campaign.”
“He deserves to be very proud of his achievements over the course of the last 20 years in public life.”
Rockliff said he “could not ask for more” in a Deputy Premier.
“Politics is a brutal business and today is a demonstration of the brutality of the roles that we play,” he said.
“We’re not angry, we’re just keen to get on with the job.”
Rockliff did not say when Ferguson’s positions would be filled.
