Tasmania’s newest independent MP has not entered into any support agreement with the Tasmanian Liberal Government following the recent state election.
Craig Garland, a fisherman from the north-west, said he met with Premier Jeremy Rockliff for “exploratory discussions” over the weekend.
“I raised a number of issues with the Premier and … at this stage, I will not be entering into a deal with the Liberal Party,” Garland said.
“While we acknowledged that we may disagree on a number of issues, that will not prevent me from continuing conversations with all members of the new Parliament.”
In a video to his followers on social media earlier this week, Garland said: “My ass hasn’t touched the ground since I got elected.”
“I wasn’t prepared for what hit me, phone calls, meetings. It’s been a really, really busy week, probably the busiest week I’ve had in my life.”
During his campaign, Garland emphasised his commitment to focusing on Tasmania’s fisheries and marine environment.
He declared his opposition to salmon farming and native forest logging and has also previously said he is against the Marinus Link development.
Garland spoke at a ‘Yes AFL Team, No Stadium’ rally in Launceston in August 2023, saying at the time it was ‘good to voice concerns’ about the proposal.
The Liberals have so far been able to strike a deal with the Jacqui Lambie Network, with Franklin Independent David O’Byrne also in discussions with the government.
