New crossbench MP Peter George has launched a stinging attack on Labor’s ability to govern, calling it the most unprepared opposition he has seen in decades.
The independent MP said he would reject Labor’s no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff, likely leaving the Liberal minority government in place.
He joins fellow independents David O’Byrne, George Razay and Kristie Johnston, along with the Greens and SFF MP Carlo Di Falco, in refusing to back the motion.
Only Labor’s 10 MPs are expected to support it.
George also tore into Labor leader Dean Winter’s handling of crossbench talks.
“Never have I come across an opposition party less ready for government,” George said.
George, who shares the Franklin electorate with Winter, accused Labor of “undermining the very notion of collaboration and compromise” in its push to lead a minority government.
The former ABC journalist said Labor regularly fell back on the line ‘we will not compromise our values’ in negotiations, despite no one asking the party to abandon its principles.
“One does not abandon one’s values when working towards constructive collaboration on issues and policies that are important to the state,” George said.
“No one has asked Labor to sell out, no one has asked Labor to trade its values.”
Even the prospect of respected independent MLC Ruth Forrest serving as treasurer, as George had suggested weeks earlier, was not enough to convince him Labor was fit to govern.
“My vote … will reject the no-confidence motion,” he said, adding that did not mean he had confidence in the Liberal government either.
