Minister Eric Abetz says he would encourage embattled Treasurer Michael Ferguson “not to resign” if a motion of no confidence is successfully moved against him.
Ferguson is facing the motion when state parliament returns on Tuesday over his handling of the new delayed Spirit of Tasmania ferries and associated infrastructure debacle.
Speaking on Sunday, Abetz dismissed the motion as a “political stunt” and said Ferguson has the full support of his colleagues.
“Even if a motion of no confidence were to be passed in him, which I think is completely hypothetical because common sense I’m sure will prevail, there will be no need for Mr Ferguson to resign and I would encourage him not to resign,” he said.
“When I was a Senator, there were motions of no confidence passed in the Senate in certain Ministers and the Ministers continue to act and continue to hold office.”
“A motion of no confidence is a political stunt and legally is of no consequence.”
“Will it improve anything? Will it change anything? Will it make the pathway for Devonport easier by having a no confidence motion? I think we all know what the answer to that is.”
“It is not positive, it won’t change anything and it’s just Labor playing a political stunt and I think people are sick and tired of that.”
Abetz also ruled out any interest in taking over Ferguson’s portfolio.
“This is hypothetical and I’m not willing to engage in that at all,” he said.
“Suffice to say that the jobs that the Premier has given me to do is more than a plateful and I’m delighted with that which he’s given me.”
Independents David O’Byrne, Kristie Johnston and Andrew Jenner have indicated they will support Labor in passing the no confidence motion, alongside the Greens.
