Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has accused Opposition Leader Dean Winter of deceiving both parliament and the crossbench over the motivations behind last week’s no-confidence motion.
Rockliff pointed to leaked text messages from a Labor staffer – confirmed as genuine by Pulse and the ABC – which he claims suggests Labor’s primary goal was not policy-based, but rather to remove the popular premier for political gain.
In the messages, the staffer described Rockliff as “so popular with punters” and said his removal would boost Labor’s electoral prospects.
“If Rockliff isn’t there, it’s easier for us to win next election?” one message read.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rockliff said the messages laid bare Labor’s true agenda, despite the motion officially citing concerns over the Spirit of Tasmania ferries, budget management and potential privatisation of state assets.
“His motivations were clearly to get rid of me and me alone so it makes it easier for him to win an election,” Rockliff said.
“He deceived the crossbench, he deceived the parliament and he deceived the Tasmanian people. What he needs to do is front up today and have the guts and the courage to do so.”
“The parliament was deceived by Dean Winter and with respect you need to hold Dean Winter accountable to the true motivations of why he moved that no confidence motion. That is your job,” Rockliff told reporters.
Winter did not face the media on Wednesday, but Braddon MP Shane Broad did.
He dismissed questions about Labor’s intentions behind the no-confidence motion as “complete garbage” and said the party was unsure about the authenticity of the leaked messages.
“I think you’re getting sidetracked by the minor issues when the real issue here is that this government is driving a budget that will bankrupt the state,” he said.
In a statement, Winter rejected the premier’s accusations and said Labor is “ready to win” a state election.
“His claims today are so absurd it is hard to believe they have come from a leader of this state,” Winter said.
“He accepts no responsibility and takes no blame for his own government’s demise. I won’t participate in the sort of personal attacks he is engaging in.”
The no-confidence motion passed last Thursday with support from 18 of the 35 members of parliament, including the Greens, independents Kristie Johnston and Craig Garland and Andrew Jenner of the Jacqui Lambie Network.
Both Rockliff and Winter have visited Governor Barbara Baker in the last 24 hours, with Baker currently considering her options.
