Tasmania’s entire public sector remains under tight caretaker rules, even after Jeremy Rockliff’s reshuffled Liberal ministry was sworn in on Monday.
State service chief Kathrine Morgan-Wicks has directed all government departments to keep operating under caretaker arrangements “until further notice”.
The directive means the government cannot make major policy decisions, significant appointments or enter substantial contracts while political uncertainty persists.
“Having considered the current environment and balancing the obligations of responsible government, I have determined that the public service will continue to remain operating in caretaker until further notice,” Morgan-Wicks wrote.
The move reflects the minority Liberal government’s fragile position heading into next Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, where a no-confidence motion is expected to be among the first items of business.
Neither the Liberals nor Labor hold the 18 seats needed for a majority in the 35-member House of Assembly.
Both parties unveiled their cabinet line-ups on Monday, as talks with the crossbench remain in full swing.
Caretaker conventions usually apply during election campaigns or government handovers, not after a ministry has been formally installed by the Governor.
The rules stop governments from making binding decisions that could tie the hands of any potential successor.
