Labor leader Dean Winter is standing firm on his decision to launch a no-confidence motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff, just hours before a crucial vote that could bring down Tasmania’s Liberal government.
Winter, who has been Labor leader for 421 days, said he was left with no choice amid what he described as a growing debt crisis and plans to privatise key state assets.
“I had two choices, we had two choices. Sit idly by and let this Premier wreck our budget, sell our assets and continue to leave our spirits on the wrong side of the world, or stand up for Tasmanians who deserve better,” Winter said on Thursday afternoon.
He has also ruled out any deal with the Greens if Labor is asked to form government, a stance that could see Tasmania head back to the polls.
“I’ll be saying that Tasmanian Labor won’t be doing any deals with the Greens,” he said when asked what he would tell the governor.
That is despite the Greens signalling they would be open to working with Labor. In the 35-seat lower house, Labor currently holds 10 seats, while the Greens have 5.
Winter also pushed back against suggestions the motion was politically motivated.
“I’m sorry, this is really, really serious. This is the most serious thing that any opposition leader could do,” he said.
“This is the most serious decision that any parliamentarian could make and I’m not taking it lightly.”
On concerns the no-confidence vote could jeopardise Tasmania’s AFL dream, Winter said he understands the passion around the Devils franchise but made it clear that health and education are still front of mind.
“We support Tasmanian Devils and the AFL team that Tasmanians have dreamed of forever,” he said. “But I’ve got to say that I’ve got a lot of very high priorities. It’s around health and education.”
“Yes, we absolutely support getting this team. But Tasmanians, when I talk to them, they talk about cost of living. They talk about education. They talk about the future of our young people.”
The vote is expected to conclude later today, with Rockliff potentially making his way to Government House shortly after.
Rockliff was seen this afternoon stepping into the light at Dark Mofo’s Dark Park inside MAC 02.
The premier toured the site with Dark Lab’s Leigh Carmichael, ahead of the festival’s opening tonight.
