TRANSCRIPT
The Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been ousted by a successful no-confidence motion that passed by one vote.
Labor, the Greens and independents teamed up to overthrow the minority Liberal premier.
He says he's 'broken hearted' at the result.
"Because what we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how a parliament should be, in actual fact, and I wanted it to work. I believed in it, and I actually still do."
The vote was initially tied at 17 for and against the no confidence motion.
Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne cast the tie breaking vote.
"As I provide my casting vote today I do so in the knowledge that regardless of the outcome of today's vote, the stability of this parliament is fundamentally under question."
The Liberal leader's downfall has been driven by a number of issues, including debate over a recent budget.
Labor has slammed the budget - handed down a week ago but not yet passed - as unsustainable.
Ms O'Byrne says the government could run out of money if a solution is not found soon.
"The die is cast and the state is on the inexorable path to another early election. The budget before this house faces almost insurmountable challenges in both its form and in its timing. As a result, I've sought advice on the issue of supply. In the event this budget is not passed, and I've been advised and in the absence of the approval of the appropriation bills currently before this house, alternate arrangements need to be established to fund government services beyond 1 July 2025. I'm sure no one in this house would like to see a situation where payments are not made to government employees or there is a failure to run service delivery or the organisations that provide them."
Another key issue has been the proposal - supported by Mr Rockliff - to build a new stadium in Hobart at a ballooning cost of almost $1 billion.
The new stadium is a condition for the success of Tasmania's bid to have a team in the AFL from 2028.
After being ousted, Mr Rockcliff spoke passionately about his belief in the project.
"A large majority of this discussion, particularly from the Green side of the parliament, talked about the stadium and the AFL and AFLW team, and I've been advised by all the hard heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes. Well, I've always said stuff votes."
Another key issue was cost blowouts in the project to launch two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, which link the island state with the mainland.
Originally projected to cost $90 million, the latest estimates from Transport Minister Eric Abetz now put the price at $493 million.
With the accumulation of issues like these, opposition Leader Dean Winter says he had no choice but to topple the premier.
"I can't stand by and let this premier ruin this state, and so Tasmanian Labor needs to stand up, stand up for Tasmanians who want good health care, who want an education system that supports Tasmanian young people, who want a government that is focused on supporting them. I want to bridge the gap between Tasmania and the mainland. I want to make sure this is a state that has the best education facilities possible. I want this to be a state where you can get the health care you need, anywhere you live, but that's not what we've got."
Mr Winter said the Rockliff government was "putting everything on the credit card" with its budget.
"This is not personal, this is about Tasmania's future. It's about making sure we've got a government and a premier who are prepared to put Tasmania's interests first. Tasmania's interests now and into the future, not the not the short term political interests of someone who is prepared to put Tasmania's budget in so much debt, in so much deficit."
For his part, Mr Rockcliff says Mr Winter will be remembered as a wrecker who's more interested in taking his job than protecting the jobs of Tasmanians.
The opposition leader has ruled out governing alongside the Greens, which could have provided a pathway to a new minority government.
As a result, Mr Rockliff says Tasmania will now be forced into an election they don't want, and can't afford.
"And I mean what I say. I will advise the Governor of the vote in the House and the context of it. I will also advise if Mr Winter cannot command a majority in this place, most reluctantly, we would need to go to an election."
