Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has presented a draft “stability agreement” to newly elected independent crossbenchers as he seeks support for a minority Liberal government following Saturday’s election.
As counting continues, the Liberals have locked in at least 14 seats in the new parliament, the most of any party — but still short of the 18 needed for a majority.
Labor has won at least 10 seats, after gaining the final spot in the electorate of Franklin, according to ABC chief elections and data analyst Casey Briggs.
At least four independents have also been elected — previous MPs David O’Byrne, Kristie Johnston, and Craig Garland, as well as newcomer Peter George.
Carlo Di Falco from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party also has a chance to gain a seat in Lyons.
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Mr Rockliff said he is seeking feedback from each on a draft stability agreement.
“This is a very good example of engagement and how we can work together,” he said.
“And I look forward to meeting with key independents over the course of the next number of days to ensure that I can get their feedback on how what I have presented as a draft can be further improved upon as well.”
Tasmanian election coverage
Saturday’s snap poll took place after Labor last month moved a successful no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff, including in his ability to improve the state’s soaring debt level.
Mr Rockliff said his draft stability agreement would allow the co-development of parliamentary protocols and would feature a “multi-partisan budget panel”.
“So we can have good discussions prior to the budget and have everyone’s input on that,” he said.
“But it’s also about ensuring that we continue to build on … the very good work [in] the last parliament.”
The agreement would also feature “ministerial consultation protocols” and a “crossbench liaison office”.
The ABC has contacted the elected crossbenchers for their response to Mr Rockliff’s approach.
Peter George unimpressed
Peter George unsuccessfully ran in May’s federal election before tasting state success on Saturday. (ABC News: Ellen Coulter)
Mr George, who received the largest primary vote of any candidate in the seat of Franklin, said he was not impressed with the premier’s proposed agreement — nor in the way it was announced.
“We only got a fairly short amount of notice before he released it to the media,” Mr George said.
“And I’ve got to say, it’s incredibly disappointing.
“It’s a ‘foundation for stability’, but it actually talks about parliamentary protocols and I’m astonished if they’re not all in place already. They should have been.”
Mr George said he wanted both major parties to further articulate how they would operate collaboratively in a minority government.
“We need room to be able to move our own legislation. We certainly need the staffing that allows us to do that.
“[We need] a very clear understanding that we are not committed to supporting the Liberal government or a Labor government on everything that they want to ram through.”
Mr George said he would get into the “nitty gritty” of negotiations once the final make-up of parliament was determined.
On Tuesday, he said he had also met with Labor Leader Dean Winter, describing it as “cordial, but with no substantial discussions on how the next parliament will operate as I want to see how the seats fall in the end”.
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Mr Garland, who has been re-elected in the seat of Braddon, said he was pleased to receive the draft agreement and was actively considering it.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Mr Garland said.Loading…
Earlier on Wednesday, he told ABC Radio Hobart the major parties needed to be open to collaboration if they wanted his support.
“Well, there’s a lot of talk, and then in the same breath, I hear [them say] ‘We’re not moving on salmon. We’re not moving on native forest logging’.
“That’s not how you come into conversations, like compromise and finding common ground is just that.”
He said he wanted to be included in “budget repair” and the “development of policy”.
“Those two things, I think, are absolutely crucial with the talk of compromise and working together.
“We have to be at the table to have input into that, I think.”
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Kristie Johnston, who was returned in the seat of Clark, said she had spoken to Jeremy Rockliff on Monday and indicated she wouldn’t be rushing into anything and needed to see the make-up of parliament before making any decisions.
Mr Di Falco declined to comment specifically on Mr Rockliff’s “stability agreement”, but said his idea to improve stability would be mandatory four-year terms.
“If I do get in, trying to see if we can get along the same lines, compulsory four-year terms, so there’s none of this pulling out,” he said.
“When you are elected, you are dealt with a handful of cards and you’ve got to play those cards to the end.
“The voters are sick of going to the polls.”
Former Labor leader turned independent, David O’Byrne, said the detail wasn’t inconsistent with the way he was engaging with the Rockliff government prior to the election, but “a more structured approach is welcomed”.
A spokesperson said Labor was “working on a similar document but won’t be releasing anything publicly before consulting with the cross bench and receiving their feedback”.
On election night, the party’s leader, Dean Winter, indicated he would try to form a minority government if Mr Rockliff was unable to garner enough support from the crossbench.