Tasmanian independent MP Craig Garland has ruled out signing a confidence and supply agreement with Premier Jeremy Rockliff, making the Liberals’ return to power more difficult.
The Liberals have won at least 14 seats following the July 19 election, four short of the 18 seats needed to govern in majority.
Mr Garland, who was re-elected in the seat of Braddon, was one of several crossbenchers who the Liberals had been negotiating with to secure their support to govern in minority.
But in a statement released on Friday morning, Mr Garland said he had no faith in Mr Rockliff.
“This morning, I contacted Premier Jeremy Rockliff to inform him that I will not be signing any agreement to provide his government with confidence and supply in this parliament,” he said.
“In the previous parliament, I supported the no-confidence motion brought forward by Labor leader Dean Winter for a range of reasons — chief among them the premier’s mishandling of the proposed Macquarie Point stadium and the disastrous, wholly unsustainable budget delivered by his treasurer.
“Since calling the election, the premier and his party have refused to acknowledge our dire financial situation or the deeply flawed way they have attempted to push through the stadium project — ignoring community concerns and seeking to bypass scrutiny by the Independent Panel.”
Mr Garland says he believes Labor is “the only party capable of delivering stable and responsible government”. (ABC News: Meg Powell)
Marinus decision shows government ‘has learned nothing’Tasmania signs $5b Marinus deal
Mr Garland said the government’s handling of the Marinus Link decision, including last-minute, confidential briefings for crossbenchers about the project, was unacceptable.
Tasmanian Energy Minister Nick Duigan confirmed on Friday that the state had signed up to the multi-billion-dollar Marinus Link project.
The project will see a second underwater electricity cable and transmission line built in the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania.
It is designed to give the mainland greater reciprocal access to Tasmania’s renewable energy resources.
“While the premier promised to do things differently after the election, the recent handling of the Marinus Link decision tells a different story.
“It was rushed, secretive and emblematic of a government that has learned nothing.
“The same arrogance, lack of transparency, incompetence and dishonesty continue to define this administration, with the energy minister on behalf of the government, signing Tasmania up to yet another multi-billion dollar — behind closed doors — deal, without a mandate and without proper scrutiny, that will cost Tasmanians.”
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Mr Garland said these were not “traits of a government” that he could support.
“I will not waste my time or Mr Rockliff’s by entering into any formal negotiations with him, which is why I called him this morning to tell him as much. I also believe it is important to be up-front with the Tasmanian people about this.”
His decision gives Labor a better chance of forming a minority government, even though it has only secured 10 seats, with a chance of picking up an 11th seat in Bass.
“At this stage, I believe the only party capable of delivering stable and responsible government is the Labor Party,” Mr Garland said.
“I look forward to continuing discussions with Mr Winter.”
In a subsequent interview on ABC Mornings, Mr Garland confirmed he would support a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff, if one is moved when parliament returns.