Tasmanian MP John Tucker threatens to 'bring down' minority Liberal government over animal welfare, AFL deal

ABC NEWS (Australia)

If the Tasmanian government was wishing for an easier ride this year, rogue independent MP John Tucker has dashed that hope. The former liberal has given the premier an ultimatum: fix animal welfare in abattoirs and halt work on an AFL high performance centre or he'll trigger an early election.

Transcript

00:00 The threat of an election probably wasn't on Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockleaf's wishlist

00:07 for the new year. But after missing the last two months of parliament because of a back

00:12 injury, balance of power independent John Tucker has returned. With an ultimatum.

00:19 The former Liberal is frustrated at what he says is the government's lack of action to

00:28 fix animal welfare problems in Tasmanian abattoirs. And its plans to build an AFL high performance

00:35 centre at Rosney on Hobart's eastern shore. Before the stadium is approved.

00:40 If these two issues are not fixed, I will be moving a motion of no confidence in the

00:45 government to bring the government down.

00:48 The government's already in minority, so would probably lose a no confidence motion. That's

00:53 likely to mean an early election.

00:56 I think the government will be very reluctant to go back to parliament if they are facing

01:01 a no confidence motion.

01:02 The government says it's already committed to installing surveillance cameras in slaughterhouses

01:07 and animal welfare audits. And the AFL performance centre was in last year's budget, which Mr

01:13 Tucker voted for. But the independent wants a commitment that no money will be spent on

01:17 it until the stadium is approved. Leaving Mr Tucker and the Premier in a standoff.

01:23 I don't think John Tucker is going to change. And unless Jeremy Rocklef can change and deliver

01:28 better services and a better government, then I think it's likely we'll end up going to

01:32 an election this year.

01:34 If stability was a New Year's resolution, the Tasmanian government might need to cross

01:39 it off the list.

01:40 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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