- today
Jeremy Rockliff delivers press conference day after Tasmanian state election
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00:00Alright, well thank you everyone for being here today in beautiful northern Tasmania
00:11and it was here six weeks ago that we of course announced our new candidate for BAS, Bridget Archer
00:18and I want to congratulate Bridget very much on being re-elected to a parliament
00:24and this parliament of course is the Tasmanian parliament
00:27and I couldn't be prouder of what Bridget has achieved prior to her candidacy of course
00:34but of course adds great strength to already a very strong team that of course will be elected when all the votes are finalised.
00:46Can I say thank you to all our team once again, thank you to Tasmanians for their endorsement
00:56and I'm very proud of the fact that we took a very clear plan to the Tasmanian people
01:03and that plan of course and our commitments have been endorsed
01:07we have secured the most number of seats
01:11and look forward of course to the final days of counting over the course of the next few weeks.
01:18My message to Tasmanians is very clear, firstly thank you very much, we are going to get on with the job.
01:28I note Mr Winter's comments that he says that we should be given first opportunity to form government
01:35and that's exactly what I intend to do as I said just last night
01:41that I will go to the governor and seek the recommissioning of our government
01:46and so we can get on with the job and provide that certainty and stability that Tasmanians deserve.
01:54What Tasmanians clearly voted for yesterday was an end to the political games.
02:03They expect a parliament to work together and they expect the parliament to last four years.
02:10That is my commitment as Premier to ensure that we have a four year parliament
02:16to provide that certainty and stability for the Tasmanian people.
02:21A strengthened team of an already strong team with people such as Gavin Pearce and Bridget Archer joining our team as well.
02:30So thank you to Tasmanians, very humbled by the increase in our support
02:36and the most number of seats in the parliament.
02:40And with those few words I am more than happy to take a few questions, thank you very much.
02:44How confident are you that you can get enough crossbench support from government?
02:49Yeah thanks Bec. Look I have reached out to potential crossbench members today including conversations
02:58and my view is that the crossbench in the cold hard light of day
03:05will recognise the party being the Liberal Party with the most number of seats
03:11are able to of course form a cabinet.
03:16And they recognise that over the course of the last 16 months since the March 2024 election
03:23that I have reached across the chamber.
03:26I have listened.
03:28Yes, I have learnt a lot as well of course.
03:32And my resolve to working collaboratively with crossbenchers has only been enhanced and strengthened
03:40by my experience over the course of the last 12 months.
03:44What have you spoken to?
03:46I have had good conversations with Mr Garland, I have had a conversation with Mr George as well
03:53and I congratulated both Craig and Peter on their election.
03:59I have reached out to Ms Johnson, I have spoken to Carlo from the Shooters and Fishers party as well
04:08and I have just said look I am willing to of course make this parliament work
04:14and in the best interests of Tasmanians.
04:17They expect the end to the political games and they expect a parliament to work together
04:23in the best interests of the Tasmanian people.
04:25Do you think these crossbenchers are likely to back you?
04:29Look, what I believe the crossbenchers of course and those that are elected
04:37and they are still counting of course to come over the course of the next few weeks
04:43is that we all want a stable parliament
04:47and a stable parliament with a government that has been re-elected
04:53with at least the same number of seats is the way forward.
04:58Since the crossbenchers voted for a no confidence motion against you
05:02why would they have changed their minds?
05:05Well, Mr Garland has said I believe publicly that he may do things a little differently.
05:12This is a new parliament and a parliament that has been reaffirmed
05:19the support for the Liberal Party.
05:22Our vote increased.
05:26The Labor Party's vote is the lowest for over a century
05:32and that is a very strong and clear signal to all members of parliament
05:39about who is able and best able to govern in the best interests of Tasmania
05:45and work across of course the parliament in a very collaborative way.
05:49A lot of people are saying why are we here?
05:52It would be embarrassing for the state.
05:54They just want to get on with it.
05:56I want to talk to you about the Tassie Divers.
05:58How do you see that playing out now?
06:02Well, my very firm commitment was for our own Tassie AFL and AFLW team.
06:09It's been fought for for decades.
06:14I'm very proud of securing the deal that has established the Tasmanian Devils
06:21and very proud of what has been achieved in a very short amount of time.
06:26Of course, with Catherine McCann, Brendan Gale, Grant O'Brien, the board
06:31and all the people already engaged in the Tasmanian Devils.
06:35What the vote also said is that, you know, two thirds of Tasmanians
06:41voted for a pro-Tassie Devils and a pro-stadium position candidates.
06:49And so, again, that is resounding.
06:54We've always made it very clear, should I say, of our position when it comes to the stadium, the Devils
07:01but also the economic flow on benefits from such infrastructure investment.
07:07And two thirds of Tasmanians voted, if you like, yes stadium and yes team.
07:12And so, again, we need to get on with the job.
07:16Are you confident that you can do that, make it happen?
07:19Yes, yes, I am very confident because the will of the people voting for two thirds
07:26of the Tasmanian people voted for pro-stadium candidates
07:30and that also sends a very strong signal, in my view, to the Legislative Council
07:36which also play a very important and key role when it comes to scrutinising legislation.
07:42Where do you think there's crossbench support that you've come from, particularly because
07:46some of the Greens and the independent candidates campaigns on such vastly different policies?
07:54Look, I've, as I've said, are you talking about Mr Winter's position, Bec?
07:58No, no, no, the Greens and the independents.
08:01Look, what we want to ensure is that, you know, we, as a government, we took a very clear plan to the Tasmanian people.
08:11We have a very united team.
08:13We have the leadership to get on with the job.
08:16And I have demonstrated over the course of the last 16 months that I'm willing to work across the chamber.
08:26And the last parliament, there was significant wins for independent members, crossbenchers, you know, Greens, Labor.
08:36You know, this was about a collaborative parliament.
08:40You know, as a government, I was proud to get most of our agenda through.
08:44But as I said very clearly last night, you know, the Tasmanian people expect their members of parliament
08:50to be mature in their approach, pragmatic, willing to listen to all sides,
08:58hold firm key values, of course, and key commitments, but work in the best interest of the Tasmanian people.
09:07No member of parliament, including myself, can expect to get 100% of what we want through 100% of the time.
09:17And that's where mature heads need to prevail, where we need to accept the fact, the will of the people,
09:25and the will of the people will be reflected, and is reflected, in the vote just yesterday.
09:31If it's a very progressive crossbench, what are you going to do differently?
09:36Sorry, Bec?
09:37If it's a very progressive crossbench, what are you going to do differently?
09:42Well, depending on your definition of progressive, Bec, in terms of that, you know, we've got, you know,
09:5175% of the parliament, of course, backs in our traditional industries.
09:57And that is another key outcome as well.
10:03But, you know, we are a government that governs from the centre, and has governed from the centre,
10:11and we're very committed to all our commitments and our policies, which I believe reflect many people's views
10:19when it comes to better access for healthcare, for women and families, for example,
10:26when it comes to our economy, when it comes to better health services, investing in our schools,
10:33investing in our young people, ensuring that every child that goes to school, a public school,
10:41has a brekkie in their tummy so they can engage in learning and thrive as young people.
10:47Well, you've got a crossbench with, to reword it, with significant additions to the stadium,
10:52to salmon farming, to native forest logging. How and what will you do to work with them?
10:58Well, we need to remain in our resolve to our clear commitments.
11:07And I will never resolve from the fact that I support our traditional industries
11:12when it comes to our mining industry, of course, our salmon industry, farmers and foresters,
11:18in and on a very sustainable basis.
11:22The Labor Party also, I would hope, would stick to their commitments they made to those key sectors as well.
11:32Again, not every single member of parliament can have 100 per cent of what they want 100 per cent of the time,
11:39and Tasmanians would look very poorly on any individual member of parliament,
11:45whether that be in a political party or not, that held the parliament to ransom.
11:50We need to listen to everyone's views and have a very sensible conversation,
11:57in a very measured way, about exactly the key policies and key areas that Tasmanians care about.
12:04It appears that some of your ministers weren't regained their seats.
12:07What is your response to that, and will Ms Archer be getting a portfolio?
12:11Look, I'm very comforted by the fact that we have people such as Bridget and Gavin,
12:20that has come into our team.
12:23It's a little early yet to be selecting cabinet members, of course,
12:29but what I can say is that I'm very proud of the team that we've got already,
12:35very proud of the team that will be elected,
12:38and people such as Bridge and Gav, of course, strengthens an already very strong team.
12:46Labor has made calls to cross-bentures.
12:48What do you make of them putting government together?
12:51Look, when it comes to Mr Winter, the lowest Labor vote for over a century,
13:01and he made some very clear commitments.
13:03He has no mandate to govern with the Greens,
13:08because he said he would do no deals.
13:11And Tasmanians would look on that very poorly.
13:15And that, in my view, is an integrity issue.
13:18But what I can say is that Mr Winter has said today
13:22that we should be given the first opportunity to govern.
13:27That's exactly what I intend to do.
13:29I will get on with the job, and I will be going to the Governor,
13:32to seek a recommissioning of our government.
13:36When will you be doing that?
13:38We will wait till the outcome of the votes and when they're all counted,
13:44and can I thank very much the Australian or Tasmanian Electoral Commission
13:48for all the work they've done to date
13:51and all the work that they've got to do
13:54over the course of the next week or two.
13:56Would you consider Labor an illegitimate government
14:00considering they only have ten seats and their vote went backwards?
14:06Well, I'll let commentators make up their mind on that.
14:14I would believe that Tasmanians would look very poorly on a Premier
14:21that made key commitments not to do any deals with the Greens
14:25and reneged on that deal and that commitment.
14:31And I think and I believe very strongly that with the lowest primary vote
14:37for over a century, no increase in seats,
14:41but also a government that has increased its vote in terms of the Liberal Party
14:47with at least the same number of seats.
14:50And as Mr Winter said, he will give me the opportunity first to form government
14:56and that's exactly what I intend to do and to get on with the job.
14:59Do you believe that at least two anti-stadium crossbenchers
15:02for government? Are you willing to compromise on the stadium to win them over?
15:06Look, as I've said previously, Bec, you know, two-thirds of Tasmanians voted for pro-stadium candidates.
15:15And so, you know, again, we'll have a majority of pro-stadium members of parliament in the parliament.
15:25Of course, it's up to every member of parliament to thoroughly scrutinise legislation
15:30that goes through the parliament, whether that be our health system,
15:33education system, integrity, whatever the case may be,
15:38including enabling legislation such as the stadium legislation.
15:42And so everyone has a right to, will have a say and has a right to have a say.
15:49Were you willing to go into opposition before abandoning your plans for the stadium?
15:54Look, I made, my views have been very clear from day one.
16:00I have not resiled and always been very firm on my views
16:06about what I believe is the best interest of Tasmania.
16:11I believe in a whole range of areas.
16:15My focus over the course of the campaign was health, was education,
16:20was community safety, was our economy.
16:23And that remains to be my focus.
16:26And, you know, good governments can be committed to all those essential services
16:32that Tasmanians care deeply about, but while continuing to invest in the future.
16:38And as I said last night, I've always been a member of parliament and a premier
16:44that will always vote for something, not against something.
16:50And when you vote for something, you look forward and that's what secures Tasmania's future.
16:56So my question though, would you be willing to go into opposition before abandoning your plans for the stadium?
17:01Well, I won't be abandoning my plans for the stadium.
17:04Even if it takes you into opposition?
17:05Well, I won't be abandoning my plans for the stadium.
17:09And we have a Labor Party that also supports the stadium.
17:13Would you consider this in the special legislation and stick to a post-process?
17:18Look, we're on a pathway.
17:21There are very clear timelines that we need to meet.
17:24The post-process and the consultation has been ongoing actually throughout the campaign.
17:32And in fact, many of the information that's been provided, of course,
17:37would ease many Tasmanians' minds with some of the key concerns they may well have had.
17:42So we're committed to move forward with enabling legislation.
17:47There are clear timelines.
17:48And again, two thirds of Tasmanians voted for pro-stadium candidates.
17:54If the process is going to compromise, what then?
17:58Well, it's upon all members of parliament that are elected
18:03to work with the parliament and the will of the people of Tasmania.
18:08Do you think now is a good time to pull back on Liberal spending?
18:13Well, we're committed to, of course, exactly what we took to the last election,
18:20which ended yesterday.
18:22We've got a very clear plan to deliver a united team, the leadership,
18:28to get on with that job.
18:29And that's exactly what we will do.
18:31And our commitments that we made, Alison, to the last election,
18:35of course, did not increase debt by one single dollar.
18:40And so I look forward to implementing all our key initiatives.
18:44And, of course, particularly those in health and education.
18:49Was it quite critical of independence?
18:51Do you think that was a mistake?
18:56Well, no, that was about ensuring that we had,
19:01should independence be elected, ones that were not just single issues
19:07independence, but ones that had a broad range of views
19:11and willing to be pragmatic and willing to work with a government
19:17that has been elected.
19:20And we're willing to do the same.
19:22Well, as I said before, Bec, I made every effort in the last 16 months
19:33to work with individual members of the crossbench.
19:36I worked very well with key independents such as David O'Byrne,
19:41and I congratulate David for retaining his seat.
19:45And, of course, we'll continue that strong engagement on an individual basis,
19:52as I did.
19:53We had many meetings.
19:54We didn't always agree.
19:56Sometimes we agreed to disagree.
19:58But at the end of the day, the Tasmanian people expect a government
20:01to get on with a job and for the parliament that was elected
20:05to be mature in its approach, pragmatic,
20:08but also work in the best interests of all Tasmanians.
20:23With respect, Bec, we are here because Dean Winter forced an election.
20:27With the support of the crossbench?
20:28Dean Winter...
20:29With the support of the crossbench, you need to be able to work with the crossbench.
20:31What are you going to do with the crossbench?
20:33Bec, I work with the crossbench, and there are a number of crossbenchers
20:36that actually did not support the very personalised no-confidence motion.
20:42So there's also a number that didn't?
20:44And a number that didn't.
20:46And, you know, Mr Garland has said he would approach things a little differently.
20:51So I'm looking forward to working with the crossbench,
20:57whoever is elected, in a very mature, measured, of course,
21:05a good engaging way, because Tasmanians expect this parliament
21:10to provide four years of certainty, stability,
21:15and that's exactly why I'm committed to getting on with the job.
21:19Can you change the start from native forest robbing or the aquaculture industry?
21:23That means any support?
21:25I won't be compromising key held values that I have.
21:31And again, the parliament, the majority of the parliament, of course,
21:36support key industry sectors.
21:39And the parliament is a reflection of the will of people.
21:43And I look forward to growing our economy, supporting key industries,
21:48and, in turn, investing in those essential services that all Tasmanians care about,
21:54better hospitals, better schools, community safety,
21:57and, of course, ensuring that fundamental right of every single Tasmanian
22:01is to be safe and have a roof over their head.
22:04All right. Thanks, everyone.
22:06Thank you very much.
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