Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Your decision to consider privatising all but one of Tasmania’s government businesses has been widely condemned. You have no mandate from Tasmanians for this reckless move. You often seem to forget your government is in minority. Let us help you with the brutal mathematics. The Greens are fundamentally opposed to privatisation. We have heard Labor, Kristie Johnston and Andrew Jenner categorically oppose it too. That is 17. Mr O’Byrne has expressed scepticism and we are yet to hear from Mr Garland. It is looking like your sell‑off agenda may be dead on arrival.
Will you read the writing on the wall and abandon this push before you waste precious time and money? If not, will you rule out making any deals to secure the votes you need for privatisation?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I will not be taking advice from the Greens. The Labor Party took advice from the Greens between 2010 and 2014 and that did not go well –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order, members on my right can also mind their behavior today.
Mr ROCKLIFF – and here we are 11 years later, you are still a policy-free zone apart from wanting to charge levies – increased charges for Tasmanians –
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of order, Speaker, Standing Order 45, relevance. The Premier is talking to the Opposition. The Greens asked this question. Has he done the numbers and is he going to do any deals?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – The only person the Premier should be responding to is the House through the Speaker. I will draw him to the question. Who he physically turns to is a matter for himself, I am afraid.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you, honourable Speaker, for that sensible ruling. I am going to continue doing what is best for Tasmania, putting bold reforms on the table in the best interests of Tasmania.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order, interjections from brand new members should be taken very carefully.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Alright, I am not going to squib it. I am not going to have a scare campaign over here because when the Leader of the Opposition over there –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order, member for Franklin, Ms Brown, and member for Clark, Mr Willie. Mr Willie, you are actually now warned for your first warning. I suggest your interjections, if you are going to make them, be much shorter than that.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition squibbed it. He had the opportunity to stand up and take a lead from the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), which actually wanted some constructive debate. We are about putting bold reform on the table for measured discussion. Here you are at the crossbench where you can have some influence on that policy. I recognise that, as you all did last year, where it was the most constructive parliament in over two decades and you can still – apart from you lot – you can still have an influence in a constructive way on the outcome of what I put on the table on Tuesday – for the benefit of the people you claim to represent and all of us represent. Why would we not?
Members interjecting
The SPEAKER – Members on my left, I cannot hear the answer. I am sure Dr Woodruff would like to hear it so she can do her supplementary.
Mr ROCKLIFF – And why would we not, in a very sensible and measured way, want the community to be engaged in a discussion on bold policy reforms that can set up Tasmania for the future? You squibbed it. Others may well be more constructive, but this lot over here chose not to be in government.
The SPEAKER – The time to answer the question has expired.
Premier and Leader of the Opposition, you are both granted a great deal of latitude because of your positions, but both of you will adhere to the Standing Orders. I do not mind throwing a leader out. I will hear the Leader of the Greens on her supplementary question.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – Speaker, the Premier did not go anywhere near the question on the numbers. You do not have the numbers to pass this legislation, it appears. What are you going to do? Are you going to abandon it? Or are you going to do deals to get it passed?
The SPEAKER – I have an understanding. I think the Premier has made it clear he will do whatever it takes. If the Premier wishes to add to that, he may do so. Otherwise the supplementary has probably been answered already. Premier, are you comfortable with your answer?
Mr ROCKLIFF – I am comfortable with my answer because I have just said we would work together.
Dr Woodruff – That wasn’t the question. You did not go anywhere near it.
Mr Rockliff – I thought you wanted a minority parliament; now you do not.
The SPEAKER – There is no conversation across the Chamber. Dr Woodruff will have time for another question.
