Dr WOODRUFF (Franklin – Leader of the Greens) – Honourable Speaker, as members of this place and participants in a Westminster democracy, I had expected that all members would hold a deep respect for parliament and its conventions.
Disturbingly, in recent days we have seen that is not the case. After weeks of mounting pressure on former treasurer, Michael Ferguson, on Sunday, the Independent Member for Franklin, David O’Byrne, announced he did not have confidence in Mr Ferguson. This announcement made the prospect of a successful no-confidence motion very real. In fact, it looked nearly inevitable that motion would pass. Government minister and leader of government business in the House, Eric Abetz, was asked by media about the no-confidence motion. His response was equal parts baffling and alarming.
Minister Abetz said no-confidence motions were ‘a political stunt’. He said they were ‘of no consequence’ and he also said, ‘even if a motion of no-confidence were to be passed in him, there will be no need for Mr Ferguson to resign and I would encourage him not to resign’. That is baffling, it is alarming and it shows a dripping disdain for parliament and long‑standing Westminster conventions.
No wonder the Premier intervened at an emergency press conference the next day and clarified Mr Ferguson would resign if a no-confidence motion passed. This morning Mr Rockliff told parliament:
I’ve seen many times in this place since 23 March that the will of the parliament will and must be respected. We have debated legislation and motions in this place and the outcome has not always aligned with the views of members on this side of the Chamber, but it is the will of the parliament and the people elected the parliament, therefore it is the will of the people’
Mr Eric Abetz must not have been listening when Jeremy Rockliff made that statement. To his credit, the Premier clearly understands how serious this matter is. He is not the only one. Yesterday, Professor Richard Herr told ABC radio:
I’m afraid Eric needs to go back to Pol. Sci. 101because it isn’t a political stunt, it’s genuinely serious.
When we asked Mr Eric Abetz about this today, he tried to defend himself by referring to a quote from The Australian that said, he was ‘technically correct’. Let us read that full quote from Matthew Denholm in context. He said:
Abetz was technically correct. Such a vote is not legally binding. However, to flout the will of parliament would have been an assault on long-standing convention and the Westminster system in itself.
That is the critical point we are making, honourable Speaker. Denholm’s piece went on to call Abetz’s approach belligerent and said it would have ‘further destabilised the government’, and he credits Jeremy Rockliff for taking a pragmatic and responsible approach. We agree, the Premier deserves credit for intervening and sticking out for our parliament and Westminster tradition, but what of Mr Eric Abetz? This morning, we gave him every opportunity to retract his statement. He did not do so. Instead, he simply said he would ‘Fall in line with the Premier’s position’.
It is obvious that Eric Abetz has palpable contempt for this parliament and disregard for the foundational conventions of our system of government. Nobody like that should hold the role of leader of government business, let alone be Attorney-General.
It is over to Premier Rockliff. He did the right thing yesterday by assuring us the will of the parliament and the will of the people would be respected. We need him to hold the line. Premier, you get to decide your ministry. Respect this parliament please. Do not reward Eric Abetz’s shocking attitude by making him the Attorney-General.
