Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
On Sunday it became clear that the prospect of a successful no‑confidence motion was very real. In response, one of your senior ministers made some stunning remarks. Eric Abetz said no‑confidence motions were nothing more than a ‘political stunt of no consequence’. 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’.
This dripping disdain for parliament and our longstanding Westminster conventions prompted you to intervene at an emergency press conference the next day and you promised that Mr Ferguson would resign in such an event. Given Mr Abetz’s palpable contempt for parliament, will you use your cabinet reshuffle to remove him as leader of government business? Given his clear disregard for our system of government and its foundational conventions, will you rule out making him the Attorney-General?
Mr Winter – Turns out you are the conservative one in this government.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Me?
Mr Winter – Looks like it.
The SPEAKER – The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting, as the Leader of the Greens, who has already asked her question, wishes to hear an answer.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I look forward to consulting with my colleagues on a way forward for new positions within the Cabinet. I am very fortunate that I have such a capable team, whose lived experience across a range of areas I can draw on. I am not going to speculate in the Chamber today on those positions. I will say, however, what an outstanding job Mr Abetz is doing with his responsibilities. I receive very strong stakeholder endorsement –
Dr Woodruff – You had to step in and contradict him, did you not?
Mr ROCKLIFF – on Mr Abetz’s application to the very important task that he has. I made my statement very clearly yesterday. I have said 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 view 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – I listened closely. Premier, can you confirm how a person who has contempt for the will of the parliament should be the leader of government business?
The SPEAKER – It probably is a different question. It draws to the significant obligation of all members to be aware of their roles and responsibilities in this place. If the Premier wishes to add to his answer, I will allow him to do so.
I ask all members to reflect on the fact that the traditions and obligations of the forms of this House and the Westminster system do have a measure of being enforced. Premier, do you wish to add to your answer?
Dr Woodruff – I did contain all that information in my original question. It is a restatement of the original question, which the Premier did not respond to.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I answered the question.
The SPEAKER – I believe he said that he was not going to advise until he had finished his consultation on the new makeup. I am sure we will have ample opportunity to reflect upon who will appointed to particular roles.
Dr Woodruff – I certainly hope he does.
