Continuing with the fractured theme, but this time with a political flavour as Tasmanians finally learned the result of the July 19 election today. This was the election we didn’t need to have but thanks to the stubborn belligerence and arrogance of both premier Rockliff, and Labor leader Winter - who called for (and won) a vote of no confidence in Mr Rockliff, appeared unsure of what to do next. Sigh.
Convention should have seen the premier resign, but that didn’t happen. A snap election was called – a mere 16 months after the one last year, and two months after the federal election we had in May – which impressed nobody. Winter election campaigns in Tasmania are no fun which is why they rarely happen. I can only remember a federal election being called in the chilly season, and I as headed for the UK, I missed most of it anyway, so this one was not welcomed.
If Mr Rockliff anticipated a decisive win for the Liberals, and a majority government, he’s been disappointed. Likewise for Mr Winter. The primary vote for both major parties descended even further than it did last year. The Greens’ vote went up – and so did support for Independents. Tasmanians have voted for an interesting line-up of MPs, so it will be fascinating to learn when and if Messrs Rockliff and Winter finally park their respective prejudices and pick up the phone to speak with both the Greens leader, Rosalie Woodruff, and the new-minted crossbench – only one of which supports the building of a new stadium. This is the issue that arguably we had to all head back to the polls for, along with the stuff-up about ferries, their inadequate berths, and a controversial budget that would have seen public assets sold off to pay for (possibly) the contentious stadium around 70 per cent of Tasmanians don’t want, and know full well we cannot afford.
What a dog’s breakfast, as a former library colleague of mine was fond of saying.
I certainly don’t envy those elected MPs having to navigate their way through the controversial minefield of issues facing Tasmania, and despite being a support candidate for Greens MP Cecily Rosol I’m still amazed I secured as many votes as I did – 1,684 from memory – but that was my finale as a support candidate. Four times is enough. Fingers crossed this parliament will last the 4-year distance, but it will certainly be a bumpy ride unless those egotistical and elitist chaps decide to work for the benefit of Tasmania and Tasmanians – not themselves, as I said in the letter below which was – surprise, surprise – printed today.
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The Mercury 2 Aug 2025
Pick up the phone
"Time and again though, this Liberal government just can't be trusted when it comes to the big moments that shape our future. Tasmanians deserve better."
So said Labor leader Dean Winter in a publicly released letter to Acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff on July 30. And Mr Winter is quite right.
Tasmanians do deserve better. And they deserve better from Mr Winter as well. In fact Tasmanians would welcome both men ceasing to behave like spoiled two-year-olds, and acknowledge neither can become premier without the support of the Greens and those progressive crossbench MPs. So would one - or preferably both of you - please pick up the phone and talk to Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff, and others on the crossbench.
Tasmanians deserve to be spared from another dysfunctional parliament, and four more years of Liberal mismanagement and stuff-ups. And we absolutely don't need, nor can we afford, yet another early election. Now it's up to you to get on with working with all of those elected MPs, whatever their political persuasion and background.
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