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Rockliff admits defeat is possible in no-confidence vote
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff appeared to concede in State Parliament that he may not have the numbers to survive the no-confidence motion, telling colleagues he will “fight to my last breath” to keep the government delivering for Tasmania.
“This day, it might not end well for me, but this day will define you,” Mr Rockliff said.
Labor leader Dean Winter has led the push for the no-confidence motion, citing concerns over Rockliff’s budget management and securing support from key crossbench MPs.
Rockliff slams Winter’s ‘weak leadership’ in no-confidence debate
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, addressing parliament during the no-confidence debate, has lashed out at opposition leader Dean Winter, calling him a “weak leader” and accusing him of “reckless behaviour.”
“I, hand on heart, can say to you that I have fought more for vulnerable people in this place than the Labor Party could ever dream of,” Mr Rockliff said.
He added, “You demonstrated by your reckless behaviour today and your weak leadership decided that you are more important than Tasmanians.”
Rockliff also claimed Winter’s actions had put “so much at risk”.
The no-confidence motion comes as Rockliff’s minority government faces mounting criticism over budget management and major infrastructure projects.
Defence Chief pledges ‘frank advice’ on budget hike calls
Australia’s Defence Chief on Wednesday pledged to give “frank” advice to the Government on spending as it comes under increasing pressure to hike the defence budget to deal with growing strategic threats.
But Admiral David Johnston sidestepped a direct question on whether the nation should significantly hike its defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP in the face of US demands to do so.
“Defence is fully expending its budget at the moment,” he said, adding that the ADF was currently undergoing a biennial review of its investment requirements.
“That’s where it’s my job … to give government that frank advice and a view of what we need to be doing,” he told a major defence conference hosted by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in Canberra.
Ley calls for ‘fair go’ on Trump steel tariffs
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the US to grant Australia the same exemption from Donald Trump’s steel tariffs that the UK secured, warning the new 50 per cent levy is unfair to Australian producers.
In a statement Ley said, “We note that the United Kingdom has been able to secure an exemption from the latest American steel tariffs and we stand ready to work with the Albanese government to ensure Australia can achieve the same outcome.”
She added, “President Trump’s tariffs on our steelmakers are not in the spirit of our century-old partnership and we urge the Americans to give Australia a fair go and remove them.”
Ms Ley made her remarks in response to the White House announcement on X confirming Trump’s proclamation that the tariffs on steel and aluminium are about to increase from 25 to 50 per cent.
PM says Australia needs to be more conscious of the health impacts of combat sport
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has agreed that bare-knuckle boxing is “disgusting”, telling breakfast radio in WA Australia needs to be more conscious of the health impacts of such sports.
Speaking to Triple M Perth about the proposed event, host Katie Lamb said: “I think it’s disgusting” to which the MP responded: “Yeah, it’s kind of yeah, a bit crazy. And concussion is such a big issue,” Mr Albanese said.
His comments marks the latest in a long list of critics for the proposed Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Perth card in July, with the WA Government facing intense scrutiny.
Mr Albanse spoke about meetings he’d had with former athletes, including ex-NRL player Mark “Spudd” Carroll, adding: “some of those people are really doing it tough” and “I just think we’ve got to be much more conscious about health issues”.
Albanese defends cliché Valentine’s Day proposal to fiancée Jodie Haydon
Anthony Albanese has defended suggestions using Valentine’s Day to propose to fiancée Jodie Haydon was “lazy” and lacking originality.
Speaking on Perth’s Mix 94.5 radio station, the PM was asked why he didn’t pick another day more personal to his relationship rather than the love-filled day for everyone.
“Now, I will never forget, nor will Jodie, the day I proposed,” he said.
A host asked him: “Is it romantic? Or is it lazy?”
“So, what? We’re gonna have Christmas day not on December 25th each year? It’s about love.”
Winter moves no-confidence motion against Rockliff
Tasmanian opposition leader Dean Winter has formally moved his no-confidence motion in state parliament, citing concerns over Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s leadership.
“The House has had deep concerns about the direction that this premier is taking us,” Mr Winter said.
“The instability of this Government is the fault of one person, the premier of Tasmania. Now, the House has already let its views be known publicly and yet the Premier still sits here. The debate is very important today.”
Leadership tensions linger as Waters says she ‘can’t remember’ Cox clash
Greens leader Larissa Waters says she “can’t remember” whether former First Nations spokeswoman Dorinda Cox told her to “grow a spine” during a heated exchange at last month’s leadership ballot.
Speaking to Channel Nine, Ms Waters did not deny the incident, saying, “Well, look, in all honesty, I can’t remember that. But there was a lot going on that day, and I, you know, I am a conciliatory sort of person, but I’m also pretty firm.”
Asked about bullying allegations against Senator Cox, Ms Waters said she “wasn’t involved” in any investigations, adding, “Obviously I wasn’t leader at the time.”
Tasmanian Greens back no-confidence motion against Rockliff
Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has confirmed her party will support Labor’s no-confidence motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s leadership.
“I have spoken to the Leader of the Opposition Dean Winter and informed him that the Greens will support Labor’s motion of No Confidence in Jeremy Rockliff’s leadership,” Woodruff posted on X.
“I have informed the Premier.”
PM raises Donald Trump’s unique speech pattern ahead of his sideline G7 meeting
Anthony Albanese has told Perth’s 96 FM this morning he’s looking forward to meeting Donald Trump on the sideline on the G7, which would mark his first meeting with the US leader.
“I’ve had three phone conversations with him and they’ve been really good conversations. They’ve been constructive. And of course, he has a particular style of speech,” Mr Albanese said.
“There’s lots of adjectives that he uses to describe things, there’s never half measures.”
When it was suggested to “hit him with some Australian slang”, the Prime Minister asked: “What do you reckon, ‘g’day mate?’.
