The last Liberal state in Australia is set for minority government as two MPs quit amid concerns over building an AFL stadium in Hobart.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Bass MP Lara Alexander and Lyons MP John Tucker resigned from the Liberal Party to sit as independents on Friday.
Both have aired concerns about state debt and government transparency around the planned $715 million Macquarie Point Stadium, with Mr Tucker also taking issue with the Bass Strait Marinus Link transmission project.
"I've always been brought up to be honest and if something isn't right, stand up," Mr Tucker told reporters in Launceston.
Ms Alexander said she hoped constituents who had voted for her purely on a party basis would understand it was a difficult decision.
"I have to be truthful to what I believe in," she said.
The resignations will up-end the Tasmanian Liberals' tight majority, leaving Premier Jeremy Rockliff to lead a government with 11 out of 25 seats in the House of Assembly.
The construction of a new stadium in Hobart - a condition of the AFL awarding Tasmania a team licence to join the league - has been a contentious issue as the city struggles with a housing crisis.
The state's net debt, which has risen from $1.5 billion in 2021/22 to $3b in 2022/23, is expected to reach more than $5.2b in 2025/26.
Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander said they would not support a vote of no confidence in the government but it remained a possibility.
"I don't envisage that that will happen, that's what we are thinking but who knows what the future will hold?" Mr Tucker said.
"We're not planning on bringing the government down, if that's what you're asking us."
Australian Associated Press
