Liberals present draft 'stability agreement' to Tasmanian crossbenchers as Labor wins 10th seat in Franklin

Australia Broadcast Center

22-07-2025

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has presented a draft "stability agreement" to newly elected independent crossbenchers as he seeks support for a minority Liberal government following Saturday's election.
As counting continues, the Liberals have locked in at least 14 seats in the new parliament, the most of any party — but still short of the 18 needed for a majority.
Labor has won at least 10 seats, after gaining the final spot in the electorate of Franklin, according to ABC chief elections and data analyst Casey Briggs.
At least four independents have also been elected — previous MPs David O'Byrne, Kristie Johnston, and Craig Garland, as well as newcomer Peter George.
Carlo Di Falco from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party also has a chance to gain a seat in Lyons.
Mr Rockliff said he is seeking feedback from each on a draft stability agreement.
"And I look forward to meeting with key independents over the course of the next number of days to ensure that I can get their feedback on how what I have presented as a draft can be further improved upon as well."
Saturday's snap poll took place after Labor last month moved a successful no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff, including in his ability to improve the state's soaring debt level.
Mr Rockliff said his draft stability agreement would allow the co-development of parliamentary protocols and would feature a "multi-partisan budget panel".
"So we can have good discussions prior to the budget and have everyone's input on that," he said.
The agreement would also feature "ministerial consultation protocols" and a "crossbench liaison office".
The ABC has contacted the elected crossbenchers for their response to Mr Rockliff's approach.
Mr Garland, who has been re-elected in the seat of Braddon, said he was pleased to receive the draft agreement and was actively considering it.
Earlier on Wednesday, he told ABC Radio Hobart the major parties needed to be open to collaboration if they wanted his support.
"Well, there's a lot of talk, and then in the same breath, I hear [them say] 'We're not moving on salmon. We're not moving on native forest logging'.
He said he wanted to be included in "budget repair" and the "development of policy".
"Those two things, I think, are absolutely crucial with the talk of compromise and working together.
"We have to be at the table to have input into that, I think."
Other crossbenchers have not yet responded to the ABC. But on Monday, Mr George, who will represent Franklin, posted a video on Facebook in which he suggested the major parties needed to be more flexible in their approach with crossbenchers.
"One area of concern is that Labor and Liberal seem to have drawn lines in the sand, saying we won't talk about this, we are going to insist on that," Mr George said.
"Well, that's not how minority government works, that' certainly not how collaboration works.
"So, a slight warning there, but we will deal with this down the track."
A spokesperson said Labor was "working on a similar document but won't be releasing anything publicly before consulting with the cross bench and receiving their feedback".
On election night, the party's leader, Dean Winter, indicated he would try to form a minority government if Mr Rockliff was unable to garner enough support from the crossbench.