Rogue MPs who plunged Tasmanian Liberal government into minority stay mute ahead of budget – ABC News
Two members of parliament, who quit as Liberals citing concerns about a lack of transparency on the part of the Tasmanian government, have given a radio interview in which they gave very little away about how they'll play their hands when parliament returns next week.
John Tucker and Lara Alexander held a media conference to announce their resignations from the Tasmanian Liberals last Friday, and followed it up with media interviews early in the week.
They were then silent for several days.
They broke that silence at 5pm yesterdaywith an interview on ABC Radio Drive.
Unlike the interviews they gave at the time they announced their resignations, this time they had very little to say.
The government, which was plunged into minority after losing the two backbenchers, is now in a precarious situation.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff, however, says he is "confident" he would survive a motion of no confidence in parliament.
He said he had been having "productive discussions" with Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander throughout the week.
"I believe I have the support of Lara and John," he said on Friday.
But while the "productive discussions" appear to have left Mr Rockliff feeling confident about surviving a motion of no confidence something Labor has flagged its intention to bring on when parliament sits on Tuesday the details of those discussions are anybody's guess.
Mr Tucker said he and Ms Alexander had been "working cooperatively with the premier and we'll be making a comprehensive statement in the near future".
He repeated that line five times, in response to questions about whether the premier had his support and whether he would support the state budget aspects he was willing to confirm a week ago.
He repeated the second part of that that a comprehensive statement would be made in the near future, twice more.
Ms Alexander said at 5pm on Friday "right now at this time of the day it's probably not the right time to discuss any details" of the pair's discussions with Mr Rockliff.
"It's very difficult for me to go into the specific details, but, having said that full transparency and of discussions and that will be made very clear when the time comes," she said.
Mr Tucker previously said he wouldn't support or instigate a motion of no confidence, and Ms Alexander said a week ago that she wouldn't instigate such a motion, but she didn't rule out supporting one brought by someone else.
She told ABC Hobart Drive a week later that "if the vote of no confidence in the premier is going to destabilise the government, well, obviously it's not what we're about and it's a bit difficult now to talk about hypothetical motions as well, or anything that will come forward next week".
Her position on the budget has also been something of a mixed bag, initially saying she would guarantee supply, then that she would vote against a budget that included funding for the Macquarie Point stadium, then in the most recent interview that "we will need to have a little bit more of a discussion there around the stadium funding".
Here are the steps to get breaking news alerts on the latest Tasmanian stories directly to your phone.
Download the ABC News app Apple App Store | Google Play
Mr Tucker diverted from his script to say "I haven't seen the budget so I'm not prepared to make a statement until I've seen the budget".
It's not clear whether the two new independents will provide the details of their discussions with Mr Rockliff and what may or may not have been agreed to before parliament returns on Tuesday.
Ms Alexander and Mr Tucker's evasive answers on radio prompted text messages from listeners who questioned why they even went on radio.
Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander had a responsibility to to the Tasmanian people to be up-front about their discussions with the premier.
"It's odd that you might effectively blow up a government over transparency concerns, and seven days later not have been transparent about your negotiations with the premier of a minority government," Ms O'Connor said.
"To leave it to the day before parliament or on the floor of the house is untenable and we don't think it's particularly honourable. We're seven days in now, it is more then enough time now we need to hear what it is."
Some skerricks of information did drop out during Friday's radio interview, however. Ms Alexander said she had not seen the deal the government has signed with the AFL something she has been calling for.
She also said it had been a "very difficult week".
Mr Tucker said he would "never say never" when asked if he would return to the Liberal Party.
Ms Alexander said she had no intention of doing so.
They both said they believed they would be able to ask questions during parliamentary question time. They both said they had not been offered the Speaker of the House role.
Mr Tucker also said he had received during the week a briefing on the Marinus link project.
His concerns about that project were among the reasons he cited for quitting the party.
He said that briefing had raised more questions for him.
A week on from the bombshell resignations, however, Tasmanians are left wondering as the two new independents hold their cards close to their chests.
Set the ABC News website or the app to "TasmaniaTop Stories"from either the homepage or the settings menu in the appto continue getting the same national news but with a sprinkle of more relevant state stories.
Here's a taste of the latest stories from Tasmania
Continued here:
Rogue MPs who plunged Tasmanian Liberal government into minority stay mute ahead of budget - ABC News
- Liberals' fiscal watchdog nominee vows to hold government's 'feet to the fire' - CBC - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- For the good of the country, Liberals and Conservatives must work together - University of Calgary - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Slovenias ruling liberals win slim lead over conservatives - TVP World - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Pauline Hanson wants to work with Liberals and Nationals to defeat Labor but rules out official coalition - The Guardian - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Liberals, NDP defeat Tory bill on parole reform at second reading - Western Standard - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- The Liberals SA implosion could happen on the federal level - The New Daily - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- In South Australia One Nation surges and the Liberals slide but the shake-up has limits - Pearls and Irritations - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- For the Liberals, the SA election will be both an end and a beginning - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- Canadas Liberals closer to a majority government after another opposition defection - AP News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Byelections could tip Liberals to a majority will it matter in dealing with Trump? - National Post - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is retiring, giving liberals chance to expand majority - Yahoo - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Canada's Liberals closer to a majority government after another opposition defection - abcnews.com - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is retiring, giving liberals chance to expand majority - AP News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- NDP MP Lori Idlout switches allegiance to the Liberals, inching Carney nearer to a majority. - stl.news - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Hundreds of Muslim organizations tell Liberals they oppose anti-hate bill - National Post - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- NDP MP Lori Idlout to cross the floor to Liberals - Toronto Star - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Liberals, Bloc force Bill C-9 Combating Hate Act through objections to removal of religious text defence continue - Catholic Saskatoon News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Canada's Liberals closer to a majority government after another opposition defection - guardonline.com - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- New Spark poll has the Liberals opening big lead over the Conservatives, making up ground in Alberta and Saskatchewan - iPolitics - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- The National | NDP MP joining Liberals - CBC - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- In the news: Nunavut MP Idlout join Liberals, Carney edges closer to majority - Penticton Herald - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- How a byelection in Quebec could help the Liberals win a majority government - CBC - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Rebuilding the Young Liberals of Canada: Why its time for a Renaissance - iPolitics - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- NDP MP Lori Idlout Defects to Liberals, Narrowing Gap to Majority - thedeepdive.ca - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crosses floor from NDP to Liberals - EverythingGP - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- CTV National News: NDP MP Lori Idlout crosses the floor to the Liberals - CTV News - March 11th, 2026 [March 11th, 2026]
- Gwen Stefanis Maga Barbie transformation has infuriated liberals - Yahoo - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Carney calls byelection in riding that could give Liberals a majority - MSN - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Moira Deeming, an eight-minute meeting and the latest flashpoint in the battle within the Victorian Liberals - The Guardian - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Liberals move to end Conservative filibuster over religious exemption to hate speech laws - The Globe and Mail - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- Will the Liberals gain a majority from the upcoming three byelections? - CTV News - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- SA Liberals to preference One Nation over ALP as Bernardi comments condemned - ABC News - March 9th, 2026 [March 9th, 2026]
- If liberals want to beat populism, they need to get tough heres how - The Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Its not only the election review the Liberals want to keep hidden - The Guardian - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Andrew Griffith: The stakeholders who cheered on the Liberals' devastating immigration expansion - National Post - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The election review the Liberals didnt want you to see Full Story podcast - The Guardian - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Zempilas tells right-wing conference Liberals must win back 'lost Australians' - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The Liberals have muzzled the federal fiscal watchdog - The Globe and Mail - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Conservatives underestimate the environmental impact of sustainable behaviors compared to liberals - PsyPost - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals place motion on notice paper to speed up Bill C-9 - iPolitics - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals reach 49% voter support and the party's biggest lead in 10 years: Leger poll - Yahoo News Canada - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals to cut CBC by $192-million in 2026-27 - The Hill Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The real problem facing Church of England liberals - The Spectator - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- What are Labor and the Liberals offering for you this SA election? - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The stakeholders who cheered on the Liberals' devastating immigration expansion: Andrew Griffith in the National Post - The Macdonald-Laurier... - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals going digital to bring new life to party brand - The Canberra Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The rise (and rise again) of the zombie liberals - Prospect Magazine - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- All about choice? Liberals move childcare battlelines to vouchers for nannies and grandparents - The Guardian - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Bell: Carney goes squishy on strikes at Iran as poll shows Liberals hate them - Calgary Herald - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Quebec Liberals call for suspension of constitution process until after election - Montreal Gazette - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Support for sovereignty nosedives, leaving Quebec Liberals and PQ in dead heat: poll - Yahoo News Canada - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Liberals and Conservatives get it wrong on nominations in held ridings, yet again - The Hill Times - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Afternoon Update: Trumps war on Iran under fire; PM tables Liberals leaked election review; and how to see the blood moon eclipse - The Guardian - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Liberals idea of diversity - The College Fix - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Jamie Sarkonak: Even Liberals know their immigration plan, and minister, are duds - Yahoo News Canada - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- The Climate Cant Wait for the Liberals to Take it Seriously - tasgreensmps.org - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Going once, going twice, sold! What's on offer this election from Labor and Liberals to fix the housing crisis - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Hope and no worries after poll shows narrowing gap between Quebec Liberals and PQ - Montreal Gazette - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Liberals move forward with nominations as election talk ramps up - The Globe and Mail - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Crunching the numbers needed for the Liberals to move from minority to majority - iPolitics - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Liberals ascend to 13-point lead in vote intention as Canadians continue to demand hard line on U.S. trade - Angus Reid Institute - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Liberals' omnibus budget bill passes final hurdle in the House of Commons - CBC - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Four years on: Liberals stand up for Ukraine stronger than ever - ALDE Party - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Carney and Liberals open widest lead over Poilievre Conservatives in wake of tariff threats and Conservative defection. (Nanos) Nanos Research -... - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Opposition parties back changes to status rules in Indian Act, Liberals say not yet - The Spec - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Carneys Liberals Take Another Step Toward a Majority Government - Bloomberg - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Another Canadian Conservative lawmaker defects to Carneys governing Liberals - AP News - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Opinion | Liberals exploited public housing. That must stop. - The Washington Post - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Liberals extend Inuit Child First Initiative for 1 year, again - Nunatsiaq News - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses floor to Liberals - The Globe and Mail - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Liberals add third Conservative floor-crosser, setting up potentially decisive byelections - iPolitics - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Edmonton Riverbend community reacts to MP joining Liberals - MSN - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- A 3rd floor-crosser puts Liberals on brink of majority. Are more coming? - CBC - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- How Ontario Liberals hope to exit political wilderness when they elect new leader in November - CBC - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Video: Carney meets with Jeneroux after Alberta MP leaves Conservatives to join Liberals - The Globe and Mail - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals - National Post - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- EXCLUSIVE POLL: Carney Liberals on the heels of Conservatives in Alberta - Western Standard - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Whats Behind the Centrists Resistance to the Resistance Liberals? - The New Republic - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Liberals clash over AOC's word salad on Taiwan, arguing 'that answer was terrible and you know it - Yahoo - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Sussan Ley is todays scapegoat - but she was never the Liberals core problem | Tony Barry - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]