AFTER losing a vote-of-confidence in the Tasmanian Parliament last Thursday [6 June] state premier Jeremy Rockliff has moved to rule out any proposed privatisation of government business enterprises, including TT Line.
Mr Rockliff, who is expected to call a snap election later today, has also cancelled the second tranche of work by economist Saul Eslake who has been undertaking studies to identify strategic and reasonable divestment of some GBEs to return to surplus sooner.
And a plan to merge TasRail, TasPorts and TT Line has also been ruled out.
The Labor Party brought on the no-confidence vote last week and was supported by the Greens and some Independents to carry the motion 18-17. The Liberal Parry could choose to elect a new leader to replace Mr Rockliff, with some favouring current transport minister and political veteran Eric Abetz, but Mr Rockliff has made it clear he favours a fresh poll, just 15 months after the last state election.
Mr Rockliff said his decision to rule out privatisation followed the business community’s call for the Parliament to have a mature, sensible conversation about it.
“It’s clear [Labor leader Dean] Winter is incapable of having a mature conversation.
“Labor has forced this early election on the deceitful campaign that our Government intends to divest government-owned businesses – before Mr Eslake's work is even completed,” Mr Rockliff said.
“Given this, we are ceasing that process now. It is over. There will be no privatisation of any government-owned business under our Liberal Government. None.
“The Government will also be implementing all of Mr Eslake’s recommendations from the Independent Review into the State’s Finances, except those that relate to introducing new or increased taxes and reducing infrastructure spending.”
Mr Rockliff said the Tasmanian Liberal Government would also introduce legislation so that a government business can only be sold if it receives two-thirds majority support in the Parliament.
Mr Rockcliff is expected to visit the state’s governor later today to seek approval for the snap election, following the passage of an emergency budget supply bill to ensure payments transact until a new government is sworn in.