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 Bartlett reinstated as Premier, Labor to rule in minority 

Bartlett reinstated as Premier, Labor to rule in minority

08 Apr, 2010 08:49 PM
IT has taken almost three weeks but Tasmanians tonight know who their next premier will be.

Governor Peter Underwood this afternoon re-commissioned Premier David Bartlett as Premier to lead a Labor minority government which will have the support of the Tasmanian Greens – but the new government faces an immediate motion of no-confidence from the Liberal Opposition.

There is no formal arrangement between Labor and the Greens but Greens leader Nick McKim announced via a southern newspaper today that his party would offer support to the incumbent government by not moving or supporting motions of no-confidence in parliament unless there was evidence of gross malfeasance, maladministration or corruption.

The support would remain until a formal negotiated agreement was reached.

The State Opposition reacted angrily to the news Mr Bartlett, with the support of Mr McKim would return as Premier.

"Mr Bartlett said that the Party with the most votes should have the right to govern,'' Mr Hodgman said.

"He has broken that promise.

"He said he would respect the will of Tasmanians and provide stability through a set of undertakings.

"He chose not to provide those same undertakings to the Governor. He has broken that promise as well.''

Mr Hodgman said the new government was "built on deciet and on lies'' and labelled it "illegitimate''.

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
This outcome is a disgrace. A vote for the Greens is a coalition vote for the ALP. The Liberal Party had every right to take the leadership of Tasmania, with an agreement that the party who took the majority vote, in the event of a 10/10 seat count, could form government. The Greens are an insult to that simple democratic process. They wanted nothing less than to pull the strings of a weak ALP state government. Shame on the system that empowers such manipulation. Shame on the Greens for gloating over their devious "victory".
Posted by Steve, 8/04/2010 6:18:43 PM, on The Examiner
What a disaster for Tasmania's reputation. The people deliver a 12% vote of no confidence in the Bartlett government.
Posted by digby, 8/04/2010 6:22:47 PM, on The Examiner
Outrageous. I did not vote Labor, my family did not, and we did not vote Green. Yet with both major parties being equal in seats, but with one winning more votes, the "Governor" sees fit to allocate power to Labor. This is NOT democracy at work. The swing against Labor was immense and so shall be the swing against this decision. What a sorry day for Tasmania.
Posted by Jim, 8/04/2010 6:33:51 PM, on The Examiner
A vote for the GREENS is a vote for Labor. A leopard never changes its spots. Despite Libs getting more votes than any other party...this is what happens. Crazy!
Posted by Mike, 8/04/2010 7:10:27 PM, on The Examiner
I don't get it? Tasmanians voted most for the conservatives, the incumbent premier was willing to concede that point but the governor chose to ignore the wishes of the voting majority. Harken governor, if you have 500 people voting one way and 501 voting the other, the 501 is considered a majority. The governor wants Bartlett to test his numbers. I think labour's going to find themselves going back to the polls. How does the cost of doing this help tasmania Governor?
Posted by Telderoth, 8/04/2010 7:28:48 PM, on The Examiner
Where to from here Tassie? Where to indeed. From tomorrow on there will be division, derision and damnation on the 'labour' party and their tree hugger mates. Will the people of Tasmania care or will they who were in the majority, seek to claim what is by 'vote' theirs? Watch for the labourites sprooking their abilities of governance and the greens letting all and sundry know how they hold the POWER. 6 months before the next state election or less?
Posted by robert monteith, 8/04/2010 7:39:54 PM, on The Examiner
Hodgman obviously does not have what it takes. He should stand aside for Matt Groom to take over as state liberal leader. That might bring about the necessary change to really re-envigorate the party at state level.
Posted by ChuckOutHodgman, 8/04/2010 7:54:19 PM, on The Examiner
Well now, McKim was sucked in, wasn't he? He gave away allegiance when he really didn't need to and having given it cannot, reasonably, retract it. There are many of us who wanted to be rid of Bartlett and Co and who will, in future, have difficulty in supporting the Greens in the manner that we recently have. I guess that we need a lot more independant candidates for future elections. The current system is not working for any of us.
Posted by brian, 8/04/2010 8:00:42 PM, on The Examiner
WELL, did'nt the greens come last ?? Then lets have another election between the libs and the labour party and then we will have a true example of what the people want. The greens are just a diversion that no one needs, they can remain in my view just anti everything as they do.
Posted by hing, 8/04/2010 9:00:42 PM, on The Examiner
To Liberal-minded losers who can't do their maths: Conservatives only won 10/25 seats. That is 40%, not a majority. In the absence of either "major" party being willing to negotiate, what choice is there? A Labor Government, under the aggresive scrutiny of sensible Greens, has clear prospects of success and stability.
Posted by Mr Accurate, 8/04/2010 9:01:53 PM, on The Examiner
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