Tasmanian Deputy Premier Resigns Amidst No-Confidence Motion
Tasmanian Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson has announced his resignation from cabinet, preempting a no-confidence motion that was expected to be brought against him on Tuesday.
Ferguson, joined by Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his family at a press conference in Hobart, stated that while he had not been directly asked to resign, the "brutal mathematics of politics" had influenced his decision. He was facing a no-confidence motion due to his handling of the rollout of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels and associated port upgrades.
Ferguson had already resigned as infrastructure minister but has now also stepped down as treasurer and minister for small business and consumer affairs. He will move to the backbench while remaining in parliament as a Liberal member for Bass.
He expressed his honor in serving in cabinet, reflecting on the "amazing" opportunities provided to him by former premiers Will Hodgman, Peter Gutwein, and Jeremy Rockliff.
Earlier on Monday, Rockliff had expressed his full confidence in Ferguson. However, Labor, the Greens, independents Kristie Johnston and David O'Byrne, and Jacqui Lambie Network MP Andrew Jenner had all signaled their loss of confidence in Ferguson, representing a combined 18 votes out of 35 in the lower house.
Ferguson acknowledged the overwhelming numbers, stating, "I'm a former maths teacher."
Rockliff commended Ferguson's decision, calling it "honorable" and acknowledging Ferguson's apologies and acceptance of responsibility for the situation surrounding the Spirit of Tasmania and its infrastructure.
A cabinet reshuffle is expected this week, and the parliamentary Liberal party will meet within the next 24 hours to choose a new deputy premier.
Ferguson was elected to the lower house seat of Bass in 2010 and joined the cabinet when Will Hodgman's Liberal government came to power in 2014. He has held various ministerial positions, including health, infrastructure, transport, and science and technology. He also served as the federal member for Bass from 2004 to 2007.