Wilkie eyes Tassie benefits

DENISON MP Andrew Wilkie is eyeing off greater crossbench influence and the resolution of the citizenship issue if the Federal Government loses the seat of Bennelong in today’s by-election.

A loss by Liberal John Alexander would leave the Coalition with 74 seats on the floor of the House of Representatives — a minority if Labor (70) and the five crossbenchers combined.

“No matter what happens in Bennelong, my position will remain the same,” Mr Wilkie said. “I will make no guarantees of confidence or supply to either the Labor or the Liberal party, and continue to approach every single issue in the Parliament on its merits.’’

“I will certainly seize any opportunity to continue to deliver for the electorate, including federal funding for the STEM [$400 million University of Tasmania project in Hobart] and other major projects.”

The independent MP said the Government was unlikely to fall because Victorian crossbencher Cathy McGowan had said she would not support a no-confidence motion.

However, Mr Wilkie said Labor and the cross-benchers could combine to progress a number of issues.

“For example, a number of members could finally be referred to the High Court over their doubtful citizenship status,” he said.

Last week Labor and crossbenchers agreed to refer nine members to the High Court, including Braddon MP Justine Keay, but lost after Speaker Tony Smith exercised a casting vote.

Mr Wilkie said New Zea- land’s offer to accept some of the Manus Island refugees could be supported.

“There would also be opportunities to pressure the Government more broadly, for instance to reverse some of its dreadful cuts to health care, and to finally deliver the full Gonski funding,” he said.

“There also remains the pressing need to establish a federal anti-corruption body.”

University of Tasmania political scientist Richard Eccleston said today’s by-election was the biggest test of Malcolm Turnbull’s Government since the start of the citizenship crisis.

“This is unlikely to mean the end of the Turnbull Government, as it could rely on the vote of Speaker Tony Smith to break tied votes,” he said.

“Beyond this, members of the cross-bench will be very reluctant to bring down the Government simply because the Coalition lost the Bennelong by-election.”