Ferguson fixed in Labor’s sights
SENIOR Liberal minister Michael Ferguson is expected to come under sustained attack from Labor on multiple fronts during Question Time today as Parliament resumes after the long winter recess.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White said Mr Ferguson’s handling of the health portfolio, the introduction of antibikie laws and his involvement in the Angela Williamson/ Cricket Tasmania case have raised questions about his performance.
Ms White said Mr Ferguson was a liability for the Government and would be the focus of Labor’s attack in Question Time today.
“He has made a number of decisions that have proven to be terrible and the health system is struggling as a consequence,” Ms White said.
“We’ve obviously seen the Government back down fully on their firearms legislation last Friday.
“We will be testing him this week to see whether he can answer some straightforward questions.
“Failing to do that, of course there are abilities for the Opposition to move motions in Parliament asking him to do certain things or indeed passing a no-confidence motion.
“We haven’t decided to do that as yet.”
Ms White said she remained convinced the Government’s anti-bikie gang laws could not be salvaged, but rather needed to be scrapped or entirely rewritten.
Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff called on Labor to support the bikie laws.
“I would call on the Labor Party to stop playing games and politics and being soft on crime and to work with the Government in a bipartisan approach to support a safer Tasmania,” Mr Rockliff said.
“Labor need to be very careful here. This is legislation designed to make our community safer, make Tasmania safer, and the Labor Party need to heed the advice of the Tasmanian police, indeed the Federal Police as well. The legislation does not need to be scrapped.”
And he said, unlike when Labor was last in office, Mr Ferguson was not sacking nurses and police.
“We are very confident in the future of health and indeed community safety under Mr Ferguson and indeed this Government.”