Hodgman focuses on O’Byrne’s ambitions

THE Liberals have taken aim at Labor’s David O’Byrne — trying to stir the pot over the Shadow Treasurer’s supposed leadership ambitions.

Despite Mr O’Byrne’s denials that he has any intention of challenging Labor leader Rebecca White, the Government claims he is actively undermining her.

Premier Will Hodgman said a Talking Point article by Mr O’Byrne that was published in Monday’s Mercury was proof of the Labor frontbencher’s intentions.

The article started with Mr O’Byrne writing: “I will do the hard work needed to put before Tasmanians a vision and plan for the state’s finances.”

Mr Hodgman seized on that line in Parliament on Thursday, asking why the piece did not instead use the phrase “we” — and that it highlighted Labor did not already have an economic plan for the state before Mr O’Byrne’s appointment following Scott Bacon’s recent resignation.

“Earlier this week he proudly told everyone he would be working hard to deliver a plan, which of course highlighted the fact that — under the Leader of the Opposition Rebecca White — up until now they have apparently not had one,” Mr Hodgman said.

“While it is clearly the case that there is no ‘I’ in team, when it comes to the Labor Party, there is a very, very big ‘I’ in David.”

The attack came during a heated exchange in Question Time — with Mr O’Byrne grilling the Government over its budget management. He also said infrastructure spending was the reason the budget was in trouble.

“Your Government has a woeful track record of getting infrastructure projects out the door,’’ he said to Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson, before accusing his opponent of transplanting “his destructive style of mismanagement from the health portfolio to infrastructure”.

Then, in a question asked of the Premier, Mr O’Byrne said: “You have put him ( Mr Ferguson) in charge of delivering major infrastructure projects, but all he has done to date is to pose behind the wheel of a few tow-trucks or stand in high-vis and a hard helmet on the roadside where no construction was occurring.”

After Labor’s election loss last year, Ms White revealed she had been given an undertaking by Mr O’Byrne that he had no ambition to challenge her. After the Liberal attack this week, Mr O’Byrne has made it known that his promise to Ms White has not changed.

While it is clearly the case that there is no ‘I’ in team, when it comes to the Labor Party, there is a very, very big ‘I’ in David

— WILL HODGMAN