ID :
117247
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 21:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/117247
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Greens rejects offer to join Labor
Tasmanian Greens leader Nick McKim says he has rejected an offer to join Labor Premier David Bartlett's cabinet because it would not be a democratic outcome.
Mr Bartlett had offered Mr McKim a frontbench posting after three days of intense
negotiations on Friday, in return for Mr McKim supporting the government, except in
cases of "significant concern".
But Mr McKim declined the offer on Saturday, saying having one Greens minister in a
cabinet of nine or 10 would not reflect the March 20 election result, which
delivered 10 seats to both the Labor and Liberal parties and five to the Greens.
"Mr Bartlett's decision to only offer one Green position in his cabinet does not
reflect the will of the Tasmanian people," he told reporters in Hobart.
"It fails to provide for stable government in the current circumstances.
"Mr Bartlett has made an offer that would deliver us one tenth of the cabinet
positions. It's a mathematical absurdity."
Mr McKim said it would not have been fair to expect him to lobby the rest of his
party into supporting Labor.
"The expectation that one Greens member in cabinet would be required to use their
best endeavours to deliver support of the entire Greens party room, I think possibly
could lead to difficulties," he said.
Mr McKim wouldn't put a number on how many ministries he was seeking but said the
Greens remained open to any deals with the government or the Liberal Party.
Mr McKim repeated his pledge not to move a no-confidence motion against the
government until a deal was in place.
Sidelined Liberal leader Will Hodgman said Mr McKim was not being reasonable.
"Mr McKim needs to take a reality check," Mr Hodgman said.
"Yes, the Greens have one additional member in parliament (than they had), but by no
means can they claim any sort of moral victory, nor can they hold a gun to anyone's
head."
Mr Bartlett said he was disappointed his offer had been rejected.
In a brief statement Mr Bartlett said he would make a more detailed comment before
leaving on Sunday for Monday's Council of Australian Governments meeting in
Canberra.
Mr Bartlett and two ministers were sworn in last week in accordance with
constitutional law, with Mr Bartlett advising Governor Peter Underwood the rest of
the cabinet would be decided upon by Wednesday.
Mr Bartlett had offered Mr McKim a frontbench posting after three days of intense
negotiations on Friday, in return for Mr McKim supporting the government, except in
cases of "significant concern".
But Mr McKim declined the offer on Saturday, saying having one Greens minister in a
cabinet of nine or 10 would not reflect the March 20 election result, which
delivered 10 seats to both the Labor and Liberal parties and five to the Greens.
"Mr Bartlett's decision to only offer one Green position in his cabinet does not
reflect the will of the Tasmanian people," he told reporters in Hobart.
"It fails to provide for stable government in the current circumstances.
"Mr Bartlett has made an offer that would deliver us one tenth of the cabinet
positions. It's a mathematical absurdity."
Mr McKim said it would not have been fair to expect him to lobby the rest of his
party into supporting Labor.
"The expectation that one Greens member in cabinet would be required to use their
best endeavours to deliver support of the entire Greens party room, I think possibly
could lead to difficulties," he said.
Mr McKim wouldn't put a number on how many ministries he was seeking but said the
Greens remained open to any deals with the government or the Liberal Party.
Mr McKim repeated his pledge not to move a no-confidence motion against the
government until a deal was in place.
Sidelined Liberal leader Will Hodgman said Mr McKim was not being reasonable.
"Mr McKim needs to take a reality check," Mr Hodgman said.
"Yes, the Greens have one additional member in parliament (than they had), but by no
means can they claim any sort of moral victory, nor can they hold a gun to anyone's
head."
Mr Bartlett said he was disappointed his offer had been rejected.
In a brief statement Mr Bartlett said he would make a more detailed comment before
leaving on Sunday for Monday's Council of Australian Governments meeting in
Canberra.
Mr Bartlett and two ministers were sworn in last week in accordance with
constitutional law, with Mr Bartlett advising Governor Peter Underwood the rest of
the cabinet would be decided upon by Wednesday.
