On Tuesday night in Hobart, Jeremy Rockliff, Tasmania’s Premier, agreed to a one-hour televised debate on the state’s key issues with Dean Winter, leader of the state’s opposition. The debate was passionate and spirited. Sky News and The Mercury conducted one of the most robust debates I have participated in. It quickly devolved into a battle of personalities rather than serious policy debate.
Neither candidate brought anything new to the table in their opening statements, limiting their proposals to well-tread territory. Rockliff strongly reiterated his belief that Tasmanians deserve an election being made to them by Labor and the Greens. Winter’s assurances of a “clean slate” for Tasmania. He promised to step down himself if he fails to set up ten new “TassieDoc” bulk-billing GP clinics in the next 24 months.
It was a three-hour-long format, but given that, very little new information came out on their respective policy platforms. This important policy debate soon became just a shouting match and finger pointing. Rosalie Woodruff, a member of the Tasmanian Greens, criticized the debate’s tone, stating that it was “two politicians who are interested in playing politics but not looking at the issues of everyday Tasmanians.”
It’s important to note that Rockliff’s experience shined through during the debate, as he repeatedly interrupted Winter and asserted himself as the alpha male in the discussion. He accused Winter of having been “spending like a drunken sailor” in a last ditch effort to try and buoy poll numbers. This last statement was indicative of Rockliff’s campaign strategy of attacking his opponent’s credibility.
Winter countered Rockliff’s assertions by questioning the Liberals’ commitment to transparency. He argued for clear and concrete business cases and costings in relation to the government’s as yet unsubstantiated plan for a TasInsure policy. Rockliff responded with defensiveness, insisting he “shouldn’t have had to intervene” in the ongoing Spirits debacle, a reference to ferry service issues that have plagued Tasmania.
Woodruff said the government had neglected addressing the big issues facing Tasmanians. She stated, “It was two politicians who are interested in playing politics but not looking at the issues of everyday Tasmanians.” Her critique really highlighted the public’s increasing frustration with the political theater, especially when it comes to important negotiations.
The debate highlighted a key point of contention: the relationship between Labor and the Greens. Winter reiterated his party’s resolve not to form any agreements with the Greens in case of a hung parliament, stating, “We’ve repeatedly said we will not do deals with the Greens under any circumstances, and we won’t govern with the Greens.” Rockliff agreed, promising that these types of coalitions would be unacceptable.
The exchanges became increasingly personal, with Rockliff accusing Winter of pork-barreling: “Now, seriously, you promised not to pork-barrel. I’ve never seen so much pork in all my life.” This off-the-cuff comment was meant to make Winter look like a flip flopper and a liar.
