Tasmania’s government might collapse, the AFL team could die and a Doomsday Fish just washed up on the beach

The opposition is pushing a no-confidence vote, the Premier’s refusing to quit, and even the state’s AFL team is warning this could all end in disaster.

Archie Milligan
June 04, 2025

🎭 A minority government on shaky ground

Tasmania is currently led by a minority Liberal government, but they’re outnumbered in the parliament by Labor, Greens and independents on the crossbench. That gives the opposition the numbers to bring the government down — if they want to.

During his budget reply speech on Tuesday, Labor leader Dean Winter said he would move a motion of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberal government.

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💸 The state’s debt is ballooning

The first major reason behind the motion? Tasmania’s budget.

The Liberal government’s new budget projects state debt to hit $10.8 billion over the next four years. For the 2025–26 financial year, it’s forecast at $7.3 billion.

This means Tassie’s annual interest bill could soar to $650 million, almost double the $350 million expected in the upcoming year.

🏭 Privatisation fears are growing

Second, Labor and others are concerned the Liberal government may be preparing to privatise state-owned companies and assets — a move they say could result in job losses and higher costs for everyday Tasmanians.

🚢 Botched ferry project adds to pressure

The third issue: the government’s handling of major infrastructure projects — especially the Spirit of Tasmania ferry replacement, which is now overdue, over budget and postponed yet again.

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📆 What happens if the no-confidence vote passes?

The vote is expected to be held today (June 4). If it passes, there are a few scenarios:

Premier Rockliff could resign, and the Liberals would choose a new leader to try to form a government with support from other parties.
If no one can form a government, an early election could be triggered — even though Tassie voters just went to the polls last year and recently voted federally.

🗣️ Rockliff: not going quietly

In both Facebook posts and statements in the Tasmanian Parliament, Rockliff made clear he’s staying put.

“I will fight for my last breath to ensure that we remain in government, and to ensure that we continue delivering for the people of Tasmania,” Rockliff said on Wednesday.

🧑‍⚖️ The Governor’s away — enter the Lieutenant

Normally, the Governor of Tasmania would step in to decide whether to dissolve parliament or support a new government.

But Governor Barbara Baker is currently away, so the task falls to Lieutenant Governor Christopher Shanahan.

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🏉 Could this kill the Tassie Devils AFL team?

There’s more than just politics at stake. A snap election could derail the long-awaited Tasmania AFL team.

ABC sport journo Chris Rowbottom says the club believes a new election would cause a “severe timeline blowout”, potentially killing the deal altogether.

The club released a statement this morning warning that “political uncertainty” could threaten the future of the team and urged politicians to consider the consequences.

🐟 And then came the Doomsday Fish

To top it all off? A rare, deep-sea creature called an oarfish, also known as a Doomsday Fish, washed up on a Tassie beach on Monday.

Look, we’re not saying it’s a sign … but the timing’s pretty wild. As to be expected with Tasmania.