Labor congratulates Simon Behrakis for successfully contesting the recount to replace Elise Archer in the electorate of Clark.
However Ms Archer’s replacement brings with him a new headache for Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who must know his days are numbered and that the tide is turning against him.
Mr Behrakis was an employee of former hard right Liberal Senator Eric Abetz and is a loyal supporter of hard right Deputy Leader Michael Ferguson.
It is clear that the elevation of Mr Behrakis threatens the Premier’s leadership and it is only a matter of time before the ambitious Mr Ferguson makes a move.
Tasmanians were promised a stable, majority government. Instead we now have a minority, unstable and dysfunctional government wracked by internal divisions and infighting.
Mr Berakis’s promotion to the House of Assembly adds another member to the Parliament that Tasmanians did not elect.
Since the Liberals were elected in 2018, Felix Ellis, Lara Alexander, Dean Young and Simon Wood have all been elected on countback.
The government’s instability is impacting the health, housing and cost of living crisis; destroying business confidence and growth and the state is now headed for $5.6 billion of debt.
Tasmanians deserve better and only a Labor Government can provide that.
Dean Winter MP
Leader of Opposition Business
