Latest news with #noConfidence
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Tasmania's election campaign should be fought on the budget, business leader and economist say
When Labor declared it had tabled a motion of no-confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff, it listed three main reasons. They were the potential privatisation of public assets, the failure to deliver the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries on time, and the state of the Liberal government's budget. On that budget, here are a few quick figures: Now, with Tasmania in an election campaign, business leaders and economists are hoping to hear the major parties' plans for repairing the balance sheet. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Michael Bailey says as the election is largely about the budget, the campaign should be fought on it. "Tasmania has a spending problem at the moment. "We need to make sure that we can get our spending back under control." That partially refers to the fact the state has a history of spending more than it budgets for, particularly in health. Here's how the Liberals and Labor have been treating the issue of spending and budget repair: Elections are often a big-spending affair. The Liberals have previously been accused of pork barrelling (slang for bribing the electorate for their votes), but they say they are simply listening to community concerns. Labor also promised a whole heap of community grants last election. The main difference is the relevant department would eventually assess them to decide if they were worthy of spending money on. There are also a whole heap of other policies, such as the stamp duty exemption for first home buyers, that will cost taxpayers money. And those spending promises really add up. Economist Saul Eslake says Treasury data shows the 2018 and 2021 elections each added $1.4 billion of spending to the budget without any mention of how to pay for the promises. Last year's was even more expensive. "[The levy is] about the only election commitment that hasn't been met since the election. "Labor would've spent an additional $2 billion over five years if they had won. "So, to hope that that wouldn't be repeated in the election campaign would be a bit like Samuel Johnson's definition of second marriage — a triumph of hope over experience." At the moment, 40 per cent of Tasmania's money comes from the carve up of GST. Around a third is own-source revenue. Mr Eslake has put forward several options to raise more money, including collecting more payroll tax from businesses, raising car registration fees, adding a duty on the purchase of expensive new motor vehicles — "with appropriate concessions for pensioners and other low-income earners". He also suggested switching stamp duty to a land tax and increasing mining royalties. He says Tasmania collects about $40-50 million a year less than it would if its scheme was equivalent to those of other states. Money could also be found by asking the salmon industry to pay royalties for the use of Tasmanian waters. "That wouldn't solve Tasmania's problems, of course, but it would make a useful contribution to reducing the deficit over time." All of these ideas have been rejected by the major parties. Mr Rockliff also pointed out that legislative changes in 2023 meant the salmon industry now pays for its own regulation. "The salmon companies cost government. They return that to government, so it's cost neutral and that's been a significant reform under our government," he said. Another way to raise revenue, selling off state-owned companies and government business enterprises has been ruled out by both major parties already. As have any new taxes. Growing the economy is also a big part of how both major parties plan to get the state out of debt. As part of that, the Liberals have been waging a war on red tape, and if some of Labor's new policies are anything to go by, they're planning to do the same. When asked about increasing revenue, Labor leader Dean Winter talked about growing the economy by unlocking $25 billion in renewable energy developments. Premier Jeremy Rockliff on the other hand said investments in key services such as health, education and community safety would help increase revenue. The TCCI's Michael Bailey is less worried about the revenue side of things. "You don't give someone with a spending problem more money," he says. Mr Bailey wants the parties to find efficiencies in the public service, arguing that it's grown by 30 per cent since the COVID pandemic. "We know that we're borrowing to pay for those wages," he said. "They do wonderful work, but it's simply too big for what Tasmania can afford right now, so we would argue that that's the first thing that should be looked at." Both major parties have revealed their plans to find some savings, and they include the creation of new units. The Liberals' plan, which was announced in March, is called the Efficiency and Productivity Unit (EPU); Labor has the Review and Evaluation Unit (REU). Two names and slightly different descriptions for two things that will do very similar things — examine the effectiveness and value for money of government programs to try and identify savings. The Liberals are assuming they will be able to cut spending to the point where in three years' time overall government expenses will be less than they are this year. They hope to find savings through: Labor's plans to "save the budget more than half a billion dollars", while not outlined in an alternative budget, were part of leader Dean Winter's budget reply speech. They hope to do this by: This list is far from extensive, however, none of the policies have been costed by treasury. If the party that wins government does not right the ship, Mr Eslake estimates Tasmania is heading to a debt of $16 billion by 2035 with repayments to hit $750 million a year. "We've gone from in the middle of the past decade, being a net creditor, that is having more money in the bank than the government owes by way of debt, to now having debt and other liabilities," Mr Eslake said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
G7 countries are ‘not big fans' of Donald Trump, new poll says
President Donald Trump lacks confidence among the G7 countries and their leaders, according to a new Pew Research Center poll. 'The countries outside of the U.S. who are part of the G7, those folks — not big fans of Donald Trump, not big fans at all," CNN host and analyst Harry Enten said Monday. Enten referred to the latest Pew poll, where the other six G7 countries have 60% or higher in no confidence in Trump. Japan's no-confidence rating stood at 61%, the United Kingdom is at 62%, Italy is at 68%, Canada is at 77%, France is at 78% and Germany is at 81%. 'We're looking at a supermajority in all six of these G7 countries besides the U.S., they do not like Donald Trump,' Enten continued. 'They have no confidence in his to do the right thing when it comes to world affairs, and I think that will inform some of the leaders there in those countries...' The median lack of confidence in the president has also grown from where it was during former President Joe Biden's presidency. As of 2024, Biden's median no-confidence was 51%, while Trump's as of 2025 is at 73%, according to Pew. 'We're talking about allies,' Enten emphasized before he addressed Canada's souring relationship with the United States. Pew's new poll showed that 91% of Canadians want to reduce their country's trade reliance on the United States, while 9% disagree. 'You never see numbers that high!' Enten said. 'I'm laughing because it's just unprecedented.' Enten's comments came before Trump left the G7 early due to the intensifying war between Israel and Iran following Israel's surprise attack on June 13. Trump blasts one of his key cabinet members: 'I don't care what she said' 'That's not kooky' major Trump ally breaks with president on former news host Trump or AOC? Who do Americans prefer? A new poll tells the tale Trump admin asks court to rule against Harvard without a trial TACO Trump changes course again on immigration raids at certain businesses Read the original article on MassLive.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Peterborough Conservatives given choice over no confidence vote
Conservatives on a Labour-led city council have been told they are free to vote either way on a motion of no confidence in its leadership.A minority Labour administration leads Peterborough City Council, but an alliance of three parties – Peterborough First, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party – wants to take current Labour leader, Dennis Jones, called the move a "politically-motivated back room plot".Wayne Fitzgerald, the leader of the Conservative group on the city council, said the council's 11 Tory members would be free to "vote as they will" when the motion goes out to a vote on Wednesday. He said: "We don't whip people per se, we reach consensus."The council is made up of 17 Labour councillors, 13 Peterborough First councillors, 11 Conservatives, eight Liberal Democrats, six independent councillors and five Green Party the motion was voted through, a Peterborough First councillor would be put forward to become the new leader. Jones has been leader of the council since May 2024, when Labour won the most seats to form a minority said he was "incredibly proud" of the work Peterborough Labour had done so far. Christian Hogg, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said Labour controlled just a "small percentage of the council".He said the coalition with Peterborough First and the Greens included a broad range of opinions, adding: "We are a spectrum of political views and that makes for better decision-making."Heather Skibsted, leader of the Green Party group, said she was "reasonably confident" ahead of Wednesday's vote."We've got more numbers and therefore represent more of the city's residents." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Dumfries and Galloway Council considers bid to change leadership
A council is to meet to consider a no confidence motion in its Conservative Tory group has led the administration in Dumfries and Galloway over the past two years since the collapse of a rainbow more than half of the members of the local authority have signed a call for a special meeting to consider the removal of leader Gail Macgregor and deputy leader Malcolm came after seven councillors left the Conservative group to form two separate groups of their own. The events which triggered the meeting started a fortnight Conservatives left to form a new group called Novantae over claims of a "failure to listen" to the west of the three created the Dumfries and Galloway Independent moves left the Conservatives with just nine members from a previous representation of 16 and led to the request for a special Conservative group insisted it was the "only party delivering for people in Wigtownshire" and that would has flagged up "significant investment" in the area under its leadership - including the George Hotel in Stranraer and a watersport leader Ms Macgregor has said she has given her all to the post over the last two years and would love to continue in the role. 'No chance' of SNP-Labour administration Although 22 councillors signed the call for the meeting - 11 SNP, eight Labour and three from the Democratic Alliance - it appears they are unlikely to form a new group leader Archie Dryburgh said that while it had backed the no confidence move there was "no chance" of working with the SNP longer single group has enough councillors to form a working majority on its own and it seems more likely another minority administration will be formed."I'm not sure exactly what will happen, but Monday's meeting will be very interesting," said SNP group leader Stephen Thompson.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'No confidence' motion published ahead of Peterborough meeting
A motion of no confidence in a city council's minority Labour administration has been published ahead of a meeting next week. An alliance of three parties on Peterborough City Council - Peterborough First, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party - wants to takeover the motion, to be voted on at a full council meeting on 18 June, states a reduction in Labour group members has left opponents "doubting the capacity of the administration to effectively deliver".Dennis Jones, the council's Labour leader, dubbed it a "politically motivated back-room plot", adding: "Their actions do nothing but risk throwing Peterborough back into instability and chaos." Jones became the leader in May 2024 - the first time in more than 25 years a Labour councillor had headed the city council. Deciding vote Peterborough City Council is made up of 17 Labour ,13 Peterborough First, 11 Conservative, eight Liberal Democrat, six independent and five Green Party the Conservative group deciding not to join the alliance, next week's vote is expected to be close, according to the Local Democracy Reporting leader of the Peterborough First group is expected to takeover if the motion is passed. If it is a draw, a deciding vote will be cast by Mayor Judy Fox or Deputy Mayor Peter Hiller, both Peterborough First councillors. It would not be the first time that Peterborough First have taken control of the authority.A vote of no confidence saw former Conservative councillor and leader Wayne Fitzgerald ousted in November 2023. The latest motion states: "This council has lost confidence in the current administration."It adds: "Members of the Peterborough First, Liberal Democrat and Green groups have decided to form an alliance to provide an administration that works across party lines to take advantage of the skills and experience in each group and to increase transparency and collaborative working [with] all parties represented on the council to help meet the challenges and opportunities that the council faces."In order to achieve this [the] council is now calling for the removal of the current leader, so that it can consider an alternative leader." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
