Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings denies challenge rumours



TASMANIAN Premier Lara Giddings has dismissed speculation she is set to be toppled as leader less than a year after assuming the position.


Ms Giddings said she received assurances she would not face a leadership challenge from her Infrastructure Minister David O’Byrne, and blamed “faceless” union leaders for pedalling lies.

“I met with David O’Byrne this morning and he has assured me there is no challenge for the leadership,” Ms Giddings said in a statement today.

“Make no mistake, this speculation is being driven by a handful of faceless men in their latest attack on government spending cuts and it will be gleefully seized upon by our political opponents.”

Mr O’Byrne, who was elected to parliament in last year’s election and placed straight into cabinet, confirmed there was no challenge.

“I’m performing my role as minister to the best of my ability and I can say there is no challenge and no, I am not really going to comment any further on this speculation,” he told the ABC.

Ms Giddings became Tasmanian premier after David Bartlett stepped down in January, making her the state’s third leader in as many years.

Tasmanian Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said the speculation was evidence of a dysfunctional government.

“We have seen two premiers in one year, when David O’Byrne inevitably makes his move it will be three,” he said.

“It is like shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.”
 

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