Key Takeaways
- Clark MP Helen Burnet has quit the Tasmanian Greens to sit as an independent in the state parliament’s lower house
- Burnet claims her decision is necessary to be as "effective as possible" in her role and to amplify the concerns of her electorate
- The Greens leader, Rosalie Woodruff, says Burnet’s decision is "deeply disappointing" and has "blindsided" the party
- Burnet’s departure leaves the Greens with four MPs in Tasmania’s lower house and one upper house member
- Burnet says she will not be doing any deals with the government and will continue to apply scrutiny as she had previously
Introduction to the Situation
The Tasmanian Greens have been dealt a significant blow with the departure of Clark MP Helen Burnet, who has opted to sit as an independent in the state parliament’s lower house. Burnet, who has been a member of parliament for less than two years, cited the need to be as "effective as possible" in her role as the reason for her decision. She stated that this was not a decision made in haste and acknowledged that it may be disappointing for some, while not entirely unexpected for others.
Reaction from the Greens
The Greens leader, Rosalie Woodruff, expressed her disappointment and surprise at Burnet’s decision, stating that it had "blindsided" the party. Woodruff acknowledged that Burnet had not indicated any intention to leave the party prior to her announcement, leaving the motivations behind her decision unclear. The party leader reassured members, supporters, and voters that the time and effort they had invested in the party was not in vain and that the Greens would continue to fight for the state and its people.
Burnet’s Reasons for Leaving
Burnet explained that her decision to leave the Greens was necessary to amplify the concerns of her electorate, including issues such as the cost of living, public transport, the stadium, and water quality. She claimed that she had been frustrated by her inability to get her voice heard on these matters within the party, despite raising them with the party leader, Rosalie Woodruff, prior to the state election. Burnet stated that she intended to become "more effective, accountable and heard on matters that are important to our state" as an independent.
Background and Future Plans
Burnet has a background as an allied health worker and previously served as Hobart’s Deputy Mayor for seven years. She was first elected to the Tasmanian parliament as part of the Greens contingent in the 2024 state election. As an independent, Burnet has assured that she will not be doing any deals with the government and will continue to apply the same level of scrutiny as she had previously. She remains the deputy speaker of the lower house. This development is not entirely unprecedented, as two federal senators have quit the Greens in recent years, and a South Australian MLC left the party to sit as an independent last year.
Implications and Future Directions
The implications of Burnet’s decision are significant, leaving the Greens with four MPs in Tasmania’s lower house and one upper house member. The party will need to regroup and reassess its strategy in light of this development. Meanwhile, Burnet’s decision to sit as an independent will likely give her more freedom to pursue her own agenda and amplify the concerns of her electorate. However, it remains to be seen how effective she will be in achieving her goals as an independent and how her relationship with the government and other parties will evolve. As the situation unfolds, it will be important to monitor the impact of Burnet’s decision on the political landscape in Tasmania and the potential implications for the Greens and other parties.