COALITION GOVERNMENT FOR TASMANIA?

Grey River Argus, 7 September 1948, Page 5

COALITION GOVERNMENT FOR TASMANIA?

LIBERALS AGREEABLE TO SUGGESTIONS (Rec. 11.15) HOBART, Sept. 6 The Premier of Tasmania, Hon. Mr Cosgrove, has invited the Liberal Parry to nominate one of its members for the speakership. The Liberal Party will nominate a member for a speaker provided that the Labour Parry agrees to the formation of a Coalition Government. Replying to the Premier, Mr Cosgrove’s invitation, the Opposition Leader, Mr N. Campbell, said that he agreed with him that it was the duty of all of the parties to endeavour to see that the stability of the State s administration was not disrupted. He said that the present state of the House need not lead to a deadlock. His party would be willing to nominate one of its members for election as speaker on an understanding that a Government would bfe apopinted from both parties and from the Independents proportionate to their Parliamentary representation. He believed that there was sufficient community of policy on many matters to enable their combined sources to secure a stable administration. The Liberal Party will meet on Wednesday before the opening of Parliament. They expect to have Mr Cosgrove’s reply by then. The appointment of a Speaker from an outside party would give the Government a majority on the floor of the House. If the Labour Party were compelled to .fill the speakership from its members it would have a minority of one as compared with the combined Liberals and the Independents.