Premier of Australia's Tasmania ousted through no-confidence vote

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - The premier of Australia's Tasmania state was ousted through a successful no-confidence motion that was passed by a razor-thin margin of one vote, local broadcaster SBS News reported on Thursday.

Labor, the Greens and independents teamed up to overthrow the minority Liberal premier, Jeremy Rockliff in the lower house of parliament, paving the way for new elections.

Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne cast the tie-breaking vote as the count was initially tied at 17 for and against the no-confidence motion. The House of Assembly has 35 members, elected for a term of up to four years.

"As I provide my casting vote today I do so in the knowledge that regardless of the outcome of today's vote, the stability of this parliament is fundamentally under question," O'Byrne said.

The Liberal leader's downfall has been driven by a number of issues, including debate over a recent budget, and a proposal supported by Rockcliff to build a new stadium in Hobart at a cost of almost $1 billion.

Rockcliff was elected as premier just 15 months ago.