In short: Premier Jeremy Rockliff has defended his handling of the AFL stadium project, which prompted the defection of two Liberal MPs to the crossbench, saying he has been "honest and open" about the project.
What's next: Disgruntled backbencher Lara Alexander says there is a chance she and fellow defector John Tucker will block next week's budget if the stadium funding is not fully "explained and identified".
Tasmania's premier has doubled down on his plans to build an AFL stadium on Hobart's waterfront as calls to scrap the multi-million-dollar project grow louder.
Organisers estimate 6,000 Tasmanians attended a "stop the stadium" protest at Parliament Lawns on the weekend, with high-profile speakers including senator Jacqui Lambie and author Richard Flanagan.
It comes as the country's last state Liberal government grapples with the reality of governing in minority after two backbenchers — John Tucker and Lara Alexander — quit the party, citing a lack of transparency around the $715 million Macquarie Point stadium deal.
Speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Monday, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he "will not be backing down".
"I believe in this project, I believe in our own AFL team that many people have fought for decades for and I don't want to lose this opportunity," he said.
"Yes it's difficult and I'm prepared as premier, as people know, to make the tough calls.
"Now, people might not like it but I absolutely will be getting the job done."
Speaking with ABC Radio Hobart earlier, Ms Alexander said she did not intend to make that easy from her new position on the crossbench.
"We may block supply if that particular budget line item [the stadium] is not explained and identified properly," she said.
"There could be legitimate expenditure in relation to the site, which is rehabilitating the site, or there could be a number of things that form part of that intention of putting the stadium there.
"So we need to understand exactly what sits behind that budget line. Obviously the budget has a lot of other items … housing, community expenditure, so you can't be reckless with these things. But that particular line item has to be properly accounted for."
Mr Rockliff said once his government and the AFL had dealt with the commercial-in-confidence aspects of the stadium deal, he would be more open and transparent about the arrangement.
He also insisted health and housing remained his priorities.
"I've been very open about the deal and will be more open and transparent about the deal," he said.
"We're spending $375 million. I'm spending it once. I spend that every 51 days in health, $11 billion every four years on health."
Mr Rockliff said it did not bother him that people opposed his stance on the stadium or other issues like his support for the Voice to Parliament or plan to ban conversion therapy.
"People might not like where I stand on particular issues but you know that I stand for something and I'm open and honest about what I stand for," Mr Rockliff said.
Ms Alexander was not so sure.
"I do support Jeremy, Jeremy is a good man," she said.
"I just think, in this particular incidence, something has not been well handled."
But despite everything, she said she did not want him to resign.
"No, that would put us in difficult position, a turmoil position and we don't want that," she said.
"Stability comes with a lot of communication, a lot of discussion, engaging with people, not just relying on a majority. Relying on a majority is the easy way out."
