Censure motion against Tasmanian premier passes parliament

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has apologised for his handling of recent scandals. (Supplied)

A censure motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff, based on his handling of recent scandals surrounding ministers, has passed Tasmania's parliament.

The motion, which is symbolic and carries no actual penalty, was supported by Labor, the Greens and most of the independents.

Labor leader Josh Willie said while the censure motion "sends a strong message", the issue for Mr Rockliff is not over.

A censure motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff has passed Tasmania's parliament.

The motion, which is symbolic and carries no actual penalty, passed 16 to 12 on Wednesday night.

Labor and the Greens supported the motion, alongside independents Peter George, Kristie Johnston, Craig Garland, Helen Burnet and David O'Byrne.

Government ministers, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco, and independent George Razay opposed the motion.

The motion makes Mr Rockliff the first Tasmanian premier to be censured by the parliament.

Tasmania's powerful crossbench forced Madeleine Ogilvie and Jane Howlett out the door. Jeremy Rockliff says it's now time to "move forward".

Members of parliament spent most of Wednesday's sitting debating the motion, which was put forward by the Greens.

The party accused the premier of failing to ensure his cabinet upholds the ministerial code of conduct, following the resignation of two government ministers, Jane Howlett and Madeleine Ogilvie.

Both ministers resigned within weeks of each other following allegations they misled parliament.

Mr Rockliff has apologised for not "interrogating the issue further" regarding Ms Ogilvie's clarification of whether she was involved in any Supreme Court matters, and has pledged to introduce reforms to strengthen transparency of legal indemnities.

Earlier in parliament on Wednesday, Mr Rockliff said the threshold of a censure motion "must remain high", warning parliament should be wary of setting a precedent.

"A censure is not a signalling device, it's not a tool for political pressure, it's something to be deployed simply because the numbers are there," Mr Rockliff said.

Following the passing of the motion, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said in a statement that the motion acknowledged the premier's behaviour "has been unacceptable".

"The only reason Tasmanians are now aware that hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on ministers' legal fees, about previously secret Supreme Court proceedings, and ministers lying to parliament, is because of the work of this minority parliament.

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