Tasmania’s minority Liberal government watches as Greens and Labor pass two consecutive bills inn the lower house

Liberals really drove home one message during the election. But last night 2 bills that weren't part of the plan passed the lower house without government support. Clearly, in terms of the legislation, it's our view that they've missed the mark. Labour's industrial manslaughter bill, creating penalties for employers whose negligent conduct results in the death of a worker, failed to win over the government. It passed anyway, with backing from the Greens and members of the crossbench. Hours later it happened again, this time a Greens bill to decriminalise begging. This is what collaborative politics can deliver for us. As the Greens, who have tried numerous times to repeal the crime of begging, this was a celebration. The Government appears to be taking it on the chin, embracing the reality of governing in minority. What you're seeing in the parliament is collaboration, goodwill and you're seeing democracy in action. This is what the Tasmanian people voted for. It's not common in Tasmania or Australia to see opposition bills opposed by the government succeed. But given the make up of this unpredictable parliament, experts say it's unlikely to be the last time. The fact that two opposition bills have passed the lower house, it's really to be expected and it demonstrates that parliament, as the body that represents the Tasmanian community, is now much more important. It's absolutely a sign of things to come. But Labor says getting up its own bill was the exception, not the rule. If there are ways for us to improve legislation, of course we'll do that, but we need to be in government to do great labour things. But at the end of the day, we do have to remember that the Liberals are the government, so they do have a mandate and in particular, Parliament needs to be really careful about passing legislation that's got significant budgetary implications.