Premier Jeremy Rockliff has held firm in the Apple Isle, defying last month’s no-confidence motion. Photo: Jeremy Rockliff, Facebook.
Election-weary Tasmania has received no relief following the state election on Saturday.
The Apple Isle has held three elections since 2021 and the most recent, held over the weekend, has delivered a similar result to the last one.
The early election was called after a no-confidence vote passed the Tasmanian Parliament last month, triggering a poll that seems set to satisfy no-one.
Though three seats are still in doubt at the time of writing, the governing Liberals need four more to hold a majority, meaning some negotiation is necessary for the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff.
Labor currently holds nine seats, while the Greens have five. The remaining four seats belong to independent parties and members. Pre-poll and postal votes are yet to be counted.
The primary vote for Labor is historically low, though it has held the same number of seats as it did in the 2024 election. The Greens have also held their ground.
Premier Rockliff has said that he will ask the Governor to reappoint a government with him as head. The Premier still intends to govern, but he must secure the support of independents.
Dean Winter, the head of the Labor Party, has said he would attempt the same if the Premier failed to form a minority government.
Mr Rockcliff said on election night: “I intend to visit the Governor and ask her to recommission my government so we can get on with the job for Tasmania.”
Premier Rockliff has some reason to be optimistic, as the Liberals had a 3.3 per cent positive swing, while Labor, responsible for the second election in two years, suffered a 2.9 per cent negative swing.
Mr Winter has repeatedly ruled out forming government with the Greens and has instead focused on the other independents.
