Tasmanian Labor rules out deal with Greens after party’s ‘worst result ever’ at election, hung parliament imminent

Tasmania’s Opposition has ruled out doing a deal with the Greens to form government, after a devastating result for Labor. As of Sunday afternoon, the Liberals had secured 14 seats, with Labor behind at nine, the Greens at five and independents holding three. With 35 seats in the parliament, the embattled Liberal government led by Jeremy Rockliff was still well short of the 18 required to govern in majority. Though, with Opposition Leader Dean Winter ruling a team up with the Greens, it is hard to see an Mr Rockliff not staying on as premier. “We’re going to end up with a very similar or the same number of seats for the three parties,” Mr Winter told reporters. “Labor will be on 10 seats, and obviously we wanted to be winning more seats, and that is disappointing for us and our movement. “When we took the decision we did to move no confidence in Jeremy Rockliff, it was about three things. “It was about the budget disaster that was about to be inflicted on Tasmania. “It was about his plan to privatise the assets that Tasmanians had built together for 100 years. “It was about the performance on the Spirits of Tasmania.” Earlier this month, Mr Rockliff abandoned his controversial plan to privatise a handful of publicly owned companies, including the firm that operates Spirit of Tasmania – the ferry service that traverses the Bass Strait. Mr Winter said he was pleased that the Premier has already abandoned his privatisation plan” but said the “big challenge facing Tasmania as a state remains our budget crisis”. “Tasmania has $4.2bn worth of net debt today, but over the course of the next four years, that will triple, and that is a position that we cannot allow to continue,” he said. “Tasmanians have voted for a change. “Tasmanians have voted for a change of approach, and they want to see their politicians working better together. “And I accept that all of us need to change the way that we approach this.” Though, he added working with the Greens would not be part of his change in approach. “It appears … the Liberals have won 14 seats, although there’s a lot of counting still to go, it’s difficult to see how they get to 18 seats from 14,” Mr Winter said, adding that Labor would “be speaking to crossbenchers and making sure they understand where Labor stands”. “But what I do want to reiterate is that Tasmanian Labor will not do deals with the Greens. “I repeated that hundreds of times during the election campaign, and I will not change that Tasmanian Labor believes in Tasmania. “Labor believes in jobs, safe, secure, well paid jobs, and we support traditional industries that have been supporting Tasmanian regional communities.” He added that he had already reached out to the “business community this morning to reassure them that Tasmanian Labor won’t be changing from our support for those things”. “But we will seek to collaborate better with the crossbench where we can find common interests that Tasmanians want to see Tasmanians,” Mr Winter said. ‘Worst result ever’ Mr Rockliff will attempt to re-form a Liberal government in the state after Labor suffered what may end up being its “worst result ever” in the Apple Isle. But Labor could yet cobble together a government, with challenger Mr Winter saying Tasmania’s parliament could be “progressive in majority”. The incumbent Liberals have won the most number of seats but have still fallen short of a majority. Mr Rockliff all but declared victory on Saturday, saying he believes the result will allow him to stay Premier. “It is our team, the Liberal Party, who will achieve the most seats in this election, with a significantly increased vote, and I thank you. I want to thank all Tasmanians,” he told party faithful that evening. “On that basis, there is some way to go (but) at the conclusion of the counting and the return of the writs, I intend to visit the governor and ask her to recommission my government so we can get on with the job for Tasmania. Speaking to NewsWire in the Tasmanian Tally Room at the end of the evening, MP Eric Abetz said the mandate for a Liberal Government was clear. “The Liberals should be forming government with a substantial increase in their vote, Labor the lowest in its history,” Mr Abetz said. “Nobody in the parliament could seriously say Labor deserves to form government.” “I think we’re well positioned.” But a path does exist for Labor to stich together a minority government with the Greens and Independents, meaning Mr Winter could become the first Labor Premier since 2014. Despite rejecting such an arrangement, Labor leader Dean Winter says a return to the polls “is not an option” and left open the door to taking to the Greens and crossbench. “Tonight, the Tasmanian people have spoken and they have delivered another hung parliament and with it, a resounding message that they want their politicians to work together more collaboratively,” Mr Winter said. “It seems likely that the three major parties in the state will end up with more or less the same number of seats as they did in the last parliament,” Winter noted. Mr Winter said he believed politicians needed to “collaborate on the challenges facing our state, and there are many” before criticising the Premier’s early speech, saying it “showed the same approach he took on election night some 16 months ago and we know that has not worked.” As of Sunday morning it looks certain that a minimum of 14 Liberals will return to the parliament, with Labor returning 10, the Greens returning 5 and at a minimum of 4 sitting on the crossbench. A final outcome is not expected for a number of weeks. At last two recently departed Federal MPs have suddenly returned as state representatives, with maverick Liberal Bridget Archer comfortably elected in the state seat of Bass and former MP Gavin Pearce elected in Braddon. Independent Peter George will win a seat in the electorate of Franklin after coming close to winning the seat at a federal level in May. He campaigned on a progressive agenda and will likely be hostile to supporting the return of Mr Rockliff as Premier. Mr George will join Kristie Johnson and Craig Garland on the progressive crossbench, who were both comfortably re-elected and both of whom voted for the no-confidence motion. All three candidates elected under the Jacqui Lambie banner 16 months ago have been defeated. While Labor suffered its worst ever primary vote performance in the party’s history, it is unlikely to lose its representation of 10 MPs although the faces of those MPs will change. ‘Not an option’: Rockliff intends to form govt Mr Winter has refused to admit defeat and declared Tasmanians were not “happy with politics as usual”. However, he has said another election was “not an option”. Flanked by his wife and daughter, Mr Rockliff admitted there was “some way to go” with a minority government still very much in the offing. “I intend to visit the governor and ask her to recommission my government so we can get on with the job for Tasmania,” Mr Rockliff. Shortly before 10pm, it was clear the Liberal Party would emerge as the largest party in Tasmanian parliament. The Premier said he was committed to “working in the best interest of all Tasmanians” and that the result showed that despite the leader of the opposition successfully passing a no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff’s leadership, the state instead showed that in relation to Mr Winter, the state shows they “do not have confidence in him”. The premier became emotional in his address, thanking the state Liberal Party for showing confidence in his leadership in what he called “a very difficult time”. Mr Rockliff pointed to Tasmania having the “strongest economy in the country” and the “lowest unemployment rate” and highlighted investments in health and education as key achievements of his government. Someone in the ballroom interjected to ask “who is going to pay for it” to cheers and applause from Tally Room onlookers. About 30 vocal supporters were at Hobart’s Grand Chancellor Hotel ballroom with blue placards to show their support for the Premier. Labor’s Mr Winter was hoping to unseat Mr Rockliff after a shock vote of no-confidence earlier this year. Mr Rockliff has held the position of premier since 2022, but faced a no-confidence vote over claims by Mr Winter of rising debt, delayed ferries, and previous privatisation plans. ‘Worst result ever’ ABC’s chief election analyst Casey Briggs – the new Anthony Green – said Labor’s final tally could be their worst result ever in the state’s elections. Striking a sombre tone, Mr Winter addressed his supporters shortly after 10.30pm. He hinted that Labor – with other non-Liberal MPs – could yet take the lead in a “progressive” coalition government. “Tonight, the Tasmanian people have spoken and they have delivered another hung parliament and, with it, a resounding message that they want their politicians to work together more collaboratively. “They aren’t happy with politics as usual and they want to see things done differently.” Mr Winter said he had “fundamental and real concerns with the direction state is moving in”, but acknowledged his opponent as someone who “cares deeply”. “The Premier’s speech earlier tonight showed some of the same approach that he took on election night some 16 months ago, and we know that hasn’t worked,” he said. “That isn’t what Tasmanians have just voted for.” Mr Winter did not concede the election, but said he “is listening to the will of the Tasmanians”. “Tasmanians can be assured over the message they have sent and we will play my part in making this parliament work in the best interests of our state. “It seems likely that the three major parties in the state will end up with more or less the same number of seats as they did in the last parliament. ‘Majority to be progressive’ “Another election is not an option, which means that we need to figure this out. “This will take leadership, it will take maturity, and it will take a willingness to work and seek common ground.” While no one party had a majority, the parliament would “highly likely to be progressive in majority”, Mr Winter said. The mood had been grim among Labor supports earlier in the evening, describing the result earlier in the evening as “terrible” and “a disaster”. Greens message to Labor Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff earlier addressed her supporters, telling supporters voters had again “rejected majority government”. In a pointed message to Mr Winter, Ms Woodruff said the Greens were “ready to work collaboratively in the best interest of Tasmanians “Dean, I hope you put them first this time,” she said. She accused Mr Winter of not taking up their “offer of a conversation about working together to avoid this election”. “Now, Tasmanians have chosen the next parliament this conversation needs to be had stopped. “Representing our communities is not a game. Yes, there are differences, but the Greens and Labor have a lot in common too.” Ms Woodruff opened her address referring to the “violent dispossession” of Tasmania’s local Aboriginal community and referring to the Israel/Gaza conflict. Ms Woodruff said “things are looking very good for the Greens” and that as well as holding their current five seats, she expects further gains including a possible gain in the seat of Braddon where they currently have no incumbent MPs. She said elections were made up of “people driven by values” and thanks those who supported the Greens in what she called a “cold campaign” referring to perhaps more than the weather. The Greens leader has vowed to continue to fight to end native forest logging and opposing the construction of the Macquarie Point Stadium among other policy goals. Read more below for earlier for updates. Labor vote the ‘worst it’s been’ Labor is one track for its worst vote in Tasmania in more than 100 years after it’s own no-confidence vote triggered a snap election. The Liberals were on track to win the largest percentage of the vote by 9pm on Saturday night, however who gets a swing at forming government still remained uncertain as candidates battle others from their own parties in the state’s peculiar Harre Clark system. Labor, on the other hand, looks almost certain for another term in opposition with the ABC projecting its worst result in history. As of 9pm, Labor’s vote share is sitting at 25.4 per cent with the Liberals on 38.2 per cent. “Labor’s vote the worst it’s been in Tasmania since the Hare-Clark system in 1903,” Casey Briggs told ABC viewers. Eric Abetz, meanwhile, will return to parliament, with a likely increase to the size of the crossbench. Peter George was declared by the ABC to have been elected in the seat of Franklin, while Craig Garland will be returned in Braddon. Elsewhere, the Nationals attempt to enter parliament looks set to fail, while the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers (SFF) remain in the hunt for a shock seat pick up in Lyons with Carlo Di Falco currently on 0.61 of a quota. Labor leader’s election gamble in doubt Labor’s Dean Winter’s election gamble, triggered by his motion of no-confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff, does not look like it is paying off, with the Labor leader trailing in his own seat of Franklin. Across the rest of the state, things aren’t looking much better. While figures are early, Labor’s primary vote is down nearly seven per cent while the Liberal vote is up five per cent. Early results in Franklin indicate Peter George, who came close to winning the seat at the last Federal election, leads in the count, with the Liberals second and Labor third. Labor needs to make serious ground and win four seats in Franklin if they are any chance to form majority government, currently the results show they would win only two. Meanwhile in Braddon, another ex-Liberal federal MP is set to make the successful switch to state politics with the former federal member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce, on track to win a seat in the state parliament. Shortly after 8pm, ABC analyst Casey Briggs said the national broadcaster would be calling the Liberals as the largest party in the next parliament. The ABC projected the Liberals would finish with about 39 per cent of the vote, Labor with 23.5 per cent, the independents on 19 per cent, and the Greens on 16 per cent. Meanwhile, Labor operatives are not optimistic about improving its parliamentary numbers with MLC Sarah Lowell on ABC saying scrutineers are hopeful of at least two Labor MPs being returned in each electorate which would result in only 10 Labor MPs being returned, resulting in a status quo result for the Party and a Labor minority even being unlikely. Defeated pollie’s return in Tassie poll Figures are slowly trickling in from Tasmania’s second state election in 16 months and it looks like Bridget Archer is set to return to frontline politics a little more than two months after vacating their federal seats. Ms Archer is on course to easily be elected as one of seven candidates in Bass just two months after being shown the door by voters in the federal poll, with the maverick Liberal leading in the vote count with almost double the number of her nearest competitor incumbent Michael Ferguson. The ABC has now declared Archer as one of the MPs elected in Bass. Meanwhile in Lyons, the Liberals are on track to increase their vote while the return to politics of former Federal member Brian Mitchell looks uncertain. In Braddon, Incumbent Premier Jeremy Rockliff will be returned as an MP in the next parliament the ABC projects. Early result unlikely in Tassie poll An early outcome in Tasmania’s snap election is unlikely with tens of thousands of additional pre-poll votes, the state’s election commissioner has revealed. The state’s election tsar told the ABC it was likely voters would have to wait “the period” in the 2025 election, the second in 16 months. About 100,000 pre-poll votes have reportedly been cast in the election, about 20,000 more than in last year’s ballot. The school holidays were blamed for the trend, with many people voting before leaving to go overseas. Bookies favourite Despite polls showing the Liberals the likely largest party (although short of a majority) Sportsbet has Labor at $1.43 favourites to be the party sworn into government following today’s poll. The Liberals are paying $2.85, with the Greens at $36.00 ‘Thousands’ rally in favour of Macquarie Point Stadium With the stadium issue dominating both the past state election campaign as well as this one, proponents have organised a march and rally to show their support for the proposal on election day. An estimated 3000 Tasmanians took to the streets to show their support for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium, with organisers saying the “silent majority” is finally making its voice heard. Despite growing opposition from the Greens and most Independents likely to hold the balance of power after tonight’s election, both major parties have said they support the stadium which the AFL says is a pre requisite for the Tasmanian devils team to enter the completion, with the women’s team due to enter the AFLW in the 2027 season and the men’s in 2028. Tasmania heads to the polls Tasmanians are today heading to the polls for the second state election in 16 months, after the state was plunged into political chaos by a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Saturday’s election is the fourth in just over a year for many Tasmanians. The last state election was held in March 2024, voters returned on May 3 for the federal election, and May 24 as a number of legislative council seats were contested. With key projects on the line, a unique electoral system and the risk of a fifth election for voters in the near future if Saturday’s poll does not return a clear result, this election will have major impacts on the state’s future.