‘Rural Tasmania’: Tasmanian Nationals rule out Coalition with state Liberal Party just days ahead of election

The Tasmanian Nationals have confirmed they will not enter a Coalition agreement with the state Liberal Party, just days ahead of voters heading to the ballot box. Tasmanians will vote on July 19 for the fourth time in seven years, after a snap election was called following a no-confidence motion was granted. But the Tasmanian Liberal Party has now suffered a major setback – with the Nationals ruling out speculation they will automatically help Jeremy Rockliff in his bid to remain as Premier. Nationals candidate for Lyons John Tucker said he wanted to clear up any voter confusion ahead of next week’s election. “The Tasmanian Nationals do not have any agreement for a Coalition, nor supply with the Tasmanian Liberals. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false.” Mr Tucker said. Miriam Beswick and Andrew Jenner also say neither they, nor the Tasmanian Nationals, were locked in to provide support to the Tasmanian Liberals for the next term of parliament. “I want to assure the voters in Braddon, as well as in Bass and Lyons, should any party find themselves in a position to form a minority Government, we will only discuss these matters once the whole picture has become clear.” Mrs Beswick said. Mr Jenner reiterated he would “not offer support or supply” to “another Mr Rockliff-style Liberal government” without a shift in their approach for the state’s rural areas. Last month, Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion by just one vote after two days of fiery debate – sparking a move to dissolve the parliament. Governor Barbara Baker granted approval for the election a day after Mr Rockliff made the request in order to end the state’s political deadlock. She said she was “satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed”. In a statement, released in June, the Governor said she would dissolve parliament and issue the writ for an election on July 19. “Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution,” Governor Baker said.