Another Tasmanian hung parliament, but Liberals ahead
Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff declared victory on Saturday night after his party secured 14 seats to Labor's nine, both short of the 18 required for majority.
AAP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
12 minutes ago
- West Australian
Katina Curtis: Turn up and tune in to 48th season of Parliament, will it be a blockbuster or bomb?
Settle in folks, the 48th season of Australia's Parliament is about to air its debut episode. Same sets, same lead character, new actors in key roles, new drama and hopefully some new plotlines. This first parliamentary sitting after the election will set the tone for what's to come. Sussan Ley has been telling everyone on her listening tour that she knows the Liberals got smashed. The reality of just what that means will sink in once everyone gathers in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Labor MPs are set to sprawl across the chamber's aisle — Perth's Patrick Gorman is among five assistant ministers seated in what's traditionally crossbench territory. Meanwhile, the remaining members of the Coalition fit into about two-thirds of the space they previously occupied. The Government's key challenges are twofold: not to succumb to the hubris of the thumping victory, and to work out what it will do once it delivers its election pledges. Anthony Albanese's opening lines to his colleagues on Monday were a reminder that Labor has more often sat in Parliament's opposition party room than in the government one. Despite the humble rhetoric, Labor is sticking the knife into its opponents in sly ways. Ali France (who defeated Peter Dutton) and Sarah Witty (who beat Adam Bandt) will kick off more than 11 hours of speeches by new MPs this week. Not coincidentally, both are also seated within TV shot behind the Prime Minister. And of the 24 backbench MPs in those positions that routinely end up on the nightly news, 16 are women, in stark contrast to the Coalition. The fresh season also gives Tony Burke and Albanese another crack at rewriting the standing orders. Last time they laid several traps for new players and they're keen to test anew how Ley and her lieutenants manage parliamentary tactics. As for a full term's worth of stuff to get done, Jim Chalmers setting up the economic reform roundtable next month is a good base from which to build an argument for hard tax changes. That point is grudgingly conceded among his opponents, although they're waiting to see if Albanese has the same enthusiasm for tough changes as his Treasurer. There is even a growing openness from some in the Coalition to a move to increase the GST rate or broaden its base in exchange for lower income taxes amid a grand package to make the budget bottom line more sustainable. For Ley, the plotlines ahead could contain treachery and she needs to show steel to her own ranks. Not everyone is content with the tone of constructiveness struck since she took over as leader — although Ley warned the PM on Monday that 'we won't be getting out of the way' on everything — and already questions are being whispered about her tactical nous. Whether you stay tuned or switch off until early 2028, there will be plenty going on.
The Advertiser
12 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Party's over: the election trend that threatens majors
Tasmania's politicians might need to get used to sharing power amid a falling Labor vote and crossbench rise. Incumbent premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor's Dean Winter are courting the support of independents after Saturday's snap poll delivered another hung parliament. With three seats still in doubt, the Liberals have secured 14 and Labor nine - both short of the 18 needed for a majority, with the Greens on five and four independents. Mr Rockliff has declared he has a mandate to govern with the most seats, but Mr Winter hasn't ruled out relying on confidence and supply of the Greens to govern. Several independents have said they're open to backing either Mr Rockliff or Mr Winter as the state's next premier. With three-quarters of the count completed, Labor's primary vote has dropped 3.2 per cent to 25.8 - the lowest for the party in Tasmanian history. It came despite a massive swing toward Labor in the state at the May federal poll. The Liberals ran a campaign narrative of laying the blame for an early election at the feet of Mr Winter, after a Labor-led no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff was successful. "It may have been a case of 'we've given you a chance and rewarded you at federal level and now you want to be rewarded again?'," election analyst Kevin Bonham said of Labor's poor showing. Labor has been in opposition since 2014 and has struggled for traction despite ballooning net debt and infrastructure stuff-ups under the Liberals. The Liberals picked up a 3.2 per cent swing with a primary vote of 39.9 per cent, well away from their 48.7 per cent when they were elected in majority in 2021. One-third of the state didn't vote for the major two parties, with several independents increasing their support. The Liberals were plunged into minority in 2023 when two MPs quit to the crossbench. A snap 2024 poll delivered a hung parliament but Labor refused to govern. While it wasn't the end of majority government, it was now more difficult for the majors to get there, Dr Bonham said. A roughly 20 per cent cohort of voters who traditionally swung between the major parties in Tasmania had seemingly broken down, he said. Labor went to the election without big vote-getter Rebecca White, who has switched to federal politics, and popular ex-Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who retired. The Liberals ran ex-federal MPs Bridget Archer and Gavin Pearce, who were both elected. Tasmania's politicians might need to get used to sharing power amid a falling Labor vote and crossbench rise. Incumbent premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor's Dean Winter are courting the support of independents after Saturday's snap poll delivered another hung parliament. With three seats still in doubt, the Liberals have secured 14 and Labor nine - both short of the 18 needed for a majority, with the Greens on five and four independents. Mr Rockliff has declared he has a mandate to govern with the most seats, but Mr Winter hasn't ruled out relying on confidence and supply of the Greens to govern. Several independents have said they're open to backing either Mr Rockliff or Mr Winter as the state's next premier. With three-quarters of the count completed, Labor's primary vote has dropped 3.2 per cent to 25.8 - the lowest for the party in Tasmanian history. It came despite a massive swing toward Labor in the state at the May federal poll. The Liberals ran a campaign narrative of laying the blame for an early election at the feet of Mr Winter, after a Labor-led no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff was successful. "It may have been a case of 'we've given you a chance and rewarded you at federal level and now you want to be rewarded again?'," election analyst Kevin Bonham said of Labor's poor showing. Labor has been in opposition since 2014 and has struggled for traction despite ballooning net debt and infrastructure stuff-ups under the Liberals. The Liberals picked up a 3.2 per cent swing with a primary vote of 39.9 per cent, well away from their 48.7 per cent when they were elected in majority in 2021. One-third of the state didn't vote for the major two parties, with several independents increasing their support. The Liberals were plunged into minority in 2023 when two MPs quit to the crossbench. A snap 2024 poll delivered a hung parliament but Labor refused to govern. While it wasn't the end of majority government, it was now more difficult for the majors to get there, Dr Bonham said. A roughly 20 per cent cohort of voters who traditionally swung between the major parties in Tasmania had seemingly broken down, he said. Labor went to the election without big vote-getter Rebecca White, who has switched to federal politics, and popular ex-Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who retired. The Liberals ran ex-federal MPs Bridget Archer and Gavin Pearce, who were both elected. Tasmania's politicians might need to get used to sharing power amid a falling Labor vote and crossbench rise. Incumbent premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor's Dean Winter are courting the support of independents after Saturday's snap poll delivered another hung parliament. With three seats still in doubt, the Liberals have secured 14 and Labor nine - both short of the 18 needed for a majority, with the Greens on five and four independents. Mr Rockliff has declared he has a mandate to govern with the most seats, but Mr Winter hasn't ruled out relying on confidence and supply of the Greens to govern. Several independents have said they're open to backing either Mr Rockliff or Mr Winter as the state's next premier. With three-quarters of the count completed, Labor's primary vote has dropped 3.2 per cent to 25.8 - the lowest for the party in Tasmanian history. It came despite a massive swing toward Labor in the state at the May federal poll. The Liberals ran a campaign narrative of laying the blame for an early election at the feet of Mr Winter, after a Labor-led no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff was successful. "It may have been a case of 'we've given you a chance and rewarded you at federal level and now you want to be rewarded again?'," election analyst Kevin Bonham said of Labor's poor showing. Labor has been in opposition since 2014 and has struggled for traction despite ballooning net debt and infrastructure stuff-ups under the Liberals. The Liberals picked up a 3.2 per cent swing with a primary vote of 39.9 per cent, well away from their 48.7 per cent when they were elected in majority in 2021. One-third of the state didn't vote for the major two parties, with several independents increasing their support. The Liberals were plunged into minority in 2023 when two MPs quit to the crossbench. A snap 2024 poll delivered a hung parliament but Labor refused to govern. While it wasn't the end of majority government, it was now more difficult for the majors to get there, Dr Bonham said. A roughly 20 per cent cohort of voters who traditionally swung between the major parties in Tasmania had seemingly broken down, he said. Labor went to the election without big vote-getter Rebecca White, who has switched to federal politics, and popular ex-Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who retired. The Liberals ran ex-federal MPs Bridget Archer and Gavin Pearce, who were both elected. Tasmania's politicians might need to get used to sharing power amid a falling Labor vote and crossbench rise. Incumbent premier Jeremy Rockliff and Labor's Dean Winter are courting the support of independents after Saturday's snap poll delivered another hung parliament. With three seats still in doubt, the Liberals have secured 14 and Labor nine - both short of the 18 needed for a majority, with the Greens on five and four independents. Mr Rockliff has declared he has a mandate to govern with the most seats, but Mr Winter hasn't ruled out relying on confidence and supply of the Greens to govern. Several independents have said they're open to backing either Mr Rockliff or Mr Winter as the state's next premier. With three-quarters of the count completed, Labor's primary vote has dropped 3.2 per cent to 25.8 - the lowest for the party in Tasmanian history. It came despite a massive swing toward Labor in the state at the May federal poll. The Liberals ran a campaign narrative of laying the blame for an early election at the feet of Mr Winter, after a Labor-led no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff was successful. "It may have been a case of 'we've given you a chance and rewarded you at federal level and now you want to be rewarded again?'," election analyst Kevin Bonham said of Labor's poor showing. Labor has been in opposition since 2014 and has struggled for traction despite ballooning net debt and infrastructure stuff-ups under the Liberals. The Liberals picked up a 3.2 per cent swing with a primary vote of 39.9 per cent, well away from their 48.7 per cent when they were elected in majority in 2021. One-third of the state didn't vote for the major two parties, with several independents increasing their support. The Liberals were plunged into minority in 2023 when two MPs quit to the crossbench. A snap 2024 poll delivered a hung parliament but Labor refused to govern. While it wasn't the end of majority government, it was now more difficult for the majors to get there, Dr Bonham said. A roughly 20 per cent cohort of voters who traditionally swung between the major parties in Tasmania had seemingly broken down, he said. Labor went to the election without big vote-getter Rebecca White, who has switched to federal politics, and popular ex-Speaker Michelle O'Byrne, who retired. The Liberals ran ex-federal MPs Bridget Archer and Gavin Pearce, who were both elected.
Perth Now
42 minutes ago
- Perth Now
What Labor has pledged to put in place in second term
The Albanese government has promised action on family costs, health, defence and the environment. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) The Albanese government has promised action on family costs, health, defence and the environment. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP The Albanese government will look to implement a long list of promises it made at the election when parliament resumes. COST OF LIVING: * $1,000 tax deductions from 2026-27 for work-related expenses. * Cap prescription medication at $25 and $7.70 for concession card holders. HOUSING: * Five per cent deposits and 100,000 new homes for first-home buyers. * Electricity bill rebates of $75 per household for the final quarters of 2025. HEALTH: * $8.5 billion over four years for Medicare to expand bulk-billing and create 50 extra urgent care clinics. * Free mental health services, new training facilities for professionals, upgrading mental health centres and improvements to mental health organisation Headspace. GENDER: * $573 million in funding for women's health, including spending on long-term contraceptives and expanding endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics. * Men's mental health support measures, which will include training for primary health care workers and support programs. CHILDCARE: * Three days of subsidised child care for every family. * A $1 billion fund to build new childcare centres. EDUCATION: * 20 per cent off HECS debt for university students and graduates. * 100,000 fee-free TAFE placements. DEFENCE: * Grow defence spending by $50.3 billion over the next decade, expanding spending from 2 per cent of GDP to 2.33 per cent by 2033/34. ENVIRONMENT: * Establish a federal Environmental Protection Agency. * $1 billion to support green iron manufacturing, including $500 million for the Whyalla steelworks.
