Liberal Party takes heart from Tasmania result as shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien urges Labor to concede
Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien declared the result as a sign the party remains a political force, after the Liberals suffered a bruising federal election defeat.
Mr O'Brien told Sky News Sunday Agenda that Premier Jeremy Rockliff's performance had been excellent, and called on
Labor's Dean Winter to concede defeat.
'The people have spoken… Labor and others really pushed for this election when they should not have, and you've got to honour the will of the people,' he said.
Mr O'Brien described the election as one 'the people of Tasmania certainly didn't want' but said the result was a boost for the Liberal Party after its devastating federal outcome.
'Those who think the Liberal Party is on its knees and nearly dead — I think you can only just look at the Tasmanian election and say, 'Well, hang on',' he said.
'As a political movement, the Liberal Party actually has gone very well down there… Federally, we are rebuilding.
'And so if anything, it really should be a message of inspiration to Liberals right across the country.'
Sky News election analyst Tom Connell has projected the Liberals to win 14 seats, Labor nine, the Greens five, and three independents — with four seats still undecided.
A majority requires 18 seats in the 35-member lower house, meaning Tasmania is headed for another hung parliament.
Premier Rockliff claimed victory on Saturday night, pointing to a three per cent swing towards the Liberal Party.
Labor's Dean Winter has so far refused to concede, despite his party suffering its worst-ever primary vote of 26 per cent.
He said the result had not delivered a clear majority and flagged that the Liberals may struggle to govern without formal support from the crossbench.
'Another election is not an option, which means we need to figure this out,' Mr Winter said.
Federal Attorney General Michelle Rowland told Sky News that the election still has a 'bit to play out'.
'Tasmanians have spoken, and I think it's now time to work out what they've said. And I think once that is done, then there'll be much better opportunity to comment,' she said.
Several key independents have ruled out entering formal confidence-and-supply agreements with either major party, setting the stage for protracted negotiations.
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