Tasmania election: Liberals ahead but short of majority to form government
He appeared to leave the door open to governing, if the Liberals couldn't make it work.
Labor leader Dean Winter says he will not "be trading away any of Labor's policies or our values". Source: AAP / Chris Kidd "The result of this election is that the Liberals will have the most seats, but it is uncertain as to how they will achieve a majority," Winter said. "Another election is not an option, which means we need to figure this out." The Greens have retained at least five seats while there are three independents, with counting potentially extending for weeks to determine four undecided seats. Rockliff would need to work with left-leaning independent crossbenchers to govern. Independents Kristie Johnston and Craig Garland, who both voted for the June no-confidence motion against Rockliff that triggered the election, have been returned. Johnston urged the next premier to be more collaborative and said she wouldn't enter into a formal deal for confidence and supply with either major party.
"They need to negotiate and respect the views of parliament," she told the Australian Associated Press.
Independent Kristie Johnston says she will not enter into a formal deal with the Liberals or Labor. Source: AAP / Chris Kidd Anti-salmon activist and independent Peter George has been elected after a strong campaign at the federal election. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has called on Winter to "have a conversation" about forming an alliance with her party. However, Winter has repeatedly ruled out doing a deal with the Greens and on Saturday night also said he wouldn't "be trading away any of Labor's policies or our values". The drawn-out post-election scenario, just 16 months after the previous poll, will further delay the parliamentary approval process for a new $945 million stadium in Hobart. The venue, a condition of Tasmania's AFL licence, is supported by the Liberals and Labor but opposed by the Greens, Garland, Johnston and George. The new parliament will be very similar to the previous one that included 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, five independents and one Jacqui Lambie Network member.
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