Latest news with #Tasmanians
Herald Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Herald Sun
Tasmania election: Winter mulls Greens deal as hung parliament looms
Tasmanians are no closer to knowing who will lead the state after Saturday's snap election led to a hung parliament, with neither major party able to form a majority government. The results two days on show Tasmania Labor is still on track for its worst ever electoral performance with the party currently sitting on under 26 per cent of the primary vote with the Liberals on 40 per cent and the Greens capturing 14 per cent of voters first choices. Labor's 2025 state election result is the party's worst electoral performance since 1903. Despite the result, Labor is likely to end up with the same number of MPs as it did in the 2024 election when it achieved 29 per cent of the primary, while the Liberals had 14 seats – short of the 18 to form majority. While Premier Jeremy Rockliff is claiming a mandate for the Liberal Party to continue in power, Labor leader Dean Winter may still work with the Greens and crossbenchers to form a minority government. Labor Leader Dean Winter with his wife Allison at Hobart Grand Chancellor tally room on election night. Picture: Caroline Tan As the election night results rolled into the Tasmanian tally room, it looked increasingly like Mr Winter's election gamble had backfired. What makes this election outcome different is unlike in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 result, the Labor leader has not refused to attempt to form government with the Greens and independent crossbench. Despite ruling out any formal deal with the Greens, Mr Winter says he has already reached out to a number of independents. The Greens have urged Labor to seek an arrangement with them to form government. It is understood the Labor leader has yet to contact Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. However for Labor to govern in any capacity, the Greens support in some form will be required. Mr Rockliff who all but declared victory on Saturday night is adamant that he is the one with a mandate to govern. 'I do have a mandate, given we've got the largest number of seats,' the Premier told reporters on Monday. 'For Dean Winter to govern, he'll need to do a deal with the Greens for which he does not have a mandate from the Tasmanian people.' Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff says he has the mandate to form a minority government. Picture: Caroline Tan The problem for the Liberals however is that with a likely 14 or possibly 15 seats, they are also well short of the 18 votes needed to command a workable majority on the floor of the 35-seat House of Assembly. Additionally, with the former Jacqui Lambie members all losing their seats, the House will be without conservative leaning independents, with three of the four independents elected opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium. The only crossbench member to support the project is former Labor leader David O Byrne, who said he could work with either side to form government. There could be an additional new member to the crossbench with Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Carlo di Falco a chance to win in Lyons, however a final result is not expected for another week. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers are opposed to the stadium, meaning one of Mr Rockliff's key commitments would only be delivered with Labor votes, regardless of who forms government. Tasmania Labor's path to power looks less certain but they can count on Greens support in whatever form that comes (Mr Winter says the support would only be accepted without any conditions attached) Labor leader Dean Winter's chances of forming government are more difficult. Picture: Caroline Tan With a likely 10 seats from Labor and five from the Greens, Mr Winter would then only have to negotiate with three independents, something Mr Winter was unwilling to do just one month ago. Saturday's election was held follow the passage of Labor leader's successful no confidence motion in Premier Rockliff's leadership with Mr Winter citing the botched roll out of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, the state's growing budget deficit and the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project as examples of Mr Rockliff's failed leadership. Despite being in a position to put together a minority government as a result of the no confidence motion's passage, Mr Winter chose to decline the opportunity, leaving the state's Governor with no choice but to grant Mr Rockliff's wish to hold the state's second election in just 16 months. Instead of a clear result. Tasmanian voters have returned very similar numbers as the last parliament. This time Mr Winter may be less likely to pass the opportunity of government up, with the Labor leader calling a third election 'not an option.' Originally published as How Labor Party could still form government in Tasmania despite 'worst ever' election result
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Courier-Mail
Tasmania election: Winter mulls Greens deal as hung parliament looms
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Tasmanians are no closer to knowing who will lead the state after Saturday's snap election led to a hung parliament, with neither major party able to form a majority government. The results two days on show Tasmania Labor is still on track for its worst ever electoral performance with the party currently sitting on under 26 per cent of the primary vote with the Liberals on 40 per cent and the Greens capturing 14 per cent of voters first choices. Labor's 2025 state election result is the party's worst electoral performance since 1903. Despite the result, Labor is likely to end up with the same number of MPs as it did in the 2024 election when it achieved 29 per cent of the primary, while the Liberals had 14 seats – short of the 18 to form majority. While Premier Jeremy Rockliff is claiming a mandate for the Liberal Party to continue in power, Labor leader Dean Winter may still work with the Greens and crossbenchers to form a minority government. Labor Leader Dean Winter with his wife Allison at Hobart Grand Chancellor tally room on election night. Picture: Caroline Tan As the election night results rolled into the Tasmanian tally room, it looked increasingly like Mr Winter's election gamble had backfired. What makes this election outcome different is unlike in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 result, the Labor leader has not refused to attempt to form government with the Greens and independent crossbench. Despite ruling out any formal deal with the Greens, Mr Winter says he has already reached out to a number of independents. The Greens have urged Labor to seek an arrangement with them to form government. It is understood the Labor leader has yet to contact Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. However for Labor to govern in any capacity, the Greens support in some form will be required. Mr Rockliff who all but declared victory on Saturday night is adamant that he is the one with a mandate to govern. 'I do have a mandate, given we've got the largest number of seats,' the Premier told reporters on Monday. 'For Dean Winter to govern, he'll need to do a deal with the Greens for which he does not have a mandate from the Tasmanian people.' Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff says he has the mandate to form a minority government. Picture: Caroline Tan The problem for the Liberals however is that with a likely 14 or possibly 15 seats, they are also well short of the 18 votes needed to command a workable majority on the floor of the 35-seat House of Assembly. Additionally, with the former Jacqui Lambie members all losing their seats, the House will be without conservative leaning independents, with three of the four independents elected opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium. The only crossbench member to support the project is former Labor leader David O Byrne, who said he could work with either side to form government. There could be an additional new member to the crossbench with Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Carlo di Falco a chance to win in Lyons, however a final result is not expected for another week. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers are opposed to the stadium, meaning one of Mr Rockliff's key commitments would only be delivered with Labor votes, regardless of who forms government. Tasmania Labor's path to power looks less certain but they can count on Greens support in whatever form that comes (Mr Winter says the support would only be accepted without any conditions attached) Labor leader Dean Winter's chances of forming government are more difficult. Picture: Caroline Tan With a likely 10 seats from Labor and five from the Greens, Mr Winter would then only have to negotiate with three independents, something Mr Winter was unwilling to do just one month ago. Saturday's election was held follow the passage of Labor leader's successful no confidence motion in Premier Rockliff's leadership with Mr Winter citing the botched roll out of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, the state's growing budget deficit and the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project as examples of Mr Rockliff's failed leadership. Despite being in a position to put together a minority government as a result of the no confidence motion's passage, Mr Winter chose to decline the opportunity, leaving the state's Governor with no choice but to grant Mr Rockliff's wish to hold the state's second election in just 16 months. Instead of a clear result. Tasmanian voters have returned very similar numbers as the last parliament. This time Mr Winter may be less likely to pass the opportunity of government up, with the Labor leader calling a third election 'not an option.' Originally published as How Labor Party could still form government in Tasmania despite 'worst ever' election result
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Tassie in state of flux after snap election
Tasmanians are no closer to knowing who will lead the state after Saturday's snap election led to a hung parliament, with neither major party able to form a majority government. The results two days on show Tasmania Labor is still on track for its worst ever electoral performance with the party currently sitting on under 26 per cent of the primary vote with the Liberals on 40 per cent and the Greens capturing 14 per cent of voters first choices. Labor's 2025 state election result is the party's worst electoral performance since 1903. Despite the result, Labor is likely to end up with the same number of MPs as it did in the 2024 election when it achieved 29 per cent of the primary, while the Liberals had 14 seats – short of the 18 to form majority. While Premier Jeremy Rockliff is claiming a mandate for the Liberal Party to continue in power, Labor leader Dean Winter may still work with the Greens and crossbenchers to form a minority government. Labor Leader Dean Winter with his wife Allison at Hobart Grand Chancellor tally room on election night. Caroline Tan Credit: News Corp Australia As the election night results rolled into the Tasmanian tally room, it looked increasingly like Mr Winter's election gamble had backfired. What makes this election outcome different is unlike in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 result, the Labor leader has not refused to attempt to form government with the Greens and independent crossbench. Despite ruling out any formal deal with the Greens, Mr Winter says he has already reached out to a number of independents. The Greens have urged Labor to seek an arrangement with them to form government. It is understood the Labor leader has yet to contact Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. However for Labor to govern in any capacity, the Greens support in some form will be required. Mr Rockliff who all but declared victory on Saturday night is adamant that he is the one with a mandate to govern. 'I do have a mandate, given we've got the largest number of seats,' the Premier told reporters on Monday. 'For Dean Winter to govern, he'll need to do a deal with the Greens for which he does not have a mandate from the Tasmanian people.' Liberal Leader Jeremy Rockliff says he has the mandate to form a minority government. Caroline Tan Credit: News Corp Australia The problem for the Liberals however is that with a likely 14 or possibly 15 seats, they are also well short of the 18 votes needed to command a workable majority on the floor of the 35-seat House of Assembly. Additionally, with the former Jacqui Lambie members all losing their seats, the House will be without conservative leaning independents, with three of the four independents elected opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium. The only crossbench member to support the project is former Labor leader David O Byrne, who said he could work with either side to form government. There could be an additional new member to the crossbench with Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Carlo di Falco a chance to win in Lyons, however a final result is not expected for another week. The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers are opposed to the stadium, meaning one of Mr Rockliff's key commitments would only be delivered with Labor votes, regardless of who forms government. Tasmania Labor's path to power looks less certain but they can count on Greens support in whatever form that comes (Mr Winter says the support would only be accepted without any conditions attached) Labor leader Dean Winter's chances of forming government are more difficult. Caroline Tan Credit: News Corp Australia With a likely 10 seats from Labor and five from the Greens, Mr Winter would then only have to negotiate with three independents, something Mr Winter was unwilling to do just one month ago. Saturday's election was held follow the passage of Labor leader's successful no confidence motion in Premier Rockliff's leadership with Mr Winter citing the botched roll out of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, the state's growing budget deficit and the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project as examples of Mr Rockliff's failed leadership. Despite being in a position to put together a minority government as a result of the no confidence motion's passage, Mr Winter chose to decline the opportunity, leaving the state's Governor with no choice but to grant Mr Rockliff's wish to hold the state's second election in just 16 months. Instead of a clear result. Tasmanian voters have returned very similar numbers as the last parliament. This time Mr Winter may be less likely to pass the opportunity of government up, with the Labor leader calling a third election 'not an option.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Politics, election makes devil's brew of Tassie stadium
A new stadium and Tasmania's AFL dream are inextricably tied to politics, with the state's election delivering more unkind bounces. Construction of a 23,000-seat roofed venue at Macquarie Point in Hobart is a condition of the Devils' licence to enter the league in 2028. The project is backed by the incumbent Liberals and Labor opposition which both fell short of the 18 seats needed for majority government at Saturday's snap poll. Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff and Labor leader Dean Winter have started courting four crossbench independents, three of whom campaigned on an anti-stadium platform. Labor is expected to finish with 10 seats behind the Liberals' 14, meaning in order to govern it would need support of the five-seat Greens who are vehemently anti-stadium. Mr Rockliff and Mr Winter have both declared the stadium is not up for negotiation. "My very firm commitment was for our very own Tassie AFL and AFLW team. I'm very proud of securing the deal," Mr Rockliff said. Talks with the cross bench will likely span weeks, with the three undecided seats potentially not determined until August 2. Two pathways exist for approving the stadium, both of which require a vote of both houses of parliament. The initial method was an assessment under Tasmania's project of state significance process. But tight timelines and financial penalties if the stadium isn't finished for the 2029 season prompted Mr Rockliff to change course and put forward fast-track approval legislation. Debate on that legislation was delayed by the snap election, which was sparked by a Labor-led no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff. Despite Greens and cross bench stadium opposition, the legislation, with Liberal and Labor numbers, will pass the lower house. "What the vote said is that two-thirds of Tasmanians voted for pro-Tassie Devils and pro-stadium candidates. That is resounding," Mr Rockliff said. The stadium, however, faces a trickier path through the 15-member upper house where neither the Liberals nor Labor have the numbers. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon maintained he was confident of the club's 2028 start date. "I'm not a builder but what we need to do is work with the government of the day to get the planning permission ... and basically just get on with it," he told reporters on Monday. The Devils stand ready to work with the incoming Tasmanian government. "We are focused on entering the AFL and AFLW by 2028, in order to do that we have several time frames that must be met," the club said in a statement. "We are very eager to work with the government to realise these."
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Boost to Liberals, swing against Labor as voters punish ALP in Tasmanian poll
Loading ABC election analyst Casey Briggs said it amounted to the party's worst vote in Tasmanian history at just 25.8 per cent of the primary vote as of 10pm. Speaking at the tally room on Saturday night, Labor leader Dean Winter did not concede but also would not reveal whether he will seek to work with the Greens. But he said whoever forms government will have to form a 'new approach to politics in the state' and show a willingness to work together. Winter noted the parliament would likely return a majority of progressive MPs. '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,' he said. Saturday's snap poll, the second in under two years, was called after Rockliff lost a no-confidence-motion brought on by Labor, which criticised his budget management and the bungled roll-out of Spirit of Tasmania ferries. Rockliff chose to call an election instead of resigning. Labor has ruled out doing a deal with The Greens to form government, but has left the door open to accepting supply and confidence from the minor party. The party is predicted to hold either nine or 10 seats in the new parliament, with the Liberals remaining on at least 14. Eighteen seats are needed for a majority. Speaking just after 10pm on Saturday night, Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said Winter needed to have a conversation about the possibility of forming government with the Greens, despite his previous refusals to do so. 'There are differences, but the Greens and Labor have a lot in common too. We are ready. We are ready to work collaboratively in the best interest of Tasmanians and, Dean, I hope you put them first this time too,' she said. The early election has delayed a key vote around the proposed $945 million Macquarie Point Stadium in Hobart and brought fierce anti- and pro-stadium sentiment to the forefront of the campaign. The stadium project – an AFL condition of a new Tasmanian team, The Devils – is backed by Labor and Liberals but opposed by the Greens and most independents. For many, like Hobart resident Travis Price, the proposed stadium and the prospect of a Tasmanian AFL team have ignited a newfound interest in politics. 'The team and the stadium have probably been the first major thing that's got me to actually follow along with the politicians and what's important for the state,' Price said on Saturday at an election-day rally in support of the stadium. He said he voted Liberal, seeing the party as the strongest advocates for the stadium's completion. His dad, James Price, said he was a rusted-on Labor voter. But this election, he instead voted Liberal and blames Labor for bringing about the election and putting the stadium plan in jeopardy. 'They've already spent a lot of money on the stadium, we can't afford to have Labor come in with Greens or independents who don't want a stadium,' he said. However, not all football fans share the Prices' enthusiasm for the current proposal. Sharyn White, while keen for Tasmania to have a stadium, believes the deal demanded by the AFL is unfair on the state. She hopes independents emerge as the big winners on election night. 'Our politicians didn't negotiate us a good deal,' White said. 'We need reasonable people who listen to expert advice.' She was frustrated that the stadium had dominated Tasmanian politics, overshadowing critical issues such as the lack of housing infrastructure, health reform, and education. In 2023, Tasmania was granted a licence for its own AFL team, contingent on the construction of a new 23,000-seat roofed stadium. But the no stadium, no team ultimatum has since been embroiled in political turmoil, with recent polling showing roughly 60 per cent of Tasmanians oppose the contentious development. Both Labor and the Liberals back the stadium, but with independents and anti-stadium Greens likely to play a key role in the event of a hung parliament, there is the possibility they will demand the stadium plans be dropped or altered. Just hours after polls opened, more than a thousand pro-stadium footy fans made their views heard, marching to North Hobart Oval. Aaron Hilder attended with his family and said a stadium would be a game changer for everyone in the state and the loud opposition was frustrating. 'It's so close, but we need to get it over the line,' he said. High-profile independent Kristie Johnston said the stadium project was a key 'filter question' for voters. 'We can't afford it, we don't need it, and it doesn't fit on the site,' she told this masthead. 'As soon as I say no [to the stadium] they are engaged and wanting to know more about what else I stand for in terms of health, housing and education. 'So it's not necessarily a referendum on the stadium, but it's symbolic of the underlying issues about the future of the state.' Johnston accused the AFL of treating Tasmania with 'great disdain' and said the next parliament must 'stand firm … and demand a team, but not be dictated by the AFL in terms of what the conditions for that are'. For many Tasmanians, the debate over the proposed stadium became a reflection of their broader values. As she cast her vote at a polling station on Saturday, Hobart resident Heidi Mirtl said the highly visible debate had taken on profound significance. 'It is the thing that becomes the centrepiece around what underpins the values people hold when they vote,' she said. Mirtl, who believes the state cannot afford the project, cited the Greens' opposition to the stadium as a key reason for her vote, arguing the priority must be the 'desperate need for housing and addressing poverty'. Influential pro-stadium independent David O'Byrne, a former Labor leader, said the prospect of a local AFL team had made politics 'white-hot' and had motivated a new cohort of voters. 'The issue crosses ideological lines,' O'Byrne said. 'There is a group that is motivated to vote strategically in support of something they feel strongly about, which is essentially delivering a Tasmanian football club that we have wanted for a generation.' Tasmania, along with the ACT, uses the Hare-Clark electoral system in the lower house. A form of proportional representation, it was recently expanded so that seven MPs, instead of five, are elected from each of the state's five electorates. This lowers the quota of votes needed to win a seat, boosting the prospects of minor parties and independents. O'Byrne, who said Labor was being blamed by many voters for causing an unnecessary election, pledged to work constructively with whoever can form government if he was re-elected. 'I won't dangle that as a threat,' he said. 'Part of the problem is you've had a couple of independents who provided that supply and confidence last time but, all of a sudden, made everything a test of the relationship and therefore [the government] collapsed.' O'Byrne resigned from Labor after failing to win preselection for the 2024 election following an internal investigation into a sexual harassment allegation from 10 years prior. The investigation found O'Byrne's behaviour was 'inappropriate and wrong' but did not constitute sexual harassment. He was re-elected in 2024 with the highest primary vote of any independent candidate.
