Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff seeks to re-form government as Labor heads towards its worst ever result

Tasmania’s Liberal premier has claimed an election victory but his party must still gain the support of a crossbench to govern.

Saturday’s poll, called after Jeremy Rockliff lost a vote of no-confidence in June, has returned a very similar parliament. 

The Liberals had picked up a 3.5 per cent swing with counting continuing late on Saturday night, with Labor losing about three per cent of their vote.

Labor’s primary vote of below 26 per cent is on track to be the worst in Tasmania’s history. 

The Liberals have secured 13 seats and appear on track for 14-15, short of the 18 required for majority but ahead of Labor’s eight confirmed seats. 

Speaking alongside his family, Mr Rockliff claimed a win, saying a Labor-led motion of no-confidence had backfired on leader Dean Winter.

‘A little over six weeks ago, the leader of the opposition forced this unnecessary election on the Tasmanian people by moving a vote of no-confidence,’ Mr Rockliff said. 

‘The people of Tasmania, in return, have said they have no confidence in the Labor Party to form government.

‘It is our team, the Liberal Party, who will achieve the most seats in this election, with a significantly increased vote.’ 

Mr Rockliff said intended to visit the governor and ask her to recommission his government. 

However, Mr Rockliff faces dealings with a left-leaning crossbench including at least three independents who are opposed to his pet-project new AFL stadium. 

Labor could potentially form government with the Greens, who appear set to hold five seats, along with independents. 

Mr Winter has previously ruled out doing a deal with the Greens but has kept the door ajar for some sort of minority government agreement. 

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff urged Mr Winter to pick up the phone and have a conversation about working together. 

‘We are ready to work collaboratively in the best interest of Tasmanians,’ Ms Woodruff said. 

Independents Kristie Johnston and Craig Garland, who voted no-confidence in Mr Rockliff, have been returned to parliament. 

Anti-salmon farming independent Peter George has been successful in getting a state seat after a strong run at the recent federal poll. 

Labor upper house MP Sarah Lovell seemed to indicate her party was keeping the door open to forging a path to its own minority government. 

‘We have seen Jeremy Rockliff… fail to make a minority worker twice now,’ she told the ABC. 

‘We don’t want to be back here in 12 months.’ 

The Liberals, who have been in power since 2014, have been in minority since 2023 when two MPs quit to the crossbench.

The Liberals entered the campaign with 14 seats and Labor 10. 

It could be weeks for the final count to be completed, with the last postal votes not expected to arrive until the end of July. 

The no-confidence motion against Mr Rockliff, put forward by Labor and supported by the Greens and three crossbenchers, was critical of budget debt and a bungled ferry delivery.