Labor ‘stunt’ may force fresh state poll: Liberal MP Jo Palmer slams Dean Winter

A senior Liberal MP has claimed Labor's potential no-confidence motion threatens to derail Tasmania’s fragile parliament just weeks after voters went to the polls. WHAT COULD HAPPEN >>

Tasmanian Labor leader Dean Winter speaks to media about the future of Nyrstar on Monday 28th July 2025. Picture: Linda Higginson

Tasmania could be forced to another state election if Labor moves a no-confidence motion when parliament resumes, a senior Liberal claims.

Liberal MP Jo Palmer has accused Labor leader Dean Winter of “planning another stunt” — something Mr Winter described as “a desperate lie”.

“There’s only two options here,” Ms Palmer said on Monday. “Is he going to force us back to another election or is he going to mislead the people of Tasmania and do a deal with the Greens in order for him to meet his burning political desire for him to be Premier of Tasmania?” Ms Palmer said.

“I just cannot believe he would actually come out and do this.”

Mr Winter has repeatedly ruled out a deal with the Greens and yesterday ruled out any move that might prompt a return to the polls.

“There is no circumstance in which I will allow another early election. I don’t want that, nor do Tasmanians,” he said.

“This is the same sort of desperate lies we have seen from the Liberals for more than a week. “They have the first opportunity to secure the confidence of the House. That’s the only thing they should be concerned about now.”

If the Liberals were recommissioned as a minority government with the support of independents, they would be expected to seek a vote of confidence when Parliament returns.

An election would result only if a majority of parliament did not support the Liberals and no other party was able to form an alternative government.

Ms Palmer said Tasmanians wanted stability.

“People have voted they have given us the parliament that they want us to work with,” she said.

“Jeremy Rockliff has been overwhelmingly endorsed as the person that the people of Tasmania want to have as their premier and he is doing everything he can to make that work.

“In complete contrast, Mr Winter has come out refused to rule out a no-confidence motion, another stunt on the floor of parliament when parliament returns, which could either send us to another election.”

Liberal MP Jo Palmer. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The July 19 election delivered majority to neither major party.

As the count continues, the Liberals look set to take 14 or 15 seats in the 35-seat House of Assembly, Labor 10 or possibly 11. The Greens look set to hold five.

Ms Palmer said Mr Winter had the chance to form government after Labor’s no-confidence motion on June 4.

“He was given the opportunity, with just ten seats just six weeks ago to form government,” she said.

“He was given that opportunity, he could have done it then, and he shied away from it.

“So the only thing that seems to have changed is that Labor has a dismal vote, their worst vote ever on the floor, and at an election, he still only has 10 seats. So what’s changed?”

Mr Winter said it was up to the Liberals to try to form government.

“This is in Jeremy Rockliff’s hands. He’s won 14 seats and he needs to get to 18 seats,” he said on Monday.

Tasmanian Labor leader Dean Winter. Picture: Linda Higginson

“He’s got the first opportunity to form a government here. He’s got to negotiate with the crossbench.

“He needs to change, if he continues the way he’s been operating, we will have yet more instability.

“The Liberals have taken Tasmanians to three early elections in a row.

“If they keep operating the same way, we’re going to keep getting the same results.”

Mr Winter held a press conference on Monday, calling for swift and decisive action from the state government to ensure the future of Hobart’s Nystar zinc smelter.

Mr Winter said there had been months of uncertainty over the future of several of Tasmania’s major industrials — but particularly Nystar.

“We have already offered bipartisan support for Nyrstar and for a support package from the Tasmanian Government,” he said.

“There’s no excuses here, we want to see these jobs continue, we want to see this business continue for the long term and manufacturing in Tasmania to have a strong future.”

Ms Palmer said talks with Nystar were continuing.

“My understanding is that the premier has been working with the federal government and with the company to ensure that they are able to support that company in an appropriate manner,” she said.

Originally published as Labor ‘stunt’ may force fresh state poll: Liberal MP Jo Palmer slams Dean Winter