Tasmanian Labor leader quits after being unable to win three state elections

The leader of Tasmania’s Labor Party has announced her next steps after failing to win government for a third time at last Saturday’s state election.

Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White has announced she will stand down as leader after Saturday’s state election loss.

The 41-year-old has failed to win government at three state elections and says it’s now time to give someone else a go.

“It has been an enormous privilege to hold this position and I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and our broader membership for so many years,” she said on Tuesday.

Rebecca White, voting with her daughter Mia 7 on Saturday, has decided to stand down as Labor leader in Tasmania after failing to win Saturday’s state election. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Davis-Jones

“It is time for a new leader to take on the opportunity of guiding our great party with the ambition to form government at the next election.”

She said she would remain in parliament, but would not say who should replace her as leader.

“I’ll work beside them to make sure we can bring about the change that I know Tasmania deserves,” she said.

“I’ll do everything we can to support that outcome.”

She said Labor was in a “good position” ahead of the next election.

“They’ve lost a lot [the Liberals] in this election campaign, not just in terms of support across the electorate, but I think credibility too,” she said.

Ms White said on Tuesday she was proud of the election campaign

She had led Labor to elections in 2018, 2021 and this year.

She said she was looking forward to spending more time with her children, aged seven and two.

“My children know no different to me working a lot.

“And it’s going to be nice to be more present in their lives as they continue to grow,” she said.

“There’s been a lot of sacrifices over the past seven years.”

Rebecca White says she was proud of Labor’s election campaign despite losing Saturday’s election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Rob Burnett

Tasmanians are still waiting to see the final outcome of Saturday’s election, with neither party winning enough seats to form majority government in the 35-seat parliament.

Jeremy Rockliff fell short of the 18 seats required and is now courting a crossbench that could include up to three candidates from the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) for support.

Ms White, despite being defiant on Saturday night, conceded Labor with 10 seats would not be able to form government.

Mr Rockliff and Ms White had both ruled out negotiating with the Greens.

A final election result likely won’t be finalised until a couple of weeks because of the Easter public holidays.