Tasmanian Governor delays decision on snap election following no confidence motion against Premier

Tasmanians will know by the end of the week if they will go to another election, after Premier Jeremy Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion.

A decision on whether Tasmanians will go to a snap election will be made by the end of the week.

Embattled Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff met with Governor Barbara Baker at Government House on Tuesday night, where he was expected to ask her to allow a snap election.

The request comes after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion by one vote in parliament last week, making his position untenable.

He arrived at Government House just before 6pm, shortly after the parliament passed

emergency legislation to ensure public servants would be paid during and after an election.

Government House released a statement just before 7pm, following Mr Rockfliff’s visit.

“Following their conversation, Her Excellency is now taking the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options,” the statement said.

“By the end of the week the Premier will meet with Her Excellency again.

“Further statements will be made in due course.”

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff was expected to request an election on Tuesday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Rockliff released a statement shortly after.

“I respect the need for Her Excellency to take the appropriate time to consider important matters of state,” Mr Rockliff said.

“I remain committed to serving the people of Tasmania.”

Governor Baker can theoretically tell the Premier to return to his party room and see if there’s another person who could become leader.

Unless Mr Rockliff is replaced as Liberal leader, or Labor forms a minority government – an idea Labor leader Dean Winter has rejected – an election is the only option.

Key issues which led to the no confidence vote last week are the state’s struggling economy, friction over the cost for a stadium to house a new AFL team and continually delayed upgrades to the mainland ferry service.

Tasmanians will return to the polls in coming weeks for the fourth time in seven years.

Tasmanians were thrust into an early state election in March 2024, as Mr Rockliff attempted to regain a majority Liberal government.

The previous Liberal leader, Peter Gutwein, called a snap election in 2021 – a year ahead of schedule as well.

Speaker’s bombshell announcement

The Tasmanian Speaker and Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne is set to resign ahead of the next state election.

Ms O’Byrne gave a speech to parliament on Tuesday morning announcing her decision.

“So today it ends for me, but strangely. I do not leave this House disendorsed or defeated because it is actually the right time for me to go,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“I believe passionately in the need for government and parliament to work.

“I want to take this opportunity to remind you all that it is not enough to say that you want minority Government or indeed majority government to work.

“You must be mature enough to make it work.”

Speaker Michelle O'Byrne said she plans to resign ahead of the next state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms O’Byrne was the deciding vote in vote of no-confidence against Premier Jeremy Rockliff last week, which passed the parliament 18-17 after two days of debate.

Making her vote last week she said that she “reflected not only on my appointment as Speaker, but my continuing future in this House, and I will have more to say about that in coming days”.