PoliticsLive: Labor leader Rebecca White refuses to concede in Tasmania election, hints at Grens alliance

Rebecca White has rejected Premier Jeremy Rockliff's claim of victory, suggesting Labor may be able to form a government.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff, Senator Jacqui Lambie and Labor leader Rebecca White.

Welcome to The Weekend Australian's coverage of the day's political events and major headlines, as Tasmania voted in Saturday's state election. Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the Liberal Party are best placed to form government, but voters have ensured a hung parliament in the 35-seat lower house. Recap how election night unfolded below:

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Live Updates

11:04 pm March 23, 2024

Greens hint at coalition in new hung parliament

The future of Tasmania's new AFL stadium is looking precarious as the Greens have vowed to tear up the contract.

Despite signing up to be foundational member of the Tasmanian Devils AFL team, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff will reject, and potentially scrap, the new Macquarie Point stadium.

In the third victory speech for the night, Ms Woodruff hinted at a potential coalition after the Greens faired better than expected in the poll, potentially securing between five to six seats as counting continues.

"The Greens will hold firm in standing up to the whimsies of the AFL. This generation of Tasmanians want action on health, housing and the climate crisis, they don't want a new billion dollar stadium when we already have one," Ms Woodruff said.

"Change is needed, change is possible. We're committed to stepping into this new parliament with this in mind. It's been a momentous campaign, focused on a 50 point plan, not a three-word slogan," Ms Woodruff said.

"The Greens will return to parliament, further empowered for those who need a bed in hospital, a house and be a voice for nature."

The Greens campaigned on issues including free public transport, renters rights, stronger environmental laws, levies on short stays and promising to tackle ambulance ramping and remove fish farms.

Ms Woodruff said the Greens "are going to push the next government" on their platforms, will work to give the EPA some "real fangs" and lobby to ban conversion processes in Tasmania.

10:34 pm March 23, 2024

White refuses to concede, seeks to govern

Rebecca White has dug her heels in and is refusing to concede.

ALP Tasmania leader Rebecca White is hoping to negotiate her way into government. Photo: Matthew Denholm.

The Tasmanian Labor leader has rejected Premier Jeremy Rockliff's claim of victory in the state election, suggesting Labor may be able to form a government.

"Labor will be ready to work with the parliament to implement our agenda…if that is the will of the people," Ms White said.

She said the election result was a clear "vote for change" but that it would take weeks to determine the final make up of the parliament and who would govern.

"One thing is clear, Tasmanians have rejected the Liberal party… Tasmanians have humbled a Premier," she said.

Ms White has also confirmed Labor will not enter into a coalition with any other party or member in order to govern.

"The final make up of this parliament is not yet clear, but what is clear is that Jeremy Rockcliff will not be able to govern without the support of at least four independents," Ms White said.

"Governing will be a very difficult task for them to manage with respect," Ms White said.

She said the election has shown Tasmanians have rejected the past and want change.

10:19 pm March 23, 2024

'Disaster': ALP senator lashes White

Labor Senator Helen Polley has conceded the result of the Tasmanian election is a disaster for opposition leader Rebecca White and the ALP.

Senator Polley told Sky News the results so far show there is more work to be done as Labor is on track to record its lowest ever primary vote.

"We need to re-engage with the community and rebuild trust. We have to go back and listen to the community, there are real issues here. This bad for both major parties," she said.

Senator Polley said the ALP cannot form a "credible and legitimate government with just 10 members so far."

"This is also a bad result for Jeremy Rockcliff as he's failed to deliver for Tasmanians," Senator Polley said.

10:13 pm March 23, 2024

'I'm only getting started': Rockcliff claims win

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockcliff addresses the Tally Room on Saturday night. Photo – Matthew Denholm.

"It looks like another Liberal win," Premier Jeremy Rockcliff said as he addressed his supporters at The Tally Room in Tasmania on Saturday night.

"There is still clearly more counting to go over the coming days, weeks, maybe more, but two things are clear that this a historic, fourth consecutive win for the Liberal party of Tasmania and the Liberal party has gained the most votes and the most seats in this election," Mr Rockcliff said.

"Tasmanians have delivered a clear message. They have not voted for a change of government. This has been a very poor result for the Labor party of Tasmania. They haven't got enough seats to form a cabinet, let alone a government."

Mr Rockcliff thanked his "team of the decade" and vowed to work "with the parliament Tasmanians have elected today".

Despite going to the polls a year ahead of schedule after numerous members defecting to the crossbench, Mr Rockcliff said: "It is now incumbent for us to work together and put aside our differences."

Mr Rockcliff also quashed rumours he would step down, reaffirming his love for the job as leader and premier.

"I love this place, I was born here, I will always live right here in Tasmania. I thank each and every Tasmanian for standing up and being counted.

"I'm only getting started. I love this job," he said.

9:42 pm March 23, 2024

ALP-Greens coalition not on the cards: Polley

Tasmanian Senator Helen Polley has said despite Labor and leader Rebecca White not gaining traction in the polls, they will not do "backroom deals" with the Greens in order to govern with a majority.

Senator Polley said Ms White will speak on Saturday night, but ruled out the ALP would agree to teaming up with the Greens purely for the fact "Labor supports salmon (farming), and the industry it supports."

"There will not be a coalition with the Greens," Senator Polley said, while brushing off suggestions she is a powerbroker inside Tasmania Labor.

With more than 49 per cent of the vote counted, the Liberals are projected to win 13 seats, Labor 10 and the Greens between four to six seats.

The new parliament may also see an expanded crossbench with one independent and two potential Jacqui Lambie Network candidates winning seats.

8:44 pm March 23, 2024 Highlight

Libs tracking for minority amid strong Greens vote

Matthew Denholm

Tasmania is on track for a hung parliament, with the Liberals likely to fall at least three seats short of a majority amid a strong Greens vote.

An analysis of results with 7 to 16 per cent of the vote counted in the state’s five multi-member electorates points to the Liberals holding 13 to 15 seats, Labor 9 to 10, and the Greens 5 to 6.

The fledgling Jacqui Lambie Network is a chance of winning up to three, but may fall short, with at least one and possibly two independents.

If reflected in the final count, such a result would leave the two major parties scrambling to win the support of minor parties to govern.

While the incumbent Liberals, led by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, will have the most seats, the likely crossbench would appear more sympathetic to Labor, led by Rebecca White, in her third attempt to drag her party out of the political wilderness.

A large field of independents has so far not gained the traction some polls had forecast, although incumbent Kristie Johnston appears to have a good chance of election in Hobart-based Clark.

Former Labor leader-turned-independent David O’Byrne remains a chance in southern Franklin.

Barring any surprises in the count of remaining primary votes, it appears likely a result will have to await the distribution of preferences from April 2.

Former Howard-era federal minister Eric Abetz appears set for a switch to state politics, topping the Liberal Party ticket in Franklin.

Both major parties have ruled out trading ministries or policies to secure the backing of crossbench MPs, but have promised to make minority government work.

They are expected to address a packed tally room in Hobart later on Saturday night.

8:28 pm March 23, 2024 Highlight

AFL stadium 'bullshit': Lambie rages at Rockcliff

Jacqui Lambie has called the new AFL stadium "bullshit" and has hinted her candidates may be reluctant to work with Jeremy Rockcliff, should the Liberal premier remain leader.

"We extended the hand of friendship and he failed to take it. They haven't been playing this game well at all. We are about integrity and transparency and what they've seen on the ground is shocking and disgraceful," Senator Lambie told Sky News.

"That's bullshit about the stadium. Dictating that there needed to be a roof over a stadium when people down here don't even have roofs over their head? Bullshit. I say to Jeremy Rockcliff, should my candidates get up, pass us over that contract, big boy, but he won't.

"This will come down to transparency. Prioritising the people of Tasmania first and foremost rather than a bloody stadium," she said.

Early polling shows the Jacqui Lambie Network is projected to win three or four seats in the Tasmanian election.

The leader of the minor party said her candidates will "be the adults in the room" should they be successful and confirmed she urged them to "stay out of the rubble and learn their roles and jobs" in the next parliament rather than be kingmakers.

"I'll keep them humble. We take nothing for granted, we would love to win three or four seats but we run on the smell of an oily rag. My job is to mentor them, I have to stand back and let them make their own decisions as the adults in the room," she said.

Senator Lambie ruled out running candidates in future state and territory elections in order to protect her "mental health" and help her try and find some "work and life balance."

"No. We'll only run in the federal seats and possibly Senate."

8:00 pm March 23, 2024

Early polling shows Liberal minority

Matthew Denholm

With up to 9 per cent of votes counted in some electorates in the Tasmanian election, the incumbent Liberals are on track for 13 to 14 seats in the 35 seat House of Assembly.

Labor are tracking to win between 9-10 seats, the Greens 4-5, the Jacqui Lambie Network may pick up two.

Independents Kristie Johnston (Clark) and Craig Garland (Braddon) are among independents polling reasonably well in early results.

However, these are early figures in primary votes only and are likely to fluctuate considerably during the course of the count.

7:57 pm March 23, 2024

'Election not my fault': rogue Lib MP

Liberal defector John Tucker – the Lyons MP who quit party – says the early election is not due his threats to withdraw confidence and supply for the Rockcliff government.

"I don't see it as my fault that the election was called," Mr Tucker, who ran as an independent, told the ABC.

Mr Tucker defected to the cross bench after claiming the Liberal government was showing contempt for parliament and its decisions on animal welfare and the proposed Macquarie Point stadium – the home for the new Tasmanian Devils AFL team.

However, on Saturday after polls closed Mr Tucker said he would be open to working with anyone and everyone should he be elected.

7:20 pm March 23, 2024

'We'll be police on the beat': Lambie's vow

Jacqui Lambie has responded to criticism that her party ran a campaign with no policy or platforms in the Tasmanian election.

Lambie Network candidates for Braddon, Miriam Beswick and Craig Cutts, were joined by Senator and party leader Jacqui Lambie as they cast their vote at Reece High School in Devonport on Saturday. Picture: Patrick Gee.

"What's the point in having policy out there when most of them can't stick to it?" the Senator told the ABC.

"Our people out there talking to people. People can see where I stand. I've been up there long enough in the Senate. They know what I stand for integrity. They know I stand for truth. They know where I stand on everything. They know the houses I've delivered down here. They know what we've done for health down here. This is what we're all about," the leader of the Jacqui Lambie Network said.

"We will fight like hell for Tasmanians. We will look at those bills. We'll look at that ledge. We will make it as best as we possibly can. If we have the influence to make change on that, which hopefully we will, that's what we're going to do. We're going to be like police on the beat. We're going to bring integrity back in the state of Tasmania."

Her comments came as early voting in the seat of Braddon show the Jacqui Lambie Network is polling close to 9 per cent and about 6.8 per cent in the total Tasmanian vote.

There are early swings against the Liberal government, but those votes have not gone to the Labor party, instead voters have scattered their support amongst the Greens and independents.