Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein takes punt on early poll
Peter Gutwein backs his pandemic management and gambles on May 1 poll, but Labor, Greens believe they can cause an upset.
Tasmanian Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein has gambled on an early election, capitalising on strong public support for his pandemic management, but Labor and the Greens believe they can cause an upset.
Mr Gutwein, handed the premiership in January last year just before coronavirus struck, rejected suggestions of cynical self-interest, arguing the May 1 poll was justified after Speaker Sue Hickey quit the Liberals this week, plunging the government into minority.
“I have called the election because we want to secure Tasmania’s future,” Mr Gutwein said on Friday, after visiting Governor Kate Warner to request the snap poll, which was not due until March next year. “At the moment, Tasmania has dealt with the pandemic as well as any other jurisdiction on this planet. We are rebuilding our economy. We are creating jobs. It is important that we don’t lose that moment and that we continue to secure the future for Tasmania. That’s why I’ve called this election.”
Latest polling, by EMRS in February, showed the Liberals on 52 per cent to Labor’s 27 per cent and the Greens on 14 per cent.
While 52 per cent appears a winning margin, Tasmania’s multi-member electoral system, known as Hare Clark, and the small size of the 25-seat lower house, makes most elections close.
In the current House of Assembly, the Liberals have 12 MPs, Labor nine, and the Greens two, with two independents, including Ms Hickey.
Mr Gutwein said should his party fall short of a majority, it would not seek to form minority government or a coalition. “I will give a very clear commitment: I will govern in majority or not at all,” he said.
Having made a decision in recent days to go to the polls early, the Liberals concluded it was better to go sooner rather than later, due in part to the pregnancy of Labor Opposition Leader Rebecca White. Ms White and husband Rod are expecting their second child — a daughter, due in June. Mr Gutwein rejected suggestions forcing Ms White into a five-week election campaign during a relatively advanced stage of pregnancy was disrespectful.
“I have given this a great of thought — obviously an election later this year is completely out of the question (because) in late June Ms White will be giving birth … and through July will have a newborn child,” Mr Gutwein said.
Ms White flagged Labor would focus on jobs, housing, health and education, as well as opposition to government plans to restructure TAFE. While accusing Mr Gutwein of forcing Tasmanians to an early election because of “his failure to manage internal divisions within the Liberals”, she vowed she and Labor were ready to fight.
“I’m no different to any other woman who has worked while she is pregnant,” she said. “This is a brilliant time for us to go to an election. It doesn’t matter whether I’m pregnant or not. We will be campaigning as hard as we can … because Tasmanians deserve a better government.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor was confident the party could improve on its two seats. “We’ll be running on our record of standing up for communities, standing up for the forests and the wilderness, for Tasmanians who need to secure a home for our children and young people,” Ms O’Connor said.
The Liberals, in office since 2014, are understood to believe they can pick up seats in the electorates of Bass, Braddon, Clark and even Franklin.
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