Tasmanian poll looms unless Liberals axe leader Jeremy Rockliff

Tasmanians face their second state election in 15 months after Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff lost a no-confidence vote, but some Liberals are pushing a leadership change to avoid the poll.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, right, after the no-confidence motion was passed. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

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Tasmanians face their second state election in 15 months after Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff lost a no-confidence vote, but some Liberals are pushing a leadership change to avoid the poll.

An emotional Mr Rockliff on Thursday restated his intention to seek a snap early election, after losing a no-confidence vote in state parliament, accusing Labor of “cowardice” and a “grab for power”.

However, as the state budget was yet to pass, the election call will have to wait for the passage of emergency legislation to ensure public services have funds to ­continue to function during the campaign. That leaves time for the Liberal party room to replace Mr Rockliff and remain in power, although it was unclear whether MPs would take this option or continue to back Mr Rockliff to fight an election.

Tasmania’s House of Assembly voted 18 to 17 to express no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff over alleged budget mismanagement, bungled ferries infrastructure and a privatisation push. The vote was tied 17 each, before Labor Speaker Michelle O’Byrne used her casting vote to pass the no-confidence motion.

Mr Rockliff immediately restated his intention to seek an early election. “This will be an election that Tasmanians don’t want and that Tasmania cannot afford,” he told the Assembly.

He said a snap poll was “on the heads” of Labor leader Dean Winter and the ALP. “This has been a selfish grab for power that we will fight and do our darnedest to win … This is not a fair fight; this is a cowardice act.”

Labor leader Dean Winter with deputy leader Anita Dow on Thursday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Rockliff, who appeared exhausted after a two-day debate, said he was disappointed that the no-confidence motion passed but vowed to “fight this all the way”. “This is a sad day for Tasmania,” he said.

The deposed Premier said the minority government elected in March 2024 had achieved much for all MPs. “We’ve got most of our agenda through because of our negotiations with each other,” he said. “That’s why I’m so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly.”

Mr Rockliff stood by the Hobart AFL stadium and Devils team. “I believe in this team so passionately because it’s working now – young kids right now believe and are aspiring,” he said.

The embattled leader said his ultimate advice to Lieutenant Governor Christopher Shanahan would be to call an election unless Labor leader Dean Winter was able to form government with the Greens; something Mr Winter has ruled out. Sources told The Australian that while unlikely, there were discussions within the Parliamentary Liberal Party about replacing Mr Rockliff – most likely with former treasurer Michael Ferguson – to avoid an election.

Senior Liberal figures believe the PLP is committing electoral suicide in going to an election at which they believe it will struggle to retain its existing 14 seats in the 35-seat Assembly.

Sources said MPs were briefed on Wednesday about seat losses expected at the poll.

Mr Winter and three disaffected crossbenchers who backed the motion, with the Greens, blamed Mr Rockliff for the crisis and called on him to resign to avoid an election. “The only person forcing Tasmania to an early election is Jeremy Rockliff,” Mr Winter said. “If he is granted an election, Labor is ready to go because we strongly believe Tasmania needs change. The deals he struck with the crossbench have collapsed after he announced plans to sell Tasmanian assets, stuffed the Spirits (Bass Strait ferries) and broke the budget. He has lost the support of Tasmanians.”

Any new premier would require new deals with the balance-of-power crossbenchers, raising uncertainty over the government’s agenda, including privatisations and the Hobart AFL stadium. Mr Rockliff, Premier since April 2022, visited Government House on Thursday night to advise Chief Justice Shanahan he had lost the confidence of the assembly. It was expected the Lieutenant Governor would allow him to remain acting premier for the purpose of passing a temporary supply bill, to ensure public services can function during any election campaign. That could occur tomorrow or next week.