Three strikes and out: Rebecca White no longer Tasmania Labor leader after election fail

Labor are on the hunt for a new leader after Rebecca White failed to steer the party to government for a third time. The latest.

Rebecca White announces her resignation as Tasmanian Labor leader at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

Rebecca White has quit the Labor leadership after leading the party to its third consecutive straight election defeat on Saturday.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, Ms White confirmed her decision to leave the position.

“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.

“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.”

Rebecca White announces her resignation as Tasmanian Labor leader at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ms White said she is proud of the election campaign she led to deliver a change of government.

“Unfortunately we fell short and as leader I take responsibility,” she said.

She said she intended to remain in the parliament and to play whatever role in the opposition that the new leader requested.

Ms White also pledged to offer Labor’s fresh leadership team the benefit of her wisdom and experience gained during seven years in the top job.

The now former leader paid tribute to her staff, and also to family who she said was very much looking forward to her increased presence at home.

“Mia was giving me a hard time last week that I wasn’t around very much, and demanded that this week I be home all the time and just dedicate myself to her,” Ms White said.

“So my seven year old’s reaction has been very positive, she’s very happy, and I think my two year old probably feels the same way.

“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.

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

Rebecca White announces her resignation as Tasmanian Labor leader at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

The member for Lyons was elected to the Labor leadership unopposed in 2017, following the resignation of veteran MP and former deputy premier, Bryan Green.

Ms White’s first test at an election came in 2018, when Labor attracted a 5 per cent swing and gained three seats despite losing to the Will Hodgman-led Liberals.

Her next battle was against Peter Gutwein in 2021, after the then-Premier called a statewide poll a year early, in which Labor could only manage nine seats in the 25-seat parliament.

Following this defeat, Ms White had stepped aside as leader but was reappointed shortly afterwards following former Labor member David O’Byrne stepping down two weeks into his leadership being accused of misconduct. A report later cleared Mr O’Byrne of sexual harassment, however he ran as an independent in Saturday’s election.

In the third election under Ms White’s leadership, Labor is expected to win 10 seats in the expanded 35-seat lower house chamber, well short of the 18 seats required for majority.

Originally published as Three strikes and out: Rebecca White no longer Tasmania Labor leader after election fail