Jacqui Lambie ‘stumped’ after Tasmanian Labor conceded state election before final results known
The kingmaker of Tasmania’s new hung parliament, Jacqui Lambie, is “stumped” after Labor conceded the election, saying, “It’s like they don’t even want to govern”. Election updates >>
Tasmania
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Tasmanians went to the polls on Saturday and the resuls have started to pour in, however there’s still a long wait until a new parliament is finalised. Here’s the latest election updates.
March 26, 1pm: Why Lambie is ‘stumped’ after Labor conceded state election
The kingmaker of Tasmania’s new parliament, Jacqui Lambie, is “stumped” after Labor conceded the election, saying “it’s like they don’t even want to govern”.
The Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) is set to win two seats and is in prime position to pick up a third in Lyons. The JLN newcomers would sit alongside up to five Greens on the crossbench, along with independents Kristie Johnston and David O’Byrne.
Senator Lambie took aim at Labor on Monday evening, criticising its decision to pull out of the race to form government, after neither major party could secure a majority.
“I’ve been thinking about this all day – and it’s got me stumped – why on earth would [Labor] concede so quickly?” she said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Why wouldn’t they wait for the final result – honouring their voters and their party workers! It’s like they don’t even want to govern!”
Labor has won 10 seats, while the Liberals are poised to pick up 15, despite suffering a bruising 12 per cent swing against them.
There was a path for the Rebecca White-led Labor to form government if it was willing to negotiate with the Greens but the party’s administrative committee decided on Sunday that it needed to chalk the election up as a loss instead.
The Liberals will likely only need to secure confidence and supply from three crossbench MPs in order to govern, which would potentially mean they could deal exclusively with the JLN.
On Monday, Ms White resigned as Labor leader.
- Rob Inglis
3.30pm: Silent treatment inflicted on the Greens
The Greens are getting the silent treatment from the major parties as the count continues in the 2024 state election.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said on Monday that Liberal leader Jeremy Rockliff appeared to be in the process of building his own “coalition of chaos” in order to secure a fourth term.
“It’s amusing that Jeremy Rockliff used that language, when that’s why he called an election: to try and fix his own coalition of actual chaos,” she said.
“He has shown that he is not good at working with people in the parliament and we just hope he’s learned his lesson and that he’ll come back into the parliament understanding that he’s rolled the dice and he lost.”
The Greens are tipped to hold up to five of the 35 seats in the House of Assembly when counting in the 2021 state election is complete.
Dr Woodruff says, unlike Jacqui Lambie whose fledgling party is on track to take up to three seats, she hasn’t heard from the leaders of either major party.
“It doesn’t make any difference from the Greens’ point of view,” she said.
“My door is always open.”
The Greens leader said she retained hope that Labor would fight to win government in a power-sharing parliament.
Labor and the Greens shared power between 2010 and 2014 in an agreement that saw Greens serve as cabinet ministers. Both Labor and the Liberals have ruled out such a deal in future.
“There’s a lot of alignment between what the Greens have been fighting for this election and what Labor said they were so concerned to fight for as well. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see a collaboration for real change in Tasmania in the next parliament?’
No Labor MPs fronted the media on Monday.
– David Killick
March 25, 1.35pm: By the numbers: the strange and curious results
- Jeremy Rockliff topped the poll for the Liberals — and was the most popular of all of the 167 candidates in the election with 18,885 votes counted so far, down from the 19,186 he received at the 2021 election. The count is continuing and the total will rise. Peter Gutwein topped the poll for the Liberals in 2021, garnering 32,482 in Bass — 48 per cent of the formal vote. Only Labor’s Doug Lowe has done better, with 51.2 per cent in 1979.
- Rebecca White was Labor’s biggest vote-winner with 13,624 in the count so far. She received 16,338 primary votes in the 2021 election.
- Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff was her party’s top candidate, with 8,965 votes and is on track to win a quota based on primary votes alone for the first time, keeping in mind the fact that with seven candidates rather than five, the quota is smaller.
- The Lambie Network has become the fourth most popular party at the election, with 6.7 per cent of the vote. At the 2021 poll, the fourth-largest bloc was the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
- The lowest number of primary votes in the count so far was recorded by ungrouped candidate John Michael Forster who received 55 votes in Clark. Fraser Miller received 58 votes in Clark, Jenny Branch-Allen rounded out the double-digits club with 69 votes in Clark.
- Former Labor leader David O’Byrne clearly has a strong local following. He has recorded 5941 votes so far in the count, eight per cent of the primary vote in Franklin. His result was higher than all of the Labor candidates except Dean Winter. Mr O’Byrne received 7538 primary votes at the 2021 election.
- Liberal MP Felix Ellis looks set to be elected in his own right at an election for the first time in Braddon. Mr Ellis has twice entered parliament on recounts.
- Serial independent candidate Craig Garland won more primary votes — 3500 — in Braddon than Liberal member and government minister Roger Jaensch.
- Breakaway Liberal Lara Alexander fell well short of a quota with 1447 primary votes so far, but nearly tripled her primary vote from the 2021 election. Fellow Liberal defector John Tucker’s primary vote more than halved, from 4619 to 2111 in Lyons.
- The Local Network’s results appear to have been disappointing, with a total of 924 votes in Franklin and Clark. Martine Delaney received 0.75 per cent of the vote in Franklin, for 497 primaries so far in the count, and four candidates attracted 0.73 per cent of the vote in Clark with 427 votes between them.
- The Animal Justice Party was the fourth-most popular party in Clark, outpolling the Shooters, Farmers and Fishers date. Candidate Casey Davis outpolled Lorraine Bennett and Adrian Pickin by 1007 votes to a combined 801.
- For those who have made it this far, there is an interesting contrast between the minor parties the Greens and the Jacqui Lambie Network, most evident in Lyons. The Greens ran lead candidates, and Tabatha Badger has received 3417 of the party’s 6671 primaries so far to put her well into contention. The JLN candidates are more evenly spread, with between 1595 and 1889 votes between them. It means they are at risk of being eliminated earlier in preference counts if their preferences leak to other parties. The effect is similar in Braddon, though not as strong in Bass. Those results may reflect the effect of Robson Rotation, where the order of candidates is changed on ballot papers to negate the effect of a donkey vote.
- The count continues, so the number of primary votes received by candidates can be expected to rise as any pre-poll, postal and provisional votes are added to the count.
– David Killick
2.05pm: Hare-Clark voting keeps Greens’ hopes high
As of Sunday, Dr Woodruff and Vica Bayley retained their seats in Franklin and Clark.
Newcomer Cecily Rosal was also likely to be elected in Bass, along with a potential win in Lyons – and Dr Woodruff said a seat in Braddon and a second seat in Clark could not yet be ruled out.
“Hare-Clark is a beautiful thing, no-one knows what is going to happen over the next couple of weeks,” she said.
“But it’s clear the mood for change that we have felt throughout this campaign is reflected in the results that we have seen so far.”
Dr Woodruff said the Greens’ success over the weekend had given the party confidence for the upcoming Legislative Council elections in May.
“There’s no doubt that (Former Greens leader) Cassy O’Connor is an amazing candidate and is the best person to have elected to Hobart,” she said.
“(People) are so strongly supportive of the Greens and also of Cassy O’Connor, because of who she is and what she’s already done for over a decade and a half for the people of Hobart.”
– Amber Wilson
1.37pm: ‘Very unlikely’: White concedes Labor won’t form government
Labor’s Rebecca White has conceded the party cannot form government after the result of the state election, but says a decision on her role as parliamentary leader is yet to be decided.
Speaking in Richmond on Sunday, Ms White said: “On the outcome of the result yesterday, it seems very unlikely the Labor Party can form government.
“I respect that outcome, I respect the will of the people,” she said.
THE LATEST ON THE DEVELOPING STORY CAN BE FOUND HERE.
March 24, 12.45pm: How the Liberals plan to form a government
The Liberal Party want to form the next Tasmanian government and their leader Jeremy Rockliff has shared how they plan to do it.
Mr Rockliff said in an effort to form government, he was already negotiating with the independents likely to be voted in, with Kristie Johnston and David O’Byrne in strong positions for Clark and Franklin respectively, and the Jacqui Lambie Network, who could secure two seats.
“The Tasmanian people have not voted to change the government,” Mr Rockliff said.
“Tasmanians clearly want a focus on things that matter with cost of living, housing and health.”
He said Labor Leader Rebecca White’s only chance of forming government would be to break a promise to not make a deal with the Greens to form a “coalition of chaos”.
The Liberal Party won’t be making a deal with the Greens or trade ministries to lock in support, Mr Rockliff confirmed.
– Molly Appleton
Greens Leader hails result
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff hailed the result in her address to the tally room.
“What an election – and what an exciting opportunity to fight for real change,” she said.
“The message we have relayed from this campaign is that we need change and change is possible.
“As we expected, things aren’t cut and dried at the moment, but they are looking good for the Greens.
Mr Rockliff hailed her party’s candidates for strong campaigns.
She said the party would push the incoming government to act on the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations and to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre, to legislate to protect Aboriginal heritage, to give the EPA real teeth and ban gay conversion therapy.
And she spoke strongly against the proposed Macquarie Point AFL stadium, saying it should be abandoned and the state team instead based in Launceston.
– David Killick
Rebecca White says results aren’t clear
Labor leader Rebecca White entered the tally room with a broad smile. She said Mr Rockliff’s decision to call an early election had backfired.
“There is a lot that’s unclear about tonight but it is clear that Tasmanians have voted to reject the Liberals,” she said.
“It’s going to be a long night and it will likely be a few weeks before we know the makeup of the new parliament.
“There are votes still to be counted, but what is clear the Liberal Party will not be getting a Liberal majority … Tasmanians have voted for change.”
“Humble people do not speak of a coalition of chaos when they don’t get their own way or claim victory when the results are unclear.”
– David Killick
Rockliff makes victory speech
Premier Jeremy Rockliff was greeted with applause when he addressed a packed tally room in Hobart shortly before 10pm, sending birthday greetings to his mother.
“And it looks like a fourth consecutive win for the Liberal Party as well,” he said.
“This has never happened before in the great state of Tasmania. Congratulations team.
“Let’s be clear the Liberals have clearly gained the most votes and the most seats in this campaign by a large margin.
“Tasmanians have delivered a clear message … Tasmanians have not voted for a change of government.”
Sue Hickey concedes
Sue Hickey has conceded it is unlikely she would return to parliament.
“I would like to congratulate Kristie Johnston who looks like being the only independent for Clark. Despite the tremendous support I have felt on the campaign it doesn’t seem to be reflected in my vote. My greatest wish is that we get change in the way parliament works. It has been too dysfunctional for too long,” she said.
– Blair Richards
Night “looking good” for deputy mayor
Hobart Deputy Mayor Helen Burnet is a good chance of winning a second seat in Clark for the Greens.
“It’s looking good but we can’t be sure until we see all the votes come in,” she said.
There was a jubilant atmosphere at the Greens election night party in North Hobart with the party enjoying an increase in support since 2021.
Ms Burnet said the party had run a strong grassroots campaign in Clark.
She said Greens policies resonated with people in Clark concerned about the cost of living, housing.
She said many people appreciated the Greens clear stance against the Macquarie Point stadium.
– Blair Richards
More from the tally room
Veteran City of Hobart alderman Marti Zucco is a big fan of Tasmania’s the live tally room, the last of its kind in Australia.
At the Grand Chancellor to see whether friend and Liberal MHA Simon Behrakis is re-elected to parliament, Mr Zucco said having the public rub shoulders with pollies on the tally room floor was great for democracy.
“We are a democratic society, and everyone should have the ability to partake in the election, vote in the election, and be part of every aspect of the election campaign.”
Mr Zucco said was proud of his previous efforts running as an independent candidate at state level, but was now focused on seeing how former council colleague Mr Behrakis fared.
“I worked with Simon at council, I know what he’s like, and the fact that he’s very passionate,” Mr Zucco said.
“People like him are the political future.
“Tonight I was originally predicting 16 or potentially 17 Liberals, but now it’s looking like 15 or 16.
“We might end up with the Liberal Party sitting down with the Lambie group, or potentially David O’Byrne, to form government.
“Because I can’t see anything else happening.”
– Duncan Abey
Martine Delaney’s “risque” campaign
Martine Delaney said she had to run a “risque” campaign In Franklin to gain any profile against the major party candidates.
Ms Delaney said her election poster was one of the most outrageous in Tasmanian political history, and that after an intense few weeks on the hustings that included two tense interactions with fellow Franklin Eric Abetz, she had arrived at the tally room relieved but exhausted.
Ms Delaney said that the electorate’s desire for a move away from the old parties soon became obvious during the five and half week campaign.
“This sounds corny, but the reality is that the majority of people want change,” she said.
“I live in Risdon Vale, which is rusted-on Labor, but I had people come up to me today. I got stopped by four individual people who said ‘good on you, we voted for you’.
“I really enjoyed the last few weeks, and I managed to upset Eric a couple of times which was the highlight of my campaign.”
Ms Delaney said that win, lose, or draw, she was proud that she had run for state parliament as a gender-diverse candidate was a victory in self.
“Sometimes you don’t have to win to make a difference,” Ms Delaney said.
– Duncan Abey
7pm: No deals for Kristie Johnston
Independent Clark MP Kristie Johnston said she would not do deals to help a party form minority government, but was committed to making the next parliament work if elected.
Mingling with supporters at New Town’s Maypole Hotel, which she part-owns, Ms Johnston was feeling upbeat and nervous as the count began.
Ms Johnston is considered likely to retain her seat.
“I think it’s great we have so many independents that put their hand up. I think it’s a recognition of the mood of the community.”
“No deals for me but I do want to make this parliament work. It’s in the best interests of Tasmanians.”
– Blair Richards
6:50pm: Franklin independent candidate’s hope for “forgotten electorate”
Independent candidate for Franklin Clare Glade-Wright was one of the first election hopefuls to arrive in the tally room at the Grand Chancellor in Hobart.
Ms Glade-Wright, the deputy mayor of Kingborough, said that during the campaign she had been surprised how polarised the community had been.
“The reason I decide to stand was because I wanted to see that polarisation be broken down. and to have a better way of looking at decisions,” she said.
Ms Glade-Wright said that as well as housing and cost of living, another issue exercising the minds of Franklin voters was the perception that it was a “forgotten” electorate.
“We were seeing a lot of announcements for the other electorates but Franklin just seems to get forgotten all the time,” she said.
“If I don’t get up tonight I will continue my role as deputy mayor which I absolutely love, and just being part of the Kingborough community.”
– Duncan Abey
6:25pm: Exit poll reveals statewide swing against Libs
An exit poll conducted by 7Tasmania News has revealed a big statewide swing against the Liberals.
The poll, conducted by Professor Richard Herr, showed there had been a swing against the Liberals of between 10 and 11 per cent with a swing to Labor of 2 to 3 per cent.
The Liberals’ vote, according to the figures, would see them with just two seats in Bass with the decline due to the absence of former Premier Peter Gutwein who reeled in a massive number of votes at the 2021 election.
Based on the exit poll figures, 7Tasmania News says the new 35-member House of Assembly would be made up of 14 Liberals, 12 Labor, 4 Greens, 3 Jacqui Lambie Network and 2 Independents.
The exclusive TV news poll showed gains to the Greens of 1.5 to 2 per cent, independents 2-3 per cent and Jacqui Lambie Network with 5.7 per cent.
Prof Herr said it showed potentially two Greens being elected in Clark where the Lambie Network did not run any candidates.
In a surprise result Labor may pick up seats in Lyons and Bass.
– Susan Bailey
4pm: A step to the left or a step the right?
If a democracy sausage isn’t your style, perhaps you were tempted instead by a democracy Frank-N-Furter as you cast your vote this year.
As Tasmanians lined up at City Hall on Saturday to decide their new government, the cheeky cast and crew of this year’s Uni Revue were on hand to provide some light relief – as well as take the mickey out of Tasmania’s political system.
In a bid to promote their upcoming show while dressed in fishnet stockings, sequins and feather boas, the crew performed flash mob performances of Time Warp as featured in classic 1970s musical, The Rock Horror Show.
The Uni Revue’s annual satirical show, staged by the Old Nick Company, will be held between May 10 and June 1 in Hobart and Launceston – albeit not after some amount of controversy.
Organisers explained they censored the show’s 2024 name, The Rockl--- Horror (S#*t) Show, after Juice Media was earlier this week forced to remove the Premier’s face from its latest satirical Honest Government Ad video.
The Electoral Commission said the Juice Media video was likely an advertisement and therefore breached legislation by depicting the Premier without his consent – warning of fines or prison time.
“We discovered yesterday that we weren’t allowed to use the name or face of Jeremy Rockliff, who is our title character,” Uni Revue production manager Melanie Ransley said.
“We’ve done a little bit of marketing development overnight, and managed to censor out any of the stuff we weren’t allowed to use.”
–Amber Wilson
3pm: Election wash-up: Voters come clean on election day
It was getting wet on Hobart’s Eastern Shore, as voters got their car washed while they voted at Clarence High School.
Volunteer teachers, parents and students made a splash as they raised money for the schools band program.
“It’s been insane. It’s been mostly like six to eight cars at all times. Everyone has been super lovely and supportive with the wait times just trying to get through them all in the time that they’re voting,” music teacher Nicole Taylor said.
“A lot of them actually worked out perfectly because of the lines to vote, we were able to wash their car in the time that they voted.
Raising well over $800 on election day, the money will go towards band students between Grade 7 to 10, for trips and interactive activities.
“People were donating extra money, paying double or triple for their car to be washed just to support our program, which is awesome,” Ms Taylor said.
“It’s amazing to have so much community support.”
–Tia Ewen
2:30pm ‘I’m proud of what I’ve achieved’: Lara Alexander resolute as she votes
As Tasmania heads to the polls, independent Lara Alexander remains steadfast in her political actions saying she “wouldn’t change a thing”.
“‘I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” she said.
“I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know I have stuck by my principles.
“And whatever happens at the end of the day, I am proud that maybe I generated some conversation and people are more open to discuss politics and expect more transparency from their government.”
Not writing the election off just yet, Mrs Alexander said she is hopeful she will be re-elected and looks forward to what the future will bring.
“Whatever will be, will be,” she said.
“I feel a little relieved we are at the end of the election, and I am very humbled to have met and talked with people, and I have been amazed at the support I have received.
“At the end of the day I am very grateful for everything.”
– Stephanie Dalton
2:05pm: O’Byrne ‘hopeful but nervous’
As he enjoyed a democracy sausage, former Labor MP and now independent David O’Byrne admitted he was “hopeful but nervous” about how he will fare when votes are counted.
“I’m tired but satisfied that I’ve worked hard and run a good campaign that has been focused on how to make the place better and not what divides us,” he said at Risdon Vale Primary School where he is a regular at the school’s breakfast club.
“I’m hopeful but nervous. I’ve had a lot of positivity and support but with Hare-Clark you never really know how it is going to pan out.
“There was a bit of confusion about my status and that took a bit of explaining.”
The former Labor leader sought Labor preselection but was rejected and decided to run as an independent for Franklin, a seat he first won in 2010 but later lost in 2014 before regaining it in 2018.
Mr O’Byrne said it was both “harder and easier” running as an independent.
“It is easier because you make decisions on what issues you want to focus on and how you communicate,” he said.
“But it is harder on your own when hundreds of community groups ask about all the issues and finding the time to respond.
“It is important people know where you stand.
“It is liberating to be above the noise and infighting that sometimes happens with Hare-Clark.”
Financially, Mr O’Byrne said he had “run his own race” with small donations ranging from $5 to $100 with “support from lots of people”.
The sausage sizzle at Risdon Vale Primary was raising money for the grade six leavers’ dinner.
Parent Tianna Sproule said it had been a busy day with a steady stream of people wanting a $2.50 sausage.
She’s optimistic about $800 will be raised.
– Sue Bailey
1:45pm: Woodruff ready for season of change
The sun shining was a great omen for change and giving the Greens the balance of power after the election, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff, said as she cast her vote at Warrane Primary School.
Dr Woodruff would not be drawn on where the party will pick up seats from the current two they hold in the smaller parliament but she’s optimistic they will increase their numbers.
“This opportunity for generational change has been 25 years in the making,” she said.
“I’m very optimistic about the change that’s going to happen at this election and we’ve been campaigning hard for seats across the state.
“The Greens are hoping people put real value in their vote by putting the Greens in the balance of power so we can go into the next parliament (and) fight hard for forests, for renters, for health and for housing.
“We’ve been the only party from the beginning to the end who talked about the environment.”
Dr Woodruff said voters wanted a new way of doing politics.
“People want change,” she said.
“They want change in the way people do politics, as well as things that happen in government
“Ten years of the Liberals in government has been a mess and people can see that there is a different way of doing parliament and they want people who will fight for them.
“This campaign has been about being positive, staying out of the gutter politics, talking about the issues.”
Dr Woodruff said Tasmanians wanted parliamentarians who were prepared to “sit down and collaborate”.
“Tasmanians are roundly rejecting the sort of negative politics that we’ve seen from the Liberal and Labor politicians at federal and state level for decades now.
“It’s been getting worse, and people are sick of it.”
The Hare-Clark voting system was the best in the world, she said, but it would take some time before the full results were known.
– Sue Bailey
1:40pm: Accessibility concerns at polling booth
Michael and Anne Harris said they were concerned about how accessible Sacred Heart College’s polling booth was.
The married couple had to walk further than they usually would in previous election years.
“It doesn’t seem really disabled or able-bodied friendly, especially when you get to a certain age, you eventually have trouble getting to certain places,” Mrs Harris said.
When it comes to political issues, their New Town household is divisive, with Mr Harris, 77, leaning towards one of the major parties and Mrs Harris, 76, leaning towards Independents.
“I’m an ex nurse so health always comes higher on the agenda,” she said.
“I’ve got a lot of personal views that my husband knows I have, but we just cancel each other out.
“I remember when I first started to vote, my dad was very much a right leaning person, I read about some European countries run by non monopolies and instead by a confederate of people, and I always said to my father I think that’s brilliant and he would throw his hands up in horror.”
-Tia Ewen
1pm: Cost of living key issues impacting voters
Casting his vote at Sacred Heart College this morning, Sam Cooper said his was most concern with cost of living this election.
“I’m pretty lucky and fortunate, so I’m just hoping that that can be the case for other people as well,” he said.
“You’ve got situations where your good friends are preparing for 30 year mortgages and these are people with full time jobs and they can’t afford their own home – even though they’re putting 40 hours a week – past Bridgewater.
“That’s a pretty good sign that something’s not right.”
The 33-year-old who owns his own home in New Town said he voted for the Greens.
“Increasing native logging and stuff just seems like a bizarre decisions at a bizarre time. There’s the whole 10 years what have we accomplished? It’s good to make pledges now but you’ve had the seat of power and done nothing with it,” he said.
“I hope that we are voting on behalf of people who are younger than us.
“The people who plant a tree that aren’t going to see the shade of it, that’s the way we move forward and I hope people keep that in mind.”
– Tia Ewen
12:05pm: more than 500 democracy snags sizzling
Sacred Heart College parents are fundraising money to go towards the grade 6 trip to Canberra later this year.
With more than 500 democracy sausages sizzling on barbecues at the New Town school, parent Leigh Lazarus was excited to help out.
“We were raising money so that we’re providing spending money for the kids so that all the children’s had exactly the same amount of spending money,” she said.
“We have a very diverse cohort – on the back of Harmony Day we had so many children wearing clothes from countries from which they have come, so it’s a real indication of the cross section of students we have.”
With the state election, the parents thought it was a golden opportunity to fundraiser for the Year 6 Canberra camp in Term 4 this year.
Ms Lazarus’ son Reuben said he was very excited to go on a camp with his friends.
“I’m counting down the days till I get to go on a plane with my friends,” the 11-year-old said.
“We’re going to visit both the old and new Parliament House, Questacon, the Mint where they print the money, Institute of Sport and the War Memorial.
“But I’m most excited for Questacon, the photos look really fun.”
-Tia Ewen
12pm: Tucker feels change in the air
Lyons independent candidate John Tucker believes there’s a “mood for change” in the electorate and is feeling optimistic about his re-election prospects.
Mr Tucker was elected as a Liberal MP on a recount in 2019 following the resignation of Rene Hidding and was later elected in his own right in 2021.
However, together with Bass MP Lara Alexander, he sensationally quit the Liberal Party in May last year, opting instead to sit on the crossbench as an independent. The pair cited concerns about a lack of transparency around the proposed Macquarie Point stadium and the Marinus Link interconnector project.
Mr Tucker said he was pleased with how his campaign had gone and felt “pretty positive” about his chances of holding on to his seat.
“I do believe there’s a mood for change in the electorate,” he said.
The former Break O’Day councillor said he was prepared to negotiate with both major parties should a hung parliament situation arise.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time,” he said. “I know how to negotiate and I’m more than happy to do that, should it come to it.”
– Rob Inglis
11:55am: Premier votes with confidence of securing majority
Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he is still working hard to achieve a majority government and believes he is a “whisker away” from doing that.
On Saturday morning, Mr Rockliff cast his vote alongside his mother, Gerry Rockliff, at Sassafras Primary School.
He said he believed he and the Liberals had run a “really solid campaign”.
“I’m particularly proud of our candidates, a great bunch of people from all walks of life,” Mr Rockliff said.
“As I’ve said before, it takes a lot of courage for people to put their hand up these days. I don’t just speak of my own team; I speak of candidates from all political persuasions.
“It’s not an easy gig, and for all the criticisms that people get in public life, we should be thankful that we have people who are prepared to have the courage to stand and represent local people, constituents and communities, and that’s to be commended.”
Mr Rockliff said he was hopeful of achieving a Liberal majority government.
“I’m still working hard to achieve that majority.
“As I’ve seen a number of times, we’re within a whisker of majority government, and I know our candidates will be working around their electorates respectfully today on polling day as well and see if we can achieve that majority.”
-Simon McGuire
11:50am: Hickey on peaceful mission
Independent candidate Sue Hickey is hoping to be a peacemaker if she gets elected into parliament.
It comes as Ms Hickey cast her vote at her old stomping ground Sacred Heart College.
“Never has any election been more critical than this one, where we do need stability, we need common sense, we need decency, and integrity,” she said.
“I’m leaning more towards Labor’s ideals of helping in housing, health, cost of living, looking at the cost of electricity, dealing with transport – but they’re going to need a lot of support.”
“What I find really unacceptable is that the government effectively hasn’t been working since December and we’re not going to be sitting until the middle of May and think all those things that should have been done to help Tasmanians in that time.”
Ms Hickey said there are good contenders for the seat of Clark and is trying to stay calm ahead of the count.
“When you’ve been so close as I was last time and you find the Hare-Clark system has some vagaries that I’ve never understood. I’m prepared that it could be just as difficult this time, and particularly as we have so many independents, no one knows where the preference is going to go,” she said.
-Tia Ewen
11:30am: Libs accuse opposition of breaching electoral act
The Liberal Party is crying foul over Labor signs they say breach the electoral act.
They have photos of signs on a polling booth at New Town which they say break the rules.
“They are absolutely not appropriate,” they said on social media.
“We have asked the TEC to prosecute Labor for breaching the Electoral Act.
“Desperate Labor will do anything to win, including breaking the law or doing deals with the Greens.”
-Sue Bailey
11am: Abetz coy over political return
Liberal veteran Eric Abetz is being tight lipped about his chances of returning to politics.
A Senator for 28 years he’s running for a seat in Franklin.
Mr Abetz cast his vote at Blackmans Bay Primary School at 9 o’clock and didn’t have to join a queue of voters.
He wouldn’t be drawn on his chances of winning a seat
“I don’t speculate or comment about myself,” Mr Abetz said.
Political observers are confident he will be successful.
He is up against sitting members minister Nic Street and Dean Young.
Former minister Jacquie Petrusma, who resigned mid term after the 2021 election, is also attempting to regain her seat.
She topped the poll in 2021.
-Sue Bailey
10;50am: Majority government on the minds of Bass voters
At Riverside High School in the north of the state, voters have one pressing issue on their minds: voting in a majority government.
As Bass voter and grandfather Frank Jory heads to the polls, he said he’d like to see one party win outright.
“That way, we can get some decisions made and move our state forward,” he said.
“I think a lot of Tasmanians are concerned about a minority government, where they argue and complain rather than make some progress.”
Riverside mother Felicity Hoy said she too was concerned about a minority government.
“I think a majority government is ideal, and I feel when a minority government is sworn in, they are a bit hamstrung with what they can achieve,” she said.
Health issues also remain a top concern for most voters ahead of the election, with occupational therapist Josh Hoy apprehensive about the lack of support for patients.
“I’d like to see better communication between hospitals and patients, because I hear when many are discharged they don’t really know what’s going on or what happens next,” he said.
“I think hospitals and the health system, in general, are doing a great job and the best they can under the circumstances, but prioritising healthcare is important.”
– Stephanie Dalton
10:45am: Party alleges sign theft at polling booths
Labor has made a complaint to police after the apparent theft of signs from polling booths.
A Labor volunteer said the signs were erected late last night in accordance with electoral rules.
However, several had been removed on Saturday morning, she said.
“We’ve made a complaint to police,” she said.
10:40am: Hometown support for Labor leader
“Rebecca you’ll win” Geoff Fletcher-Jones shouted as Labor leader Rebecca White made a last ditch plea to voters for support.
Ms White cast her vote at the Sorell Memorial Hall and praised all her candidates for being “disciplined” and working well as a team.
She said she sensed a mood for change from the community and despite opinion polls she remained confident.
“I feel really proud of the campaign Labor has run this election,” Ms White said.
“We’ve done a lot of work over the last few years and we really set the agenda.
“It’s the third election in six years and the Liberals were caught on the hop a bit.
“We’ve known there’s a lot of work to do for us to win majority but I’m hopeful because people are still making up their minds as they cast their vote.”
Ms White remains confident of a Labor win in the new 35-seat parliament.
“I’m not thinking beyond tonight regarding my position,” she said.
“I hope to be elected Premier tonight.
“If I’m elected as member for Lyons I’ll serve my term to represent this community.”
Ms White praised the “outstanding efforts” of all Labor candidates.
“Not a single one for them has put a foot wrong, they’ve worked incredibly hard and well together as a team,” she said.
Ms White said it could take days before a result was known.
She said she was no stranger to waiting for an election result.
“When I ran in 2010 I was the fifth elected and it was an incredibly nerve-racking time,” Ms White said.
-Sue Bailey
10am: Sweet treat while casting votes
Casting a ballot was rewarded with a sweet treat for mum Prudence Foxe who bought democracy sweets for herself, her husband and their two kids Maxell, 5, and Isobel, 1.
“They are gorgeous. There’s a huge range, they all look very delicious. The hardest thing is to keep just one or two,” the Sandy Bay mum said.
Mount Nelson Primary School is hosting a cake sale with an array of delights named after politicians.
From Sue Hickey Sticky Toffee cake to Willie Wonka Chocolate fudge, Helen Burn’t Basque cheesecake to Crispy Kristie crackles, the funds raised will help subsidies the cost of the Grade 6 camp to Canberra.
Parent Ruth Wilson, who has been involved with the cake sale, said it was the first time the Grade 6 class would be going on a camp since Covid.
“It’s really exciting for the kids. The idea is that going to go to Parliament House, they’re doing Questacon and the War Memorial,” she said.
“It links in the grade six curriculum about democracy so it’s a really good way to get kids interested in and involved.”
Mount Nelson neighbours and friends Tessa Beattie and Miranda Johnson are tired of the two party system and voted for independents this election.
“My main concern is what everyone has been concerned about, which is the current cost of living crisis, housing crisis and health crisis in Tasmania. They affect pretty much everyone that I know or care about,” Ms Beattie said.
Ms Johnson added: “Why are we spending all this money on a stadium when we have those issues that need addressing.”
When casting the ballot, both of them said they put the Greens and Independents first, the two major parties last.
“I think they should be prioritising different things to what they are choosing to prioritise,” Ms Johnson said.
“I put primarily Greens and Independents. I really want to see a change.”
-Tia Ewen
9:20am: ‘Seriously, Tasmanians, wake up’: Lambie’s plea
Senator Jacqui Lambie has made a last-ditch plea to Tasmanians to vote for her candidates if they want to see change in the state.
The Senator was in Devonport alongside Jacqui Lambie Network Braddon candidates on Saturday morning.
“I’ve made the pitch over and over this week. If you want to change in Tasmania, then vote for the Jacqui Lambie Network,” Senator Lambie said.
“We’ve had 10 years of the Liberal Government, we’ve only seen Tasmania get worse. Seriously, Tasmanians, wake up.
“If they haven’t been able to stuff in 10 years, how can they possibly do stuff in another four.”
Senator Lambie said she was confident her party would gain seats in the House of Assembly.
“It’s up to Tasmanians now; that’s what it’s coming down to.”
-Simon McGuire
Historically, here’s how the primary vote has gone since 1998.
Everything you need to know about each electorate >>>
Bass
Voters say: Cost of living the focus for Tasmania’s most remote electorate
Braddon
Voters say: What mothers want in the Bass electorate
Clarke
Voters say: It’s on for young and old in Clark
Franklin
Voters say: Traffic congestion and cost of living bite in Franklin
Lyons
Voters say: ‘Too confusing’: Parties’ policy plethora panned
State election polling booths
Search the full list of every Tasmanian state election polling booth.
Originally published as Jacqui Lambie ‘stumped’ after Tasmanian Labor conceded state election before final results known
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