Liberals dominate in the North while the left clung on in the South for the 2019 Tasmanian election

Any doubts about the state’s regional differences were dispelled by last night’s election results. The notoriously fickle seats of Braddon and Bass have played a key role in helping the Coalition Government cling to power.

TASMANIA is a state divided: blue in the North and North-West, and red in the South.

Any doubts about the state’s regional differences were dispelled by last night’s election results.

The notoriously fickle seats of Braddon and Bass have played a key role in helping the Coalition Government cling to power.

It was a repeat of a pattern established in last year’s state election, and the recent Legislative Council polls.

The Liberals are now dominant in Bass and Braddon.

In the South, candidates from the left end of the spectrum hung on: Labor’s Julie Collins in Franklin, independent Andrew Wilkie in Clark and Brian Mitchell poised to take Lyons.

Independent member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie celebrates his win with partner Dr Clare Ballingall at the Tasmanian Inn in Hobart. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Federal Labor member for Franklin Julie Collins votes in the 2019 federal election. Picture: INSTAGRAM

During this campaign, the focus of both federal leaders was firmly in the North and North-West.

Hobart received a solitary visit from Labor leader Bill Shorten. Scott Morrison visited the state 10 times — and never ventured south of Launceston.

Labor’s promises of money for AFL and for Mona became the focus of a ferocious Liberal counter-attack which played well with northern voters. “We are for the North and Labor is focused on Hobart,” Liberal Party chief Sam McQuestin said.

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WILKIE WINS BATTLE FOR HOBART ON SOCIAL JUSTICE

LABOR UPSET IN BRADDON WITH PEARCE VICTORY

LABOR POISED TO TAKE LYONS

Voters in Bass and Braddon have done well by frequently changing their allegiances. The two seats receive the lion’s share of the electoral attention — and the bulk of the spending commitments. No party will ever take them for granted like the safe seats in the South.

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