Tasmania state election: Jeremy Rockliff vs Dean Winter in Sky News / Mercury leaders’ debate

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Opposition Leader Dean Winter will battle it out for the state’s top job in a leaders’ debate, just days out from the snap state election. DETAILS >>

Jeremy Rockliff and Dean Winter will go head to head in the Sky News / Mercury Leaders' Debate on July 16.

The Sky News / Mercury Leaders’ Debate will see Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Opposition Leader Dean Winter battle it out for the state’s top job, just days out from the snap state election and only 16 months after the last election.

It’s been a tumultuous time for the state after Labor leader Dean Winter successfully moved a no-confidence motion in the Liberal Premier.

The early election has intensified tensions with the state’s political landscape remaining dynamic and uncertain.

The upcoming election marks the fourth in seven years for Tasmania.

In a dramatic period for Tasmanian politics, both leaders will participate in the Sky News / Mercury Leaders’ Debate, in a last-ditch effort to win over voters ahead of polling day.

The debate will be moderated by Sky News Australia’s chief news anchor Kieran Gilbert and will be broadcast live from Hobart on Wednesday, July 16 at 12.30pm AEST.

“This is not an election that Tasmanians would have expected, but it comes at a crucial time for the state,” Kieran Gilbert said.

Kieran Gilbert, Chief News Anchor, Sky News

“This is a pivotal moment for both leaders just days out from polling day.

“They’ll not only be going head-to-head, but they’ll also have to respond to voters’ questions too, which is always a key focus of our Sky News debates.

“Sky News is once again delighted to be the host of the major election debates across the nation.”

Mercury editor Craig Herbert reflected on a tumultuous few weeks in Tasmanian politics.

“It’s the election nobody wanted, yet here we are, in the middle of a Tasmanian campaign so soon after the polls returned a Liberal minority government to power in March last year,” he said.

“This was brought on by Labor leader Dean Winter’s call for a vote of no confidence in Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s handling of the state’s finances.

“But instead of stepping down as leader, Mr Rockliff met with Governor Barbara Baker to seek an early election — one that will be focused on fiscal management but could also decide the fate of the Tasmania Devils AFL Football Club as the Greens and Nationals commit to blocking the proposed Macquarie Point stadium that is a conditional element of the Devils’ licence.”

The Sky News / Mercury Leaders’ Debate will be live streamed to subscribers at SkyNews.com.au and themercury.com.au.