State election: Tasmanians will head to the polls on March 23

It’s official: Tasmanians will head to the polls on March 23. It’s a decision made as parliament becomes ‘unworkable’. Latest.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has urged Tasmanians not to elect a “coalition of chaos” at the March 23 state election.

The Liberal leader visited Governor Barbara Baker at 2pm on Tuesday to request an early election after a protracted political stalemate with two independent MPs.

The ten-year-old Liberal government is seeking a record fourth consecutive term.

Mr Rockliff addressed reporters in a media conference at the Tasman Hotel in Hobart an hour later.

“Can I say, very clearly: This election is about who is best able to restore the stability and certainty Tasmania needs, so we can take action on the issues affecting you right now,” Mr Rockliff said.

“We do have a strong plan which is all about addressing these important issues, but the parliament has become unworkable.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff press conference at The Tasman Hobart after calling an election for March 23rd. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I am not going to allow myself and my government to be held to ransom for the next 12 months. It’s bad for Tasmania, and it’s bad for Tasmanians.

“So I have taken the decision to call an election so that Tasmanians can have their say.”

The Liberal’s third term has been dogged by resignations and defections and a series of crises in areas from health to child safety.

Mr Rockliff denied that by dissolving the parliament he was running away from intractable problems.

“I’m running forward,” he said. “I’ve always run forward. I’ve always been too keen to tackle the challenges and the big issues facing Tasmania and that’s why I want to continue to deliver on our long-term plan.”

The upcoming poll will elect a 35-seat House of Assembly for the first time since 1998, with widespread expectation that neither major party will achieve a majority and hence be able to form government without crossbench support.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff press conference at The Tasman Hobart after calling an election for March 23rd. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Premier said he was seeking majority government. He specifically ruled out a deal with the Greens — but left the door open to accepting support from others to gain a majority.

“I will not be doing a deal with the Greens. I will respect the outcome of the election and the will of the voters and of course have the maturity to govern sensibly on the best interests of all Tasmanians when it comes to everyone else,” he said.

“I’ve made my position very clear when it comes to the Greens, that when it comes to everyone else, some key principles will apply.

“I will not agree to anything that constrains me or my government. I will not be trading ministerial positions or policies and the 2030 Strong Plan is not negotiable.’

Mr Rockliff said he was proud of his government’s record in improving the state’s economy and employment but acknowledged there was more work to be done in a range of areas, particularly the state’s troubled health system.

He pledged to serve a full term if re-elected and said Labor did not offer a credible alternative.

“Labor’s been in opposition for a decade, but the truth is Labor and Ms White still haven’t learned the lessons of their disastrous deal with the Greens, and they are not ready to govern.

“Never forget – under the Labor-Green minority Government, Tasmania went into recession, 10,000 jobs were lost and unemployment neared eight per cent; the forest industry was shut down, the $1.5 billion superannuation fund was raided, hundreds of nurses and police were sacked, and they tried to close 20 schools.

“A majority Liberal Government led by me, with our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future; or a Labor-Green-Lambie-independent Coalition of Chaos, which would crash our economy, crash jobs, and crash our health system.”

Crunch time: Premier arrives at Government House

February 14, 2:25pm: Premier Jeremy Rockliff has visited Government House in Hobart to ask Governor Barbara Baker to dissolve parliament ahead of an election.

The Premier was all smiles as he arrived at Government House. He did not speak to waiting reporters.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff arrives at Government House on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.

He will hold a press conference later this afternoon.

The state election is expected on March 23, a year early.

Next steps: Governor to make call on Tasmanian election

February 14, 10:30am: Premier Jeremy Rockliff will visit Governor Barbara Baker this afternoon to request she dissolve parliament and send Tasmania to an early election.

Subject to the Governor’s agreement, Tasmanias 400,000 electors are expected to the polls on March 23 to elect 35 members of the House of Assembly.

Her Excellency Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Liberals currently hold 11 seats in at 25 seat house. Labor has eight, the Greens two and there are four independents.

Current opinion polling points to neither major party gaining a decisive majority, with a strong vote predicted for independent candidates.

It will be the second early election on the trot for Tasmanians. Former Premier Peter Gutwein went a year early in 2021.

The Liberals gained 13 seats at that election, and a bare majority, but were weakened by the defections of MPs John Tucker and Lara Alexander.

Should parliament be prorogued on Wednesday, its 1019-day term will be the shortest this century, around 300 days less than the average of the last four parliament.