Voters in the Upper House seats of Elwick, Hobart and Prosser go to the polls on Saturday

Cassy O’Connor will soon find out if her Upper House gamble has paid off. Meanwhile, the retiring Hobart MLC backs independence.

Charlie Burton will run as an Independent candidate in the legislative council seat of Hobart in the upcoming election with the backing of former partner Andrew Wilkie. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The voters of Hobart have shown plenty of support for both independents and Greens in recent elections, with Saturday’s Legislative Council election likely to be a battle between the two.

Greens candidate Cassy O’Connor has been encouraged by the Greens performance at the state election, where the party won two seats in Clark.

The former Greens leader spent 15 years in the House of Assembly and quit to contest the Upper House.

“There is a good Green vibe out there. Whether or not that will be enough to get us to the 50 per cent plus one that we need to win our first ever single member election in Tasmania, that is in the lap of the voters,” she said.

“I know I took a gamble when I resigned from the Lower House and made a pitch to Hobart but we have got a Legislative Council right now that is dominated by the major parties and we think it’s worth a go.”

“When you vote Green you know exactly what you are going to get, because of our track record, our values and our polices.”

Rob Valentine, along with Kerry Finch and Ruth Forrest gave a press conference on parliament lawns. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Hobart is up for grabs following the retirement of Independent MLC Rob Valentine, who held the seat for 12 years.

Mr Valentine hopes Hobart will remain independent, arguing more party members will diminish the Legislative Council’s role as a house of review.

“We really don’t want to see the Legislative Council become another House of Assembly,” he said.

“You can’t mark your own homework if you’re involved in putting together legislation in the Lower House.”

There are five independents running in Hobart, Charlie Burton, Sam Campbell, Michael Haynes, John Kelly and Stefan Vogel.

Labor’s candidate is John Kamara, who recently ran for Labor in the state election.

Charlie Burton is expected to poll well and has the endorsement of popular Federal Clark MP Andrew Wilkie.

Hobart Alderman John Kelly, who narrowly missed out on becoming lord mayor at the 2022 local government elections, is also tipped to perform well.

Mr Kelly was this week endorsed by Clark Liberal MP and government Minister Madeleine Ogilvie.

Clark Liberal MP and government minister Madeleine Ogilvie endorses Independent Legislative Council candidate for Hobart John Kelly. Picture: Facebook

People can cast their vote at any one of the 49 polling places that will open from 8am to 6pm on Saturday May 4.

A full list of polling places and information on how to vote with be printed in Saturday’s Mercury and on themercury.com.au

Counting will begin soon after the polls close on Saturday, however results are not likely to be confirmed until later next week.

If one strong leader emerges in a seat a result could be predicted earlier.