Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker has postponed her decision on an early election until the end of the week, weighing the options after Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s urgent request.
The announcement came swiftly after Rockliff met with Baker at Government House on the evening of June 10, formally requesting an early election.
This urgent visit came just five days after the premier lost a critical no-confidence vote, proposed by Dean Winter, the state’s Labor Party leader, plunging the state into political uncertainty.
“Following their conversation, Her Excellency is now taking the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options,” Government House Official Secretary David Hughes said.He added that the premier and governor would meet again by the end of the week, with further statements to follow.
Rockliff also released a statement, saying, “I respect the need for Her Excellency to take the appropriate time to consider important matters of state. I remain committed to serving the people of Tasmania.”
The no-confidence vote, initiated by Labor and supported by the Greens and three independents, cited financial mismanagement and the delayed, over-budget Bass Strait ferries as key reasons for their action.
What Are the Alternatives?
The governor is not obligated to dissolve parliament and has several options to avert an early election.Firstly, she could ask the Liberal Party to nominate a new leader.
Names circulating as potential replacements include former federal Senator Eric Abetz, Deputy Premier Guy Barnett, and ex-Deputy Michael Ferguson.
Despite internal calls for a leadership change, the party room has so far publicly backed Rockliff, who has shown no indication of resigning following the no-confidence motion.
Secondly, the opposition Labor Party, holding 10 seats, could attempt to form a minority government.
This would likely involve collaboration with the Greens, who have five seats, or the independents on the crossbench.
The Liberals, with 14 seats in the 35-member lower house, have governed in minority since March 2024.
However, Tasmanian Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff expressed her disappointment after the Labor leader categorically ruled out the option of forming a minority government with the Greens or independents.
The Greens have signalled they’re ready to join hands.
“Dean Winter hasn’t picked up the phone,” Woodruff told ABC radio.
Political Battle Heats Up
As the state braces for a potential election, political tensions have escalated.Premier Rockliff has accused Winter of orchestrating a personal campaign to destabilise the government, citing alleged messages from Winter’s inner circle.
According to Rockliff, Winter’s office confirmed a deal with the Greens aimed solely at ousting him.
He released text messages, including one that read: “I think this exercise proves exactly why turfing Rockliff is such a good move for us.”
Another message added, “He’s so popular with punters.”
Reacting to this, Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said this is yet another desperate attempt from the Liberals to distract from Rockliff’s undeniable failures.
Speaker Bows Out, Stadium Debate Rages
Veteran Labor MP and Speaker Michelle O'Byrne has announced she will not recontest her seat, criticising the current dysfunction within parliament.“If minority government is the way of the future, then it requires us all to behave differently,” she told parliament.
“We have to have the maturity to not do things just because we can. The events of the last week have proven that.”
With election speculation mounting, the Liberals have begun shaping their campaign.
They have scrapped plans to explore public asset sales and announced former federal MP Bridget Archer as a candidate in the Bass electorate.
Liberal MP Felix Ellis affirmed, “The party is united behind Mr. Rockliff.”
The contentious $945 million AFL stadium at Macquarie Point, a condition for Tasmania’s AFL team entry in 2028, is expected to be a central campaign issue.
While both major parties support the project, the Greens and some independents remain opposed.
