UPDATE: Jeremy Rockliff has been reappointed as Premier of Tasmania, just 18 days after a snap election resulted in a hung parliament. Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker confirmed Rockliff’s leadership on Wednesday, following a tumultuous period that saw voters return to the polls after a vote of no confidence in his previous term.
The recent election revealed a divided legislature, with the Liberal Party securing 14 seats, the Labor Party gaining 10 seats, and a crossbench of 11 MPs, including five from the Greens. None of the major parties achieved a majority, as 18 seats are required to govern effectively.
On Wednesday, Rockliff met with Governor Baker to formalize his reappointment, expressing confidence in his ability to lead amidst the political landscape. “I expect to command confidence and supply from the parliament,” he stated. Governor Baker emphasized the constitutional basis for his reappointment, noting that it allows an incumbent to test their support in the House of Assembly.
“We are in a hung parliament, and the convention of incumbency applies,” she said. “It is crucial for confidence to be determined within the parliament.” Rockliff is set to address the assembly when it is recalled on August 19, 2025.
Despite the challenges, Rockliff indicated he is prepared to govern without formal confidence agreements, stating, “The political games need to stop. We have 14 seats, by far the most seats, and while I would welcome individual members signing confidence and supply, we don’t need that to form a minority government.”
The snap election was called after a dramatic no-confidence motion in June, forcing Tasmanians to vote for the second time in just over a year. Labor leader Dean Winter criticized Rockliff’s leadership, pointing to issues like the flawed rollout of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels and concerns over the state budget and the controversial Macquarie Point Stadium project.
In response, Rockliff expressed optimism about governing effectively in minority, citing constructive engagement with crossbench members. “I believe that we can govern very sensibly in minority,” he affirmed. “We’ve had positive discussions to strengthen how Parliament will work into the future.”
As Tasmania’s political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the upcoming parliamentary session and how Rockliff navigates the complexities of a hung parliament. More updates to follow.
