The Tasmanian Liberal and Labor leaders have reached out to the crossbench to discuss working together in the new parliament, following an election that returned largely the same result as the last.
The Liberals are predicted to win at least 14 seats, Labor a maximum of 10. To reach a majority the parties would have needed to win 18 seats.
Both are now hoping to form government with the support of members of the crossbench.
At eight seats short, that is a pretty big task for Labor, but their advantage is that the crossbench will lean heavily progressive.
Worst result ever, yet Labor still in with a chance
Addressing the media on Sunday morning, Labor Leader Dean Winter said he would give Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff the first opportunity to demonstrate he had the support of the crossbench.
“We need to see, wait and get the final results, but over the course of the next few days, we’ll be speaking to crossbenchers and making sure they understand where Labor stands,” Mr Winter said.
“But what I … do want to reiterate is that Tasmanian Labor will not do deals with the Greens. I repeated that hundreds of times during the election campaign and I will not change.”
Mr Winter said Labor was not going to go back on its principles, but he would collaborate with crossbenchers and treat them with respect.
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“Tasmanian Labor believes in jobs — safe, secure, well paid jobs — and we support traditional industries that have been supporting Tasmanian regional communities,” he said.
“I’ve already been speaking to the business community this morning to reassure them that Tasmanian Labor won’t be changing from our support for those things, but we will seek to collaborate better with the crossbench where we can find common interests.
“Tasmanians want to see their parliamentarians behaving maturely like adults and working together towards a Tasmania that’s better.”
Kristie Johnston, pictured with her father David Knox,will return to the crossbench after being re-elected. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
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Mr Winter said he had spoken to a number of crossbenchers, but had not reached out to Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. The Greens are expected to hold five seats in the new parliament.
At best there will be six other members of the crossbench who Mr Winter could work with.
When pushed on how he would govern without securing support from the Greens, Mr Winter continued to repeat that he would not do a deal with them, however when asked if he would accept their support with nothing conceded he was less clear.
“The Greens make their own choices,” he said.
“They’ve made their choice to vote no-confidence in Jeremy Rockcliff and that’s a matter for them.”
While Dean Winter says he’s spoken to a number of crossbenchers, Rosalie Woodruff is not one of them. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Resolve to collaborate ‘enhanced’: Rockliff
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has also been making his own calls to the crossbench.
Another bizarre election night result in Tasmania
“I’ve reached out to potential crossbench members today, including conversations and my view is that the crossbench in the cold, hard light of day will recognise the party being the Liberal Party with the most number of seats are able to form a cabinet,” he said on Sunday.
“They recognise that over the course of the last 16 months since that March 2024 election that I have reached across the chamber, I have listened.
“Yes, I’ve learnt a lot as well, of course, and my resolve to working collaboratively with crossbenchers has only been enhanced and strengthened by my experience over the course of the last 12 months.”
Jeremy Rockliff, with incoming state Liberal Bass MP Bridget Archer, responds to Saturday’s election result. (ABC News: Jonny McNee)
Mr Rockliff said while he wanted to work with the crossbench, he would not be compromising any key commitments or principles.
“Not every single member of parliament can have 100 per cent of what they want 100 per cent of the time, and Tasmanians would look very poorly on any individual member of parliament, whether they be in a political party or not, that held the parliament to ransom,” he said.
“We need to listen to everyone’s views and have a very sensible conversation in a very measured way about exactly the key areas that Tasmanians care about.”
Jeremy Rockliff says the Liberal Party is best placed to form government. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Mr Rockliff said he told crossbenchers he wanted to make this parliament work and that Tasmanians wanted an end to the political games.
He argued crossbenchers should support his party.
“We all want a stable parliament and a stable parliament with a government that has been re-elected with at least the same number of seats is the way forward.”
Mr Rockliff did not concede that he failed to manage the crossbench in the last parliament.
He said he would wait until all the votes are counted before going to the Governor to ask for his government to be recommissioned.