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ABC News
19 minutes ago
- ABC News
The Tasmanian state election is over — here's when we get a new government
For Tasmanians wondering when they might have a parliament in place and a government doing actual government things, it could still be weeks off. However, the official process to commission a government is underway. More than a fortnight since the Tasmanian state election, the writs are now expected to be returned to the governor. Once the writs — the written commands for the election of a new parliament — are returned, it starts a seven-day process during which Governor Barbara Baker must commission a premier and swear in at least some ministers. Premier Jeremy Rockliff has said he intends to request Governor Baker recommissions his government. But it remains unclear when exactly parliament will return. The Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) will hold the declaration of the polls ceremonies for each electoral division today. These are formal ceremonies where the newly elected members of the House of Assembly are announced. After that, the electoral writs from each division will be returned to the governor. Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said the premier will meet with the governor once the writs have been returned. "The premier is the premier, until the premier is not the premier, essentially," Mr Hawkey said. "So, the premier will go to Her Excellency and there'll be discussions — similar to the ones prior to the election being called — about if they're sure they can form government." The governor will also need to determine when parliament will next sit. When parliament resumes, Mr Hawkey said the lower house will then need to elect a speaker. But how soon parliament resumes will be up to the discretion of the governor — although it must be within 90 days of the writs being returned. The timeline isn't fixed, with the governor having the option to bring parliament back sooner if she deems it necessary after meeting with Mr Rockliff. However, election analyst Dr Kevin Bonham told ABC Radio Mornings it could be more than a month away. "I would think, hopefully, as early as possible given the circumstances." If Mr Rockliff is recommissioned as premier, Labor's pathway to power would have to be through a no-confidence vote in the premier when parliament resumes. It's a scenario that's happened before in Tasmania. The 1989 election also resulted in a hung parliament, with the incumbent Liberals winning 17 seats and Labor 13. An accord between Labor and the five "Green independents" was made, meaning the new coalition had 18 seats, enough to form government. Returning Liberal premier Robin Gray refused to resign, instead asking then-governor Sir Phillip Bennett to call another election. Governor Bennett refused, and Mr Gray faced a no-confidence vote in parliament, which he lost. "He said, 'I can form government even though I'm in minority', there was no confidence and that transitioned directly into Michael Field's Labor government, with the Greens' support. "We may see something similar across the board. We don't know yet, we'll have to wait and see." Despite those similarities, the lower house today looks very different from that of 1989. If the Liberals are unable to form government, Labor would need to do it with support from a large crossbench. The Liberals have 14 seats, Labor 10, and the crossbench is made up of five Greens, five independents, and one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP. One of the independents — Craig Garland — has already ruled out doing a confidence and supply deal with the Liberals. And the Greens won't be offering their support to the Liberals either. Mr Rockliff has said, unlike last time, he won't rely on confidence and supply agreements to form government. Despite the general make-up of parliament appearing similar to last one, in terms of the major parties' seats, Dr Bonham said there was an important difference. "Last time, we had the very inexperienced Jacqui Lambie Network grouping, who didn't have such a strong sense of what issues they were standing on," he said.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Benjamin Netanyahu initiates complete Israeli military takeover of Gaza to pressure Hamas on hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full military occupation of Gaza, escalating the conflict in the Palestinian territory amid efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Mr Netanyahu informed ministers on Monday (Tuesday AEST) that he plans to seek cabinet approval for the move, despite rising opposition from within the Israel Defence Forces and former military leaders, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Hebrew media. A senior official close to Mr Netanyahu told Ynet, 'The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.' Currently, Israeli forces control approximately 75 per cent of Gaza, but this new order would lead to the takeover of the remaining areas as operations intensify to rescue hostages believed to be held in those locations, reported the Jerusalem Post. The decision reportedly came without consultation with the Israeli military's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, who was told to comply with the directive or resign, according to an internal memo. This military escalation follows disturbing footage released by Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, showing two Israeli hostages in visibly weakened states, deeply shocking Israel. Of the 251 people taken during Hamas's October 2023 assault on Israel, 49 remain captive in Gaza, including 27 who are presumed dead. Footage showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David marking days on a calendar inside a Gaza tunnel confirmed his continued captivity. David, who turned 24 while in captivity, was abducted during the initial Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Senior Israeli officials who discussed the occupation plan alongside Mr Netanyahu believe Hamas will only release the remaining hostages if they are forced to surrender. Channel 12 quoted officials who said, 'If we do not act now, the hostages will die of hunger and Gaza will remain under Hamas control.' US President Donald Trump and Mr Netanyahu are reportedly coordinating to present Hamas with an ultimatum: release the hostages and disarm, or face a sustained Israeli military campaign. This development comes as 19 retired Israeli leaders, including former prime minister and IDF chief Ehud Barak, issued a video appeal over the weekend urging Mr Netanyahu to end the war. They criticised the ongoing campaign, blaming the Prime Minister for prolonging the conflict to maintain his fragile right-wing coalition. 'We are on the precipice of defeat,' said former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, reflecting on the growing international outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'What the world sees today is of our own creation,' he added, referencing images of starvation and suffering among Gaza's children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasised that the focus should remain on the hostages at an upcoming United Nations Security Council session. 'The world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and centre on the world stage,' Mr Saar said at a press briefing. 'I will head to New York tonight to participate in a special UN Security Council session that I initiated, taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) on the situation of the hostages,' he added. The situation remains highly volatile as international and domestic pressures mount on Mr Netanyahu's Government while Israeli forces move to complete their control over Gaza.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Netanyahu orders full Israeli occupation of Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full military occupation of Gaza, escalating the conflict in the Palestinian territory amid efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages. Mr Netanyahu informed ministers on Monday (Tuesday AEST) that he plans to seek cabinet approval for the move, despite rising opposition from within the Israel Defence Forces and former military leaders, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Hebrew media. A senior official close to Mr Netanyahu told Ynet, 'The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.' Currently, Israeli forces control approximately 75 per cent of Gaza, but this new order would lead to the takeover of the remaining areas as operations intensify to rescue hostages believed to be held in those locations, reported the Jerusalem Post. The decision reportedly came without consultation with the Israeli military's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, who was told to comply with the directive or resign, according to an internal memo. This military escalation follows disturbing footage released by Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, showing two Israeli hostages in visibly weakened states, deeply shocking Israel. Of the 251 people taken during Hamas's October 2023 assault on Israel, 49 remain captive in Gaza, including 27 who are presumed dead. Footage showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David marking days on a calendar inside a Gaza tunnel confirmed his continued captivity. David, who turned 24 while in captivity, was abducted during the initial Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Senior Israeli officials who discussed the occupation plan alongside Mr Netanyahu believe Hamas will only release the remaining hostages if they are forced to surrender. Channel 12 quoted officials who said, 'If we do not act now, the hostages will die of hunger and Gaza will remain under Hamas control.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. US President Donald Trump and Mr Netanyahu are reportedly coordinating to present Hamas with an ultimatum: release the hostages and disarm, or face a sustained Israeli military campaign. This development comes as 19 retired Israeli leaders, including former prime minister and IDF chief Ehud Barak, issued a video appeal over the weekend urging Mr Netanyahu to end the war. They criticised the ongoing campaign, blaming the Prime Minister for prolonging the conflict to maintain his fragile right-wing coalition. 'We are on the precipice of defeat,' said former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, reflecting on the growing international outcry over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 'What the world sees today is of our own creation,' he added, referencing images of starvation and suffering among Gaza's children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasised that the focus should remain on the hostages at an upcoming United Nations Security Council session. 'The world must put an end to the phenomenon of kidnapping civilians. It must be front and centre on the world stage,' Mr Saar said at a press briefing. 'I will head to New York tonight to participate in a special UN Security Council session that I initiated, taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) on the situation of the hostages,' he added. The situation remains highly volatile as international and domestic pressures mount on Mr Netanyahu's Government while Israeli forces move to complete their control over Gaza.
