Jostling for government hots up as final votes declared

The Advertiser

17 hours ago

Tasmanians hope to soon gain a clearer picture of their next government, as the declaration of poll ceremony finalises results of a snap election that left the state in political limbo.
With the votes counted and elected members confirmed, focus shifts to high-stakes negotiations as the major parties vie to form the next government.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has declared his readiness to accept the "will of the people" as he positions the Liberal Party as the strongest contenders to form government.
He revealed on Sunday he intends to ask Governor Barbara Baker to recommission his government, saying he is keen to "get on with the job".
"We want to work with each and every member of parliament to ensure everyone has their say," Mr Rockliff said.
"Tasmanians are sick and tired of the political games. They have elected a parliament, they expect all members of parliament to work together."
The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents.
Labor's Jess Greene and independent George Razay claimed the final seats in the division of Bass on Saturday.
Mr Rockliff and Labor Leader Dean Winter are intensifying negotiations with the crossbench to form another minority government as they attempt to secure the 18 parliamentary votes needed to govern.
Professor Razay didn't reveal whether he would support the Liberals or Labor when speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Monday.
"Nobody knows George's views until the day of voting because I like to listen to every opinion and do my background research and then make my opinion on that day," he said.
"So I said to both, 'look don't worry about me, if you are able to form a government, I am going to support whoever forms a government'."
Deputy Labor Leader Anita Dow criticised Mr Rockliff's pledge, saying he had "learned nothing" from the starring role he played in the collapse of the last parliament.
"The increasingly arrogant Premier claimed that without changing the way he operates, a new government he leads could last a full term,'' she said.
"Despite losing the confidence of the house, he still thinks the last parliament was working well."
The snap election on July 19 was triggered after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion, prompting the state's second election in 16 months.
A key sticking point in negotiations to form government is the major parties backing a new stadium on Hobart's waterfront, which is a condition for Tasmania getting a side in the AFL.
But the Greens and some independents are bitterly opposed to the plan.
Tasmanians hope to soon gain a clearer picture of their next government, as the declaration of poll ceremony finalises results of a snap election that left the state in political limbo.
With the votes counted and elected members confirmed, focus shifts to high-stakes negotiations as the major parties vie to form the next government.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has declared his readiness to accept the "will of the people" as he positions the Liberal Party as the strongest contenders to form government.
He revealed on Sunday he intends to ask Governor Barbara Baker to recommission his government, saying he is keen to "get on with the job".
"We want to work with each and every member of parliament to ensure everyone has their say," Mr Rockliff said.
"Tasmanians are sick and tired of the political games. They have elected a parliament, they expect all members of parliament to work together."
The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents.
Labor's Jess Greene and independent George Razay claimed the final seats in the division of Bass on Saturday.
Mr Rockliff and Labor Leader Dean Winter are intensifying negotiations with the crossbench to form another minority government as they attempt to secure the 18 parliamentary votes needed to govern.
Professor Razay didn't reveal whether he would support the Liberals or Labor when speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Monday.
"Nobody knows George's views until the day of voting because I like to listen to every opinion and do my background research and then make my opinion on that day," he said.
"So I said to both, 'look don't worry about me, if you are able to form a government, I am going to support whoever forms a government'."
Deputy Labor Leader Anita Dow criticised Mr Rockliff's pledge, saying he had "learned nothing" from the starring role he played in the collapse of the last parliament.
"The increasingly arrogant Premier claimed that without changing the way he operates, a new government he leads could last a full term,'' she said.
"Despite losing the confidence of the house, he still thinks the last parliament was working well."
The snap election on July 19 was triggered after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion, prompting the state's second election in 16 months.
A key sticking point in negotiations to form government is the major parties backing a new stadium on Hobart's waterfront, which is a condition for Tasmania getting a side in the AFL.
But the Greens and some independents are bitterly opposed to the plan.
Tasmanians hope to soon gain a clearer picture of their next government, as the declaration of poll ceremony finalises results of a snap election that left the state in political limbo.
With the votes counted and elected members confirmed, focus shifts to high-stakes negotiations as the major parties vie to form the next government.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has declared his readiness to accept the "will of the people" as he positions the Liberal Party as the strongest contenders to form government.
He revealed on Sunday he intends to ask Governor Barbara Baker to recommission his government, saying he is keen to "get on with the job".
"We want to work with each and every member of parliament to ensure everyone has their say," Mr Rockliff said.
"Tasmanians are sick and tired of the political games. They have elected a parliament, they expect all members of parliament to work together."
The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents.
Labor's Jess Greene and independent George Razay claimed the final seats in the division of Bass on Saturday.
Mr Rockliff and Labor Leader Dean Winter are intensifying negotiations with the crossbench to form another minority government as they attempt to secure the 18 parliamentary votes needed to govern.
Professor Razay didn't reveal whether he would support the Liberals or Labor when speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Monday.
"Nobody knows George's views until the day of voting because I like to listen to every opinion and do my background research and then make my opinion on that day," he said.
"So I said to both, 'look don't worry about me, if you are able to form a government, I am going to support whoever forms a government'."
Deputy Labor Leader Anita Dow criticised Mr Rockliff's pledge, saying he had "learned nothing" from the starring role he played in the collapse of the last parliament.
"The increasingly arrogant Premier claimed that without changing the way he operates, a new government he leads could last a full term,'' she said.
"Despite losing the confidence of the house, he still thinks the last parliament was working well."
The snap election on July 19 was triggered after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion, prompting the state's second election in 16 months.
A key sticking point in negotiations to form government is the major parties backing a new stadium on Hobart's waterfront, which is a condition for Tasmania getting a side in the AFL.
But the Greens and some independents are bitterly opposed to the plan.
Tasmanians hope to soon gain a clearer picture of their next government, as the declaration of poll ceremony finalises results of a snap election that left the state in political limbo.
With the votes counted and elected members confirmed, focus shifts to high-stakes negotiations as the major parties vie to form the next government.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has declared his readiness to accept the "will of the people" as he positions the Liberal Party as the strongest contenders to form government.
He revealed on Sunday he intends to ask Governor Barbara Baker to recommission his government, saying he is keen to "get on with the job".
"We want to work with each and every member of parliament to ensure everyone has their say," Mr Rockliff said.
"Tasmanians are sick and tired of the political games. They have elected a parliament, they expect all members of parliament to work together."
The final makeup of Tasmania's parliament is 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP and five independents.
Labor's Jess Greene and independent George Razay claimed the final seats in the division of Bass on Saturday.
Mr Rockliff and Labor Leader Dean Winter are intensifying negotiations with the crossbench to form another minority government as they attempt to secure the 18 parliamentary votes needed to govern.
Professor Razay didn't reveal whether he would support the Liberals or Labor when speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Monday.
"Nobody knows George's views until the day of voting because I like to listen to every opinion and do my background research and then make my opinion on that day," he said.
"So I said to both, 'look don't worry about me, if you are able to form a government, I am going to support whoever forms a government'."
Deputy Labor Leader Anita Dow criticised Mr Rockliff's pledge, saying he had "learned nothing" from the starring role he played in the collapse of the last parliament.
"The increasingly arrogant Premier claimed that without changing the way he operates, a new government he leads could last a full term,'' she said.
"Despite losing the confidence of the house, he still thinks the last parliament was working well."
The snap election on July 19 was triggered after Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion, prompting the state's second election in 16 months.
A key sticking point in negotiations to form government is the major parties backing a new stadium on Hobart's waterfront, which is a condition for Tasmania getting a side in the AFL.
But the Greens and some independents are bitterly opposed to the plan.