Tasmanians are voting today in an early election where leaders of the two major parties have pledged not to govern in the minority. The Liberal government is seeking a historic third term on Saturday after calling the election a year ahead of schedule. But there is an increasing feeling the level of support for the Labor opposition and high-profile independents in the Hobart electorate of Clark could result in a hung parliament.
The Liberals retained power in 2018, winning 13 seats, a narrow one-seat majority, in the 25-seat lower house. Premier Peter Gutwein, who has said the Liberals won’t try to govern in the minority, voted alongside wife Amanda in Launceston. Voters have a choice between certainty, stab,lity, and a majority Liberal government or a minority government that will takebackwardards,” he told reporters.
An early election was called in April after speaker Sue Hickey quit the Liberals to sit as an independent, plunging the government into the minority. Labor opposition leader Rebecca White cast her vote in Sorell, located northeast of Hobart and sits in the electorate of Lyons. She said on Friday she wouldn’t lead a minority government, and no one from her party would either. We’re campaigning to win. I’ve said throughout this entire campaign that is the only thing I’m working on,” she said.
Due to their coronavirus management, Mr. Gutwein and the Liberals experienced a surge in popularity, but a recent voter survey indicated their backing could be on the slide.
Polling by comms for the Australia Institute had the Liberals at 41 percent, Labor at 32, the Greens at 12, and Independents at 11 percent.
Ms. Hickey, Glenorchy mayor, and fellow independent Kristie Johnston could pull sizeable votes in Clark.
“I’m feeling more confident because so many people have been supportive, and it has been a wonderful campaign,” Ms. Hickey said on Saturday after casting her vote in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
“People have been so disillusioned with a majority government. They are looking for a change, and I’m hoping to be that change.”
Mr. Gutwein, facing voters for the first time as premier after taking over as a leader in early 2020, has pointed to the state’s strong economic rebound from COVID-19.
Labor, which has nine seats, says Tasmania’s stretched health system means it is time to change after seven years of the Liberal government.
Mr. Gutwein is continuing to stand by embattled Braddon candidate Adam Brooks. The latter is accused of creating an online profile using a fake name and dating a woman using the alias.
“Mr. Brooks … has emphatically denied these allegations,” Mr. Gutwein said.
More than 45,000 of Tasmania’s 392,000 registered voters have already cast their ballots through pre-polling and postal votes, estimated to reach 60,000.
