State election is on

A Tasmanian State election will be held on Saturday, 19th July.

The Governor, Her Excellency Barbara Baker AC, this evening had agreed to his request for an early state election.

This follows the passage in Parliament last Thursday of a vote of no confidence in Premier Rockliff, 18 votes to 17, days of backroom political manoeuvring which saw Premier Rockliff refuse to resign as Premier and Liberal Leader, and Labor Leader Dean Winter decline to seek to form a new government with the Greens.

"Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution", Her Excellency said.

"I make this grant because I am satisfied there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed."

The election is expected to be dominated by issues such as the proposed Macquarie Point AFL Stadium, Tasmania's state budget and debt, and the issue of privatisation of government assets (which Premier Rockliff ruled out on Saturday).

It has only 15 months since the last Tasmanian election, and will be Tasmania's fourth state election in 7 years.