Tasmania’s state election, which could decide the future of Hobart’s controversial AFL stadium and the Tasmania Devils AFL team, will be decided on July 11.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Wednesday night visited state governor Barbara Baker, who – after a 48-hour delay – will call an election.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has visited the state’s governor seeking an early election.Credit: Ethan James/AAP
It comes after days of political uncertainty that followed when the state’s parliament passed a motion of no-confidence in Rockliff as state leader.
Liberal Rockliff and Opposition Leader Dean Winter have both publicly pledged their support for the stadium and the creation of the Devils as the AFL’s 19th team. However, the recent week of political upheaval has left senior figures at the AFL and some club presidents with serious concerns.
Baker confirmed in a statement after her meeting with Rockliff that she would dissolve parliament and issue the writ for the election.
It will be Tasmania’s fourth state election in seven years after early polls were also held in 2021 and 2024.
“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,” Baker said in the statement.
“I make this grant because I am satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed.”
Mr Rockliff has resisted pressure to resign and insisted the backing of his partyroom remains solid, despite reports former senator Eric Abetz and ex-deputy premier Michael Ferguson were willing to be leader.
“I have a commitment from my team to support me as leader and I am not going anywhere,” he said earlier on Wednesday.
Baker also met Winter, the state’s Labor leader, on Wednesday afternoon.
His party has just 10 of 35 lower-house seats (the Liberals had 14) in the present parliament, and he has said he will not look to form a minority government with the Greens, who are opposed to the Macquarie Point stadium proposal.
