Jeremy Rockliff Reappointed as Tasmania’s Premier, Ending Weeks of Political Uncertainty

Tasmania’s Liberal government has been formally recommissioned, bringing an end to a period of political uncertainty following a snap election that failed to produce a clear majority for either major party.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff visited Government House on Wednesday, where he met with Governor Barbara Baker to formally request that his minority government be allowed to continue in office.

Governor Baker granted the request, stating Rockliff had assured her he would be able to command the confidence of the House of Assembly.

“In a hung parliament, where no one party holds a clear majority, the incumbent is entitled to remain in office to test their support in the House of Assembly,” the Governor said in a statement.

“I consider the convention of incumbency to apply in the current circumstances. I shall reappoint the Premier. It is better for confidence to be determined inside, not outside, the Parliament.”

Rockliff and his cabinet are expected to be sworn in next week, ahead of Parliament's return on 19 August.

Governor Baker indicated that further detail on her decision would be made available on her official website later in the day.

The final composition of the Tasmanian Parliament following the 19 July election stands at 14 Liberal MPs, 10 Labor, five Greens, one Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP, and five independents.

The early election-the state's second in just 16 months-was triggered after Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion. One of the central issues complicating post-election negotiations has been the proposed $1 billion Hobart stadium project, which is supported by the major parties but opposed by the Greens and several independents.