An early election is growing increasingly likely, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has inferred, after he failed to reach an agreement with two Liberal-turned-Independent MPs.
The Premier met with defectors Lara Alexander and John Tucker on Friday in what he said was an “opportunity for them to put forward their position” after earlier issuing them an ultimatum.
“I’m actively considering requesting the Governor for an early election,” Rockliff said on Sunday.
“While I had a good meeting with Mrs Alexander and Mr Tucker on Friday, it didn’t result in what I required and what stability is needed and that is for the two independents to not support Labor and Greens motions in the parliament.”
The Premier plans to consult with cabinet colleagues on Tuesday to potentially determine the election date, likely in late March.
“Every week we have a cabinet meeting, we have a parliamentary Liberal party meeting … where I’ll be consulting my colleagues as I always do moving forward,” he said.
Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff said her party was ready and waiting.
“You’d be a little bit deluded to think there wasn’t a likelihood of an election soon,” she said.
“There’s a real opportunity here for the greens to have a balance of power in the lower house and have a strong voice in the upper house.”
Labor also says they are ready to head to the polls following confirmation the state branch had recently ended its national administration period.
