Both major party leaders have brushed off new polling showing Labor in front but unlikely to secure a majority, with each sticking firmly to their own campaign messages instead.
A fresh YouGov poll puts Labor on 34% support, ahead of the Liberals on 31%, pointing to a likely hung parliament with Labor as the biggest party.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff dismissed the results outright, saying he pays “no notice of the odds or, indeed, the polls”.
“That’s for commentators,” Rockliff said, instead using the moment to take aim at Labor leader Dean Winter for moving the no-confidence motion that triggered the election.
“This was an election that Tasmanians did not want, that Dean Winter, because of his rush of blood to the head, immaturity and a selfish grab for power, forced.”
Winter also sidestepped questions about what the numbers mean for a possible minority government, insisting Tasmanians should back Labor outright.
“If Tasmanians want a Labor government, they must vote Labor,” Winter said.
“We need people to vote Labor so that we can change the government. I want to provide Tasmanians with a fresh start.”
Both leaders stuck to their lines despite the polling suggesting neither is on track to win a clear majority.
Rockliff warned voters against a possible Labor-Greens deal, arguing Tasmania couldn’t afford “more deals, more delays and more political games”.
Winter turned his fire on the Liberals’ record on privatisation and demanded both Spirit of Tasmania ferries return home.
“He’s bringing the first one home, but we still don’t have any trust he’ll actually bring the second one home,” Winter said
Despite Labor’s lead, Rockliff remains the preferred premier on 43%, ahead of Winter on 36%.
