Jeremy Rockliff has addressed the Liberal party faithful, all but claiming victory in Tasmania’s election, as the vote count continues.
Rockliff did the same in the state election held just 16 months ago, before his tenure ended in a no-confidence vote over the new AFL stadium plans, and the snap election was called.
The Liberal party had 13 of the necessary 18 votes to form a majority government at the time Rockliff gave his speech at 9.30pm AEST.
Standing in front of his mother, wife and three daughters on stage, Rockliff said he was “very humbled by tonight’s result”.
“A little over six weeks ago, the Leader of the Opposition forced this unnecessary election on the Tasmanian people by moving a vote of no-confidence,” he began.
“Tonight, in return, the people of Tasmania has said that they have no-confidence in the Labor Party to form government and they have voted to re- endorse our Liberal government.
“It is our team, the Liberal Party, who will achieve the most seats in this election, with a significantly increased vote, and I thank you. I want to thank all Tasmanians.
“On that basis, there is some way to go [but] at the conclusion of the counting and the return of the writs, I intend to visit the governor and ask her to recommission my government so we can get on with the job for Tasmania.”
Labor leader Dean Winter is yet to address the ALP party faithful or respond to Rockliff’s speech.
The count remains ongoing and a formal result is yet to be called, with more than 30 per cent of the vote still to be counted.
Tomorrow marks the 23rd anniversary of Rockcliff’s first election in 2002, which he said made today’s election more poignant.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Tasmania for the great privilege that you have provided me in being a member of parliament, a minister in a government, and Premier of Tasmania for the last three years.”
