Tasmanian premier to formally request early election

Tasmania’s premier is set to formally request an early election after two crossbench independents failed to agree to his terms for a new deal.

Australia’s only Liberal government has been in minority since May when John Tucker and Lara Alexander quit the party to sit as independents.

The pair agreed, and have provided, votes of confidence and supply since but rejected a recent ultimatum from Premier Jeremy Rockliff for a new more restrictive deal.

Mr Rockliff met cabinet and party parliamentary colleagues on Tuesday and emerged saying he had unanimous support for an early election.

He is expected to visit Governor Barbara Baker on Wednesday to make the request, more than a year before an election is due.

Independents John Tucker and Lara Alexander did not agree to the premier’s new deal. (Loic Le Guilly/AAP PHOTOS)

There is widespread speculation the poll date will be March 23.

Ms Alexander said she was disappointed Mr Rockliff had chosen to abandon his post and “run” to an election when there was so much work to be done.

She said victim-survivors deserved better – pointing to ongoing work implementing 191 recommendations from a damning inquiry into child sexual abuse in public institutions.

Ms Alexander and Mr Tucker have said they were prepared to continue with an agreement to prop up the government with votes of supply and confidence.

But they did not agree to Mr Rockliff’s new deal, which would have prevented them from voting for non-Liberal bills and amendments.

The Liberals were elected for a record third consecutive term in 2021 with 13 of 25 lower house seats.

Tasmania’s lower house will increase to 35 at the next election, with recent opinion polls suggesting neither the Liberals or Labor will be able to form a majority.

Both major parties, plus the Greens and the Jacqui Lambie Network, have announced candidates in recent weeks.

Ms Alexander said she would run as an independent.

Labor leader Rebecca White said Mr Rockliff had dithered since his initial early election threat on February 2.

“The premier has never looked weaker,” she said.