Liberals outpoint Labor in state poll but majority in doubt

Premier Jeremy Rockliff earlier in the day declared the Liberals were “within a whisker” of majority.

“I’m particularly proud of our candidates, a great bunch of people from all walks of life,” Mr Rockliff told reporters after voting in Sassafras.

Labor leader Rebecca White is having a third tilt at becoming premier after briefly stepping down from the role after her 2021 defeat.

Ms White voted at Sorell, northeast of Hobart, alongside husband Rodney Dann and their two children.

“There is every chance that Tasmanians won’t get a final result [on Saturday night],” she said.

“It might take a number of days before we actually understand what the make-up of the next government and parliament is.”

Final results may not be known until the week of April 8 because of Easter public holidays, a record 167 candidates and an expanded parliament.

Rockliff and White have said they’re prepared to govern in minority but have ruled out doing deals or trading policy positions.

The pair have exchanged barbs over whether a new $715 million stadium in Hobart – a condition of Tasmania’s licence for an AFL club – is the right priority for the state.

Mr Rockliff, who signed the contract, backs the project but Ms White has described it as a bad deal and says she wants to renegotiate despite the AFL not wanting to budge.