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Tasmania’s Labor leader has reached out to independents in the hope of forming government, despite his party losing ground and trailing the Liberals seat-wise.
Saturday’s snap poll, 16 months after the last, returned another hung parliament with the Liberals so far securing 14 seats and Labor nine, as counting continues.
Both will be short of the 18 seats required for majority, with Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff declaring victory on election night and saying he would try to form a minority government.
Labor under Dean Winter had a 3 per cent swing against it and the party’s worst primary vote in Tasmania in more than a century.

However, Winter hasn’t ruled out trying to form government if the Liberals are unable to get a left-leaning independent crossbench onside.

Tasmanian State Election 2025 Premier Jeremy Rockliff

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he will ask the governor to recommission his Liberal government. Source: AAP / Chris Kidd

“I’ve spoken to a number of members of the crossbench and offered Labor will try and work differently and collaboratively,” he said on Saturday.

“I won’t go into the details of any of the conversations but we’ll treat people with respect.
“I think that’s what the crossbench is looking for and it’s also what Tasmanians are looking for.”
However, Winter reiterated he would not “do a deal” with the Greens — Labor would need support from the party, which hold five seats — to govern.
Winter said he would not compromise on Labor policy, including support for a $945 million stadium which is opposed by the Greens and three crossbench independents.

One of those independents, a re-elected Kristie Johnston, says she won’t enter into a formal deal for confidence and supply with either major party and will provide support on merit.

Tasmanian State Election 2025

Independent Kristie Johnston says she will not enter into a formal deal with the Liberals or Labor. Source: AAP / Chris Kidd

“They need to negotiate and respect the views of parliament,” she told AAP.

It could take weeks for the final outcome in four remaining undecided seats, meaning formal minority agreements may take even longer.
Rockliff would need to work with independents to govern, including two, Johnston and the re-elected Craig Garland, who voted for a no-confidence motion against him.

The June vote, which triggered the election, lashed ballooning debt under the Liberals and bungled Bass Strait ferry delivery.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has kept the door ajar for a Labor alliance, calling on Winter to “have a conversation”.
The project is supported by the Liberals and Labor but opposed by the Greens, Garland, Johnston and the third elected independent Peter George.
The new parliament will be very similar to the previous one that included 14 Liberals, 10 Labor, five Greens, five independents and one Jacqui Lambie Network member.
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