Share this @internewscast.com
Two months after a no-confidence motion, Jeremy Rockliff has been reinstated as Tasmania’s premier following an election that resulted in a nearly identical hung parliament.
Governor Barbara Baker announced this morning that Rockliff would be reappointed as premier, as his Liberal Party secured 14 seats in last month’s election.
That was more than Labor’s 10 – but still short of the 18 required to govern in a majority.
However, Baker said that, as the incumbent, Rockliff had the right to test whether he has the support of parliament.
“In a hung parliament, where no party has a clear majority, the incumbent is entitled to remain in office to test the numbers in the House of Assembly and for Parliament to ultimately decide who should be premier,” she stated.
“I consider the convention of incumbency applies in the current circumstances. I shall reappoint the premier.
“It is better for confidence to be determined inside and not outside the parliament.”
That test will take place within the next fortnight, with parliament to reconvene on August 19.
Rockliff and his cabinet will be sworn in next week.