Tasmania Governor Grants Snap Election After Premier Loses No-Confidence Vote

Tasmania is set to hold an early election on July 19 after Premier Jeremy Rockliff lost a narrow no-confidence vote in the state parliament. Following the vote, Rockliff requested the state’s governor, Barbara Baker, to dissolve parliament and call a snap election, a request she granted after considering other options, including whether opposition leader Dean Winter could form a government. The political turmoil follows budget concerns, including rising debt forecasts and contentious state projects, prompting debate about the government's future. Despite the no-confidence motion, Liberal members have rallied behind Rockliff, and Winter has declined to cooperate with the Greens, making a minority government unlikely. This will be Tasmania’s fourth election in seven years and the second in just over a year. The emergency budget supply bill was also passed to ensure public services remain funded during this period of uncertainty.