Tasmania’s Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff doesn’t agree with calls for the party to move further to the right following its federal election defeat.
Mr Rockliff, one of just two Liberal state or territory leaders in Australia, says he expects to have a “very good” working relationship with Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Tasmania bucked the national trend of a swing against the Liberals, with Bridget Archer likely to retain the ultra-marginal seat of Bass and Gavin Pearce winning a second term in Braddon with increased primary support.
There was also a swing to the Liberals in Lyons, but Labor incumbent Brian Mitchell is expected to hold on.
Some conservative commentators, as well as long-time Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz who will likely lose his seat, believe the Liberals need to head further to the political right to regain lost voters.
Mr Rockliff agreed it would be concerning if the party took that message from Saturday’s poll.
“I just think what people expect from their members of parliament and their governments is to be fair, reasonable, make really strong decisions where necessary,” he told reporters.
“(And) ultimately care for their constituency and reflect their constituencies’ aspirations as well.
“My vision for Tasmania is to ensure that everyone is included, valued, supported (and) encouraged to be the best they can be.
“I also see that in Gavin and Bridget and what they stand for as well.”
Ms Archer has indicated she might put her hand up as federal deputy leader to keep the party from moving further to the right.
In 2020 she criticised the Scott Morrison government’s trial of a cashless card for welfare recipients and earlier this year crossed the floor to vote for protections for gay and transgender students.
“Our (Tasmanian) sitting members are outstanding people, hardworking and genuine and wear their heart on their sleeve,” Mr Rockliff said.
“They’ve listened to their communities, they’ve worked hard and that has been reflected in the result.”
Mr Rockliff, a Liberal moderate who became premier in April after a partyroom vote triggered by Peter Gutwein’s resignation, said he had a “great conversation” with Mr Albanese.
“In many respects we hold similar aspirations for Australia and Tasmania and I believe we’ll get on well and work constructively together,” he said.
Mr Rockliff said he would continue to pursue a 50-50 state-federal hospital funding arrangement and a “fair share” of GST revenue for Tasmania.
Labor’s failed Braddon candidate Chris Lynch said the party would have a serious look at what went wrong in Tasmania.
“The policies we have were embraced on the mainland … climate change, getting rid of the cashless debit card, putting some integrity and fairness back into the NDIS,” he told ABC Hobart radio.
“They were things I thought were resonating around Braddon, especially on the climate change issue. But it appears they haven’t.”
