Premier Jeremy Rockliff has today faced questions such as: you're not a legitimate Premier so what are you doing here? and; why should voters not punish you for taking them to an election? He said he is warmly received around the state and has the support of his party room. #politas

I'm sure those who are interested know by now but the budget bills have finally passed and a visit to government house should happen tonight. It'll be up to the Governor to decide what happens next, but an early election will be requested by Jeremy Rockliff. #politas

The legislative council is working on ironing out an error in the budget bills and there's been mention of it having to go to a committee stage. That would further delay things today. #politas

Long-time Labor MP and Speaker Michelle O'Byrne has confirmed she will not seek preselection to be a Labor candidate in the next state election, which is expected to be called within hours. #politas

There was a squeal of excitement from Labor's Meg Brown as Josh Willie told Parliament Labor is ready for an election. Felix Ellis held a press conference this morning to remind everyone he believes Dean Winter is forcing the state to an election for selfish reasons. #politas

kevinbonham.blogspot.com/2025/06/tasm... Tasmania 2025: The Election Cliff. Updates added as things happen. #politas

The Tasmanian Parliament has commenced a special sitting to pass budget supply bills. After this, Jeremy Rockliff is expected to head to Government House and request the state go to another early election. #politas

The earliest possible election date is now July 19 so I have deleted previous tweet re July 12 to avoid confusion #politas

Jeremy Rockliff has described the passing of a no confidence motion against him as a sad day. He admitted being disappointed, "if not broken-hearted, frankly". The mood in the chamber was incredibly sombre. Parliament has now been suspended. For a recap of the day watch #WIN at 5:30PM. #politas

Labor leader Dean Winter is summing up the debate in the House of Assembly. That means a vote is likely not far away. Over the lunch break Mr Winter held a press conference flanked by his party. Jeremy Rockliff found the time to attend the opening of Dark Mofo. #politas

Rob Fairs is following Simon Wood. Dean Winter's back and he's interjecting with accusations Fairs hasn't written his speech because "he's a decent bloke" and the speech is attacking Dean Winter. "leave this to Behrakis," Mr Winter said. #politas

Dean Winter is now in the chamber. Oh no wait, he's walking out again as I write this. #politas

It's Simon Wood's turn and he's pointed out how little Labor has spoken today (a bit funny given he rarely talks himself). He thinks Labor's crab-walking away from it's own motion. He called Dean Winter desperate and Rockliff "Tasmania's most trusted public servant,". #politas

Labor's Jen Butler is talking on the No Co Mo now. I believe she's the first Labor MP to speak today. There's not too many MPs to go and not everyone's speaking for the full 20 mins. #politas

Michael Ferguson is speaking from his seat, slamming Labor for not having many members in the chamber and calling Dean Winter weak and small. He claims Labor's given up on the debate and talking about times when Rockliff showed heart and good character. He's quoted some Mark Twain. #politas

Independent MP Rebekah Pentland is telling Parliament pro-stadium Tasmanians feel betrayed by the Opposition, although she does remain skeptical of the project. She has already said she won't support the motion. #politas

One of Jeremy Rockliff's biggest fans, Nic Street, is now speaking. He said a no confidence motion in the Premier is a motion of no confidence in the Government. That's kind of confusing. The Libs are basically unwilling to throw him under the bus. #politas

#Politas folks, I've made a #feed that shows the last seven days of posts using the hashtag for #Tasmanian politics. Useful for anyone who's as sick of searching for the hashtag as I am...particularly in these times of turmoil! Share around. #tasmania #taspol #auspol #tassie #hobart #launceston

I'm not sure Dean Winter is on this platform but his latest post on X confirms his party will not do a deal or form government with the Greens. "We are going to an election because the Liberals have broken the budget and want to sell off Tasmania's assets." - Dean Winter #politas

Liberal MP Jane Howlett flatly said "this is really, really bad," and called Dean Winter a "Dream Killer". I'd watch that anime. #politas

A few MPs are absent from the chamber as debate continues on a no confidence motion against Jeremy Rockliff. They include Labor leader Dean Winter, who put the motion forward. #politas

Jeremy Rockliff has told the media this morning he'll tell the governor Tasmania should go to an early election if the ongoing no confidence motion were to pass. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power," he said. Debate has just resumed in the HoA. #politas

I have a crazy early TV news deadline (watch WIN at 5:30) so I'm back in my office and will have to cease my posting for now. The web stream isn't working well for me but I did hear the Speaker mention tech issues were being worked on. #politas

I've been peeping over the glass of the press gallery to keep an eye on Rockliff. Last few times I've looked he's been absent. #politas

Eric Abetz told parliament the government won't support the Greens' amendment. He did, however, acknowledge that "I love the idea of what the Greens have done trying to wedge Labor...". #politas

The Greens are seeking to amend Labor's no confidence motion to take in to account the stadium, on the grounds that if Dean Winter is serious about the state's finances he shouldn't support it. Dean Winter has confirmed Labor won't support the amendment. #politas

A few MPs left the HoA chamber shortly after Jeremy Rockliff's contribution. They include independents Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland, JLN MP Andrew Jenner and govt members including Nic Street, Rob Fairs & Felix Ellis (they might have other places to be?). The Greens are up now. #politas

Jeremy Rockliff has wrapped up a contribution on the no confidence motion with a plea to the crossbench: Please put Tasmanians first - they don't want an election. He said while he's not perfect he's given his job "a red hot go". #politas

"You haven't got the ticker for the top job." - Jeremy Rockliff to Dean Winter #politas

Premier Rockliff is talking about his government's investment in education. He's brought up how he went to a school where the staff room used to be a toilet, and I think he also referenced a trough of some kind. #politas

Jeremy Rockliff told Parliament Dean Winter's in "too deep" and he will fight to the last breath to remain in government. But, "this day, it might not end well for me," he said. #politas

Jeremy Rockliff is bringing up the pandemic, the Hillcrest tragedy and the commission of inquiry as examples of the "challenges" the Liberals have faced governing in recent years. "All I can say is thank goodness that leaders stepped up during those times," he said. #politas

Jeremy Rockliff just stood up to speak in response to Labor's no confidence motion against him. #politas

Interesting interjections today. Dean Winter was talking about how many convos he'd had with the crossbench in the last 24 hours. David O'Byrne said Mr Winter hadn't spoken to him. Jeremy Rockliff has been a bit vocal and hopping in and out of his chair. He called Winter "weak as water". #politas

I'm sitting in the HoA chamber watching the no confidence motion in Tasmania's premier. Apparently the live stream has had issues but you can count on me (and the million other reporters in the gallery with me). #politas

Tas parli Qtime today focused on salmon mass deaths and the state government's plans to look into selling off public-owned assets. The government basically indicated there's not much to add because both matters are under review/being investigated and they'll have more to say after that. #politas

Part two of my Tassie politics special went to air on February 24. If you want to know what our pollies are listening to you can catch-up online (show starts a few mins in). #politas www.edgeradio.org.au/shows/what-i...

Casey Farrell is the new MHA for #Lyons, winning the recount for Rebecca White's seat by 242 votes. #politas

A move to establish an efficiency unit in Tas has been likened to DOGE/Elon Musk's role in the U.S. The govt won't respond directly to that claim but rejects it's a slash and burn exercise. It's not clear who'll be exempt beyond Hydro. Any opposition is being framed as a scare campaign. #politas

The Tasmanian Government is establishing an Efficiency and Productivity Unit (EPU) to "drive better service delivery across the state service". That, as well as potential public asset sales, is dominating today's HoA question time. To watch visit www.parliament.tas.gov.au/stream/house... #politas

QTime #1 2025: Labor highlights deficit/failed Spirit of Tas negs; Greens give JR a draft bill to allow an integrity comm. review; Garland calls for deets on salmon deaths; Kristie J. pushes for definition of a 'non-essential worker'; Miriam B. asks about Spirit 5 & Pentland nurses. #politas

I wrote this song with my band in 2020, after seeing stranded whales for the first time. If you listen be prepared to cry or cringe. #whalestranding #pilotwhale #falsekillerwhale #Tasmania thehuskeesofficial.bandcamp.com/track/pilots

Hello! Tassie-based political journo here. I'm not really sure how much I'll use this platform for work, but I'm glad to see the politas hashtag has been getting some love. Users please feel free to get in touch with any tip-offs, scoops, background commentary etc. #politas