2010 Tasmanian state election

State election in Australia May 2020 2010 Tasmanian state election Tasmania parliamentary no 2006 Tasmanian state election 2006 2014 Tasmanian state election 2014 elected members All 25 seats in the House of Assembly 13 #Opinion polling 20 March 2010 Will Hodgman apples cropped.jpg 130 130 170 5 0 center Will Hodgman 30 March 2006 Liberal Party of Australia (Tasmanian Division) Franklin 7 seats, 31.82% 10 3 124,933 38.99% 7.17 DavidBartlettW1zoom.JPG 130 130 170 12 0 center David Bartlett 26 May 2008 Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch) Denison 14 seats, 49.27% 10 4 118,168 36.88% 12.39 Nick McKim June 2010.jpg 130 130 170 6 0 center Nick McKim 7 July 2008 Tasmanian Greens Franklin 4 seats, 16.64% 5 seats 1 69,233 21.61% 4.97 2010 Tasmanian state election - Results.svg 350px Results of the election Premier Subsequent Premier David Bartlett Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch) David Bartlett Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch) The 2010 Tasmanian state election was held on 20 March 2010 to elect members to the Tasmanian House of Assembly.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/12/2817517.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20100214072907/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/12/2817517.htm dead 14 February 2010 Tasmania election set for March 20 ABC News Online 12 February 2010 20 March 2010 The 12-year incumbent Labor government, led by Premier of Tasmania David Bartlett, won a fourth consecutive term against the Liberal opposition, led by Will Hodgman, after Labor formed a minority government with the support of the Greens. The election was conducted by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission, an independent body answerable to Parliament. As in past Tasmanian state elections, the proportional Hare-Clark system was used to allocate the 25 seats in the House. The commission announced that there were 357,315 enrolled electors at the close of rolls.2010 House of Assembly electoral rolls closed https://web.archive.org/web/20110225235209/http://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/pages/Media/PDF/HoA/2010HoARollsClosed.pdf 25 February 2011 , Tasmanian Electoral Commission, 22 February 2010 A total of 89 candidates nominated for election.Candidates Announced https://web.archive.org/web/20110225235013/http://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/pages/Media/PDF/HoA/2010HoACandidatesAnnounced.pdf 25 February 2011 , Tasmanian Electoral Commission, 5 March 2010 Dates On 17 November 2008, David Bartlett announced his government's intention to pass legislation enacting fixed electoral terms for Tasmania, with the next election scheduled to be held on 20 March 2010.Fixed term elections legislation, Government of Tasmania, 17 November 2008. It was noted by ABC election analyst Antony Green that the date was the same as the already-legislated South Australian election, and that this may have an effect on media coverage of both elections.Green, Antony: Reprise: Fixed Term Parliaments for Tasmania, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 18 November 2010. The draft legislation for the bill was referred to the Select Committee on the Working Arrangements of Parliament in October 2009, although Bartlett confirmed that the government was committed to the 20 March election date despite the fixed-term legislation not being enacted.Select Committee Proposed for Fixed-Term Bill, Government of Tasmania, 25 October 2009. On 12 February 2010, the Premier visited the Governor of Tasmania, Peter Underwood, to request that he dissolve the House of Assembly and issue the writs for the election. The Governor agreed to the following election dates:House of Assembly election dates announced https://web.archive.org/web/20110225235353/http://www.electoral.tas.gov.au/pages/Media/PDF/HoA/2010HoADatesAnnounced.pdf 25 February 2011 , Tasmanian Electoral Commission, 12 February 2010. 19 February 2010: Issue of writs and close of electoral rolls 4 March 2010: Close of candidate nominations 5 March 2010: Announcement of candidate nominations 20 March 2010: Polling day Campaign On 8 February, the Premier announced that Tasmania's first televised leaders' debate would be held on 14 March between himself and opposition leader Will Hodgman, and would be broadcast nationally by Sky News.Premier Announces Election Debate Details, Government of Tasmania, 8 February 2010. At the time of the announcement, Mr Hodgman was not aware of the debate and Greens leader Nick McKim was not invited.https://archive.today/20120722010540/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/08/2813147.htm Tas leaders trade insults over election debates, ABC News, 8 February 2010 On 10 March, around 100 forest workers protested outside the Greens official campaign launch.Michael Stedman, Workers crash Greens' launch, The Mercury, 11 March 2010 On 12 March, two Liberal and two Labor ex-premiers—Paul Lennon, Michael Field, Robin Gray and Tony Rundle—issued a joint press release warning voters of the dangers of minority government with the Greens holding the balance of power.Anne Mather, Foes unite on poll fear, The Mercury, 13 March 2010 In the week before the election, the Labor party distributed leaflets alleging that the Greens had a plan to legalise heroin and give "violent criminals" the right to vote.Sue Neales, Labor campaign gets dirty, The Mercury, 16 March 2010 In addition, 20,000 automated phone calls (robocalls) were made to residents of Braddon repeating these claims about the Greens, although Labor ended the campaign after a public backlash.Labor hangs up on anti-Green phone ads, ABC News, 17 March 2010 On 15 March, David Bartlett said he would resign if the Liberal party won more seats than Labor.Premier to resign if Liberals win more seats, ABC News, 16 March 2010 Results Results of the 2010 Tasmanian state election File:2010 TAS House of Assembly.svg 2010 Tasmanian state election: House of Assembly Liberal Labor Greens Socialist Alliance Independents 10 10 5 0 0 7.17 12.39 4.97 0.04 0.72 3 4 1 357315 1.03 14915 0.01 124933 118168 69233 646 7458 #080cab #f00011 #990000 Tasmanian Electoral Commission Primary vote by division Bass Braddon Denison Franklin Lyons Labor Party 34.52% 40.24% 36.30% 30.49% 42.76% Liberal Party 42.64% 45.19% 29.79% 41.17% 36.10% Tasmanian Greens 20.95% 13.76% 24.89% 27.35% 21.14% Other 1.89% 0.80% 9.01% 0.99% 0.00% Final distribution of seats auto Electorate Seats held Bass           Braddon           Denison           Franklin           Lyons           5em   Labor   Liberal   Green Outcome Labor lost four seats on a swing of 12.39 percentage points against it, whilst the Liberals gained three seats and the Greens one—the latter recording their highest ever statewide vote of 21.61%. This meant that both the Labor and Liberal Parties had 10 seats each, meaning neither could form majority government. It took over two weeks for the results to be formally declared, although the number of seats for each party was almost certain by the end of counting on the night of the election and the main question was which representatives of each party would win a seat, with the Hare-Clark and Robson rotation systems meaning that some incumbent members on both sides of parliament were defeated by newcomers from their own party.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/31/2861801.htm https://archive.today/20121231080348/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/31/2861801.htm dead 31 December 2012 Hodgman in box seat after Tasmania count complete 31 March 2010 10 April 2010 ABC Online The only inter-party battles for a seat during the counting process were between the Greens and Liberals for the final seat in Braddon (won by the Greens), and between independent Andrew Wilkie and the Liberals for the final seat in Denison (won by the Liberals). Attention was then focussed on the positions of the parties. Greens leader Nick McKim declared he was willing to make a deal with either party, whilst incumbent Premier David Bartlett and opposition leader Will Hodgman insisted they would stick to promises made before the election not to make any deals. Bartlett had also pledged that whoever won the most seats or, in the event of a tie, the most votes would have the right to form a government. Since the Liberals had won the popular vote by a margin of 6,700 votes, both leaders now claimed this meant that Hodgman had the right to form a ministry. On 1 April, the Labor caucus unanimously agreed to relinquish power and Bartlett announced that he would advise the Governor, Peter Underwood, to give Hodgman the opportunity to form government.https://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/politics/bartletts-labor-gives-up-power-in-tasmania-to-will-hodgmans-liberals/news-story/8146659030986bd8cebaa43955e4a068 Bartlett's Labor gives up power in Tasmania to Will Hodgman's Liberals The Australian 1 April 2010 10 April 2010 Matthew subscription Denholm Former federal Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson called Bartlett "silly" for not negotiating with the Greens.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/30/2859704.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20101119050031/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/30/2859704.htm dead 19 November 2010 'Silly' Labor leader should talk to Greens: Richardson 30 March 2010 10 April 2010 ABC Online On 7 April the results were formally declared. Under the Constitution Act 1934 Underwood had seven days to commission a Government. However, Bartlett neither resigned nor asked the governor to be recommissioned as governor. He instead remained as premier and advised that the governor "invite" Hodgman to indicate if he was willing and able to form a government. Only if Hodgman was able to satisfy the governor that was so able to form the government would Bartlett resign. If not, Bartlett would tender new advice.Twomey Anne Anne Twomey (academic) 2010 Appointing the Premier in a Hung Parliament: The Tasmanian Governor's Choice https://www.aspg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/06-TwomeyTas-Gov-2010-election-APR.pdf Australasian Parliamentary Review 25 2 53-62 The governor then received advice from Hodgman that he was willing and able to form a government, arguing that Bartlett had stated he would not support a no-confidence motion and that hence that Hodgman had the majority support of the lower house. However, the governor then sought reassurances from Bartlett, who denied that he would not support a no-confidence motion and argued that he had only supported giving Hodgman an "opportunity" to form government, a promise that he had now fulfilled. In response to these discussions, the governor ultimately recommissioned Bartlett on 9 April, releasing detailed reasons for his decision.Hon Peter Underwood AC 9 April 2010 The reasons of the Governor of Tasmania for the commissioning of the Honourable David Bartlett to form a government following the 2010 House of Assembly Election http://www.govhouse.tas.gov.au/sites/default/files/speeches/Reasons_for_commissioning_Mr_Bartlett_to_form_a_government.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110327014738/http://www.govhouse.tas.gov.au/sites/default/files/speeches/Reasons_for_commissioning_Mr_Bartlett_to_form_a_government.pdf 27 March 2011 2 December 2010 doc He stated that Bartlett did not have the right to promise power to Hodgman, with the decision of who has the right to form a government the sole prerogative of the governor. As Bartlett, would not give support to Hodgman on matters of supply, he concluded that Hodgman was not in a position to form a government. Instead, he considered that as Bartlett was the current premier, he had a "constitutional obligation" to form a government and test its support at the meeting of the next parliament.Green, Antony. 2014 Tasmanian election preview. ABC News, 2014-01-17. This obligation arose regardless of the position of the Greens, as it as a matter for the Assembly as a whole to test or maintain support for the ministry. Hodgman accused Bartlett of breaking his promise to hand over power, noting that in a letter to the Governor, Bartlett had contradicted a public statement made on 1 April where he had said he would not move any vote of no confidence against a Liberal government.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/09/2868890.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20100410170148/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/09/2868890.htm dead 10 April 2010 Governor's stinging rebuke for Bartlett Ogilvie Felicity ABC News 9 April 2010 10 April 2010 See also http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2868911.htm Tasmanian Governor explains why he picked Labor Ogilvie Felicity PM (ABC) 9 April 2010 10 April 2010 However, Professor Richard Herr of the University of Tasmania had earlier argued that it was likely Bartlett would remain in office. He doubted that the House would reassemble in the week after the writs were returned, and precedent required Underwood to recommission Bartlett and allow Parliament to decide his fate. He added that part of a premier's duty as principal adviser to a governor is to give advice that a governor can legally accept.http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2862258.htm Analyst predicts minority Labor government – for now Hall Eleanor The World Today (ABC) 7 April 2010 10 April 2010 Constitutional law expert Michael Stokes disagreed, saying too high a bar had been set for the Liberals and Labor had not proven it could deliver stable government in the new Assembly.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/10/2869201.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20100413173221/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/10/2869201.htm dead 13 April 2010 Law expert questions Governor's decision to reappoint Labor 10 April 2010 10 April 2010 ABC Online Academic Anne Twomey argued that the problem arose because Bartlett had neither decided to resign nor ask to be recommissioned. As the incumbent premier, Bartlett would have been entitled to be recommissioned and be given first the opportunity to test his support in the Parliament. Alternatively, had Bartlett resigned the governor would be required to appoint Hodgman as the only other person likely to hold the confidence of the lower house, who would then have the first opportunity to test his support at the first meeting of Parliament. On the day before the decision was finalised, the Greens indicated that as no party had shown a willingness to negotiate a deal with them, they would neither initiate nor support a vote of no confidence against the Labor government until a deal with either party could be arranged.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/08/2866921.htm?site=news https://web.archive.org/web/20110511192130/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/08/2866921.htm?site=news dead 11 May 2011 Labor considers next move 8 April 2010 10 April 2010 ABC Online On 13 April, to meet the deadline imposed by the Constitution Act 1934, Governor Underwood swore in an interim cabinet, consisting of David Bartlett as Premier, Lara Giddings as Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, and Michael Aird as Treasurer.Media ban as Bartlett government sworn in, ABC News, 13 April 2010. On 19 April 2010, after a week of negotiations, Bartlett agreed to a coalition with the Greens. He named McKim as a minister in his cabinet and also named Cassy O'Connor, Greens member for Denison, as cabinet secretary.https://archive.today/20120718001328/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/20/2877131.htm Greens, Bartlett reach last-minute compromise, ABC News, 20 April 2010 On 4 May, the Greens nominated Tim Morris for the position of Deputy Speaker—a surprise for Labor who had nominated Brenton Best. With the support of the Liberals, Morris was elected with 15 votes to Best's 8.Greens spring Best surprise, The Mercury, 5 May 2010. On 5 May, the first day of sitting for the new parliament, the Liberals moved a motion of no-confidence against the Bartlett government, which was defeated by Labor and the Greens.Labor, Greens defeat 'no confidence' move, ABC News, 5 May 2010. Opinion polling Polling was conducted every three months by Enterprise Marketing and Research Services (EMRS). The sample size for each poll was 1,000 Tasmanian voters.EMRS State Voting Intentions Poll https://web.archive.org/web/20110216230051/http://www.emrs.com.au/pdfs/State%20Voting%20Intentions%20November%202010.pdf 16 February 2011 , EMRS, November 2010. Voting intention Date Firm Samplesize Primary vote white Tasmanian Labor Party ALP white Tasmanian Liberal Party LIB white Tasmanian Greens GRN white Independent politicians in Australia IND UND Undecided Feb 2010 EMRSGreen Antony Latest EMRS poll shows Green surge ahead of Tasmanian Election https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-02-24/latest-emrs-poll-shows-green-surge-ahead-of-tasmanian-election/9389354 ABC News 20 November 2025 https://archive.today/20251120053252/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-02-24/latest-emrs-poll-shows-green-surge-ahead-of-tasmanian-election/9389354 20 November 2025 24 February 2010Denholm Matthew Green power is splitting the vote in Tasmania https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/green-power-is-splitting-the-vote-in-tasmania/news-story/aa98090ace17a00c258ca086feebecaf The Australian 20 November 2025 https://archive.today/20251120053300/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/green-power-is-splitting-the-vote-in-tasmania/news-story/aa98090ace17a00c258ca086feebecaf?amp 20 November 2025 subscription live 25 February 2010 1,000 23% 30% 22% 2% 23% Nov 2009 EMRS 1,000 26% 37% 17% 2% 19% Aug 2009 EMRSGreen Antony New EMRS Opinion Poll in Tasmania https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-13/new-emrs-opinion-poll-in-tasmania/9389242 ABC News 20 November 2025 https://archive.today/20251120053730/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-08-13/new-emrs-opinion-poll-in-tasmania/9389242 20 November 2025 13 August 2009 1,000 26% 33% 17% 2% 22% May 2009 EMRS 1,000 33% 27% 27% 3% 24% Feb 2009 EMRS 1,000 34% 29% 15% 2% 20% Nov 2008 EMRS 1,000 30% 26% 18% 1% 23% Aug 2008 EMRS 1,000 30% 30% 16% 1% 23% May 2008 EMRS 1,000 25% 31% 18% 2% 22% Leadership approval Preferred premier Date Firm Samplesize Party leaders white David Bartlett Bartlett white Will Hodgman Hodgman white Nick McKim McKim Unsure Feb 2010 EMRS 1,000 29% 34% 21% 18 Nov 2009 EMRS 1,000 28% 40% 19% Aug 2009 EMRS 1,000 30% 37% 15% May 2009 EMRS 1,000 39% 31% 15% Feb 2009 EMRS 1,000 41% 29% 12% See also Candidates of the 2010 Tasmanian state election Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly, 2010–2014 Notes External links Tasmanian Electoral Commission – 2010 House of Assembly elections Category:Elections in Tasmania Category:2010 elections in Australia Category:2010s in Tasmania Category:March 2010 in Australia