Poll Result: 72% of Tasmanians call for negotiated agreement, not minority government

With the Liberal Party now set to form government in Tasmania, voters are sending a clear message to would-be Premier Will Hodgman: “donʼt try to go it alone.”

In a poll released today by GetUp and Our Common Ground, 72% of Tasmanian voters called for a negotiated solution to the divided parliament. Only 21% said they would prefer either the Labor or Liberal party attempting to govern alone in minority.

Among voters who supported the Liberal Party this election, 61% want a negotiated agreement, compared to 36% who would see Will Hodgman try to form a minority government without negotiation.

In his election night speech, Will Hodgman promised, “I will respect the will of the people and the verdict they deliver.”

“The will of the people is clear. Will Hodgman: donʼt try to go it alone – negotiate with the Greens or Labor to form an agreement for a stable government” said GetUp National Director, Simon Sheikh.

“Tasmanians donʼt want partisan squabbles to get in the way of a stable and sensible negotiated agreement.”

68% of Labor voters, 61% of Liberal voters and 93% of Greens voters prefer a negotiation to any party trying to go it alone, and voters of all political inclinations would prefer a negotiated solution to the party they voted for going it alone.

In a further indication that Tasmanians want to see a stable government that goes the full term, 64% of Tasmanians called for a fixed four-year term for their government, as opposed to only 29% in favor of the status quo, which allows an election to be called at any time.

“This is an opportunity for Mr. Hodgman to move past the old divisions, find compromise and move Tasmania forward together. It will take political courage – so the question now is, will he pick up the phone?” said Mr Sheikh.

Download full details of poll from GetUp: HERE
GetUp Poll-negotiated agreement.pdf