9.35PM UPDATE

BASS

52 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 47.6% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 34.8%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 7.8% of the vote.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Nikolic lads 53.8% to Mr Lyons 46.% - a swing of 10.5% away from Labor.

LYONS

94 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 44.4% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 37.1% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 8%

On a two-part preferred basis, Mr Hutchinson leads 51.8% to Mr Adams 48.2% - a swing of 14.1% away from Labor.

BRADDON

74 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley leads on 46.4% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 37.9% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 4.8%.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Whiteley (52.9%) leads Mr Sidebottom (47.1%) a swing of 10.4% away from Labor.

DENISON

46 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie leads primary counting with 38.2% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 25.3% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 22.5%.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Wilkie (64.5%) leads Ms Austin on 35.5% - a swing of 13.3% away from Labor.

FRANKLIN

50 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black is again trailing (38.4%)  Labor's Julie Collins on 40.2%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 12.2%. 

In a tight, two-party preferred battle, Ms Collins (54.8%) leads Ms Black (45.2%) despite a swing of 6% away from Labor.

9.15PM UPDATE

BASS

50 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 47.4% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 35%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 7.8% of the vote.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Nikolic lads 53.6% to Mr Lyons 46.4% - a swing of 10.3% away from Labor.

LYONS

89 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 44.7% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 36.8% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 8.1%

On a two-part preferred basis, Mr Hutchinson leads 51.6% to Mr Adams 48.4% - a swing of 13.9% away from Labor.

BRADDON

72 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley leads on 46.5% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 37.6% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 4.9%.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Whiteley (53%) leads Mr Sidebottom (47%) a swing of 10.5% away from Labor.

DENISON

46 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie leads primary counting with 38.2% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 25.3% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 22.5%.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Wilkie (64.5%) leads Ms Austin on 35.5% - a swing of 13.3% away from Labor.

FRANKLIN

50 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black is again trailing (38.4%)  Labor's Julie Collins on 40.2%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 12.2%. 

In a tight, two-party preferred battle, Ms Collins (54.8%) leads Ms Black (45.2%) despite a swing of 6% away from Labor.

9PM UPDATE

BASS

48 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 46.4% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 35.9%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 7.6% of the vote.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Nikolic leads 53.5% to Mr Lyons 46.4% - a swing of 10.3% away from Labor.

LYONS

87 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 44.6% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 36.8% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 8.1%

On a two-part preferred basis, Mr Hutchinson leads 51.7% to Mr Adams 48.3% - a swing of 14% away from Labor.

BRADDON

72 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley leads on 46.5% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 37.6% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 4.9%.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Whiteley (53%) leads Mr Sidebottom (47%) a swing of 10.5% away from Labor.

DENISON

46 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie leads primary counting with 38.2% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 25.3% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 22.5%.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Wilkie (64.5%) leads Ms Austin on 35.5% - a swing of 13.3% away from Labor.

FRANKLIN

49 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black is again trailing (38.4%)  Labor's Julie Collins on 40.3%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 12.3%. 

In a tight, two-party preferred battle, Ms Collins (54.7%) leads Ms Black (45.3%) despite a swing of 6% away from Labor.

8.45PM: BREAKING NEWS

Report by Jodie Stephens, covering Braddon.

An emotional but restrained Sid Sidebottom has congratulated Liberal candidate Brett Whiteley on winning Braddon.

Speaking at his Forth home, Mr Sidebottom said he was disappointed for himself, and his supporters.

"I congratulate Brett and the Liberal Party, they're going to form government,'' Mr Sidebottom said.

"I've been really privileged to be the federal member for Braddon on a number of occasions and I've been going to 15 years, and I can't think of a better area to represent.

"I hope now with the result that the people have voted for, that we get on with being positive about our region, tackle those issues we need to tackle and look positively for the future."

8.43PM:

BASS

48 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 46.4% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 35.9%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 7.6% of the vote. GEOFF LYONS HAS CONCEDED.

LYONS

80 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 44.2% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 37.2% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 8.1%

BRADDON

72 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley leads on 46.5% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 37.6% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 4.9%.

DENISON

45 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie leads primary counting with 38.4% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 24.9% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 22.6%. ANDREW WILKIE HAS CLAIMED VICTORY.

FRANKLIN

49 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black is again trailing (38.4%)  Labor's Julie Collins on 40.3%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 12.2%. 

8.32PM: BREAKING NEWS

Alison Andrews has just reported that Bass MHR Geoff Lyons has conceded.  It is understood that Mr Lyons telephoned his opponent Andrew Nikolic about 10 minutes ago to congratulate him.

Also, Calla Wahlquist is reporting that Independent MHR Andrew Wilkie has claimed victory.

8.30PM UPDATE

Reporter Matt Maloney, covering Lyons, reports.

Lyons candidates Dick Adams (Labor) and Eric Hutchinson (Liberal) are reluctant to call the election yet despite the count showing a 12 per cent swing towards the Coalition in the election.

Mr Adams, who has held the seat for 20 years, said he will not concede defeat until the end, adding he had not planned for a life after politics.

Mr Hutchinson, who lost to the Labor incumbent in the 2010 election, was hesitant to call victory despite achieving 44.3 per cent of the primary vote to Mr Adams's 37 per cent with 62 per cent of the votes counted. 

8.30PM: BASS

46 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 46.8% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 35.6%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 7.7% of the vote.

LYONS

77 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 44.3% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 37% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 8.1%

BRADDON

70 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley holds a sizeable lead on 46.5% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 37.7% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 4.9%.

DENISON

42 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie early lead with 38.5% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 25.1% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 21.8%. 

FRANKLIN

45 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black is again trailing (39%) m Labor's Julie Collins on 40.5%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 11%. 

8.23PM

Our reporter Alison Andrews, covering Bass, reports.

Supporters of Bass Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic already have him across the line, but the cautious former army brigadier says that it was still too early to get excited. His wife Christine and children Amanda and Matthew are with him at their party HQ in Launceston. His eldest daughter Julia, an army lieutenant serving in Afghanistan, has had to make do with Skype to keep in touch with the latest results.

8.15PM

Our reporter Jodie Stephens, on the North-West Coast.

About 30 supporters of Braddon Liberal candidate Brett Whiteley are gathered at the Wellers Inn at Burnie, quietly watching television. Mr Whiteley is yet to arrive. He is holding a comfortable lead with 46.89% of the vote, with Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 37.59%.

UPDATE 8PM

Report by Calla Wahlquist, in Hobart.

Australian Labor Party state secretary John Dowling has admitted Labor will not win Denison, but was less willing to give up on other seats.

Labor's candidate in Denison, Jane Austin, could not yet be reached.

Mr Dowling said it was still possible the party could recover votes in Braddon and Bass, noting that pro-Labor booths in New Norfolk and Dodges Ferry were yet to be counted.

He said it would be "very difficult" in Bass but said it was for incumbent Geoff Lyons to make a formal declaration.

UPDATE 7.50PM

Report by Rosemary Bolger, The Examiner's chief political reporter.

Labor is set to lose three of its four seats in Tasmania with Franklin's Julie Collins the only Labor MHR to survive the massive swing against the government. 

The Liberals will win in Bass, Braddon and Lyons and incumbent independent Andrew Wilkie is on track to retain Denison. 

With more than a fifth of the vote counted in Tasmania, there has been a swing of 11 per cent towards the Liberal Party. 

The Greens primary vote has halved. 

Picture: Andrew Nikolic with his party faithful in Launceston. Photo: Paul Scambler

7.45PM: BASS

36 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 46.6% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 34.9%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 8.7% of the vote.

LYONS

59 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 45.8% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 35.4% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 8.7%

BRADDON

50 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley holds a sizable lead on 50% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 34.3% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 5%.

DENISON

29 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie early lead with 39.3% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 23.6% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 22.2%. 

FRANKLIN

30 of 53 polling places returned. Labor's Julie Collins is now leading the first-preference count on 39.2% of the vote, from Liberals Bernadette Black (38.9%). The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 13%. 

7.40PM: 

Our reporter Calla Wahlquist, who is covering the seat of Denison, reports:

Supporters of Denison independent MHR Andrew Wilkie are gathered at the Shipwright Arms in Hobart. Mr Wilkie appears set to keep the seat he won on preferences in 2010, with an early count of 26.65 per cent of the vote giving him a 16.64 per cent swing in the two party preferred. He has already gained 40.5 per cent of the primary vote, compared to 21.26 per cent in 2010. Mr Wilkie has been campaigning in Glenorchy today and is yet to make an appearance.

7.35PM: BASS

29 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 47.7% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 33.3%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 9.7% of the vote.

LYONS

57 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 45.7% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 35.4% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 8.7%

BRADDON

45 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley holds a sizeable lead on 51.6% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 32.9% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 5%.

DENISON

22 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie early lead with 40.5% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 21.6% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 22.4%. 

FRANKLIN

27 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black (40.2%) holds a narrow lead over Labor sitting member Julie Collins on 37.8%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 13.4%.

7.27PM:

Our reporter Alison Andrews at Lucy Landon-Lane's headquarters tonight at the Invermay Bowls Club: Ms Landon-Lane said she was already satisfied with the result. Her hope was she would pull 10% of the vote - at 7.30pm she was sitting on 10.2%.

Liberal candidate Eric Hutchinson is set to pick up the seat of Lyons with a 15 per cent swing away from Lyons incumbent Dick Adams. On a two-party preferred basis, Hutchinson leads 52.2% to Adams no 47.8% - a swing of 14.5%.

7.22PM: BASS

23 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 47.9% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 32.9%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 10.2% of the vote.

LYONS

42 of 96 polling places returns. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 45.6% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 35% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 9%

BRADDON

40 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley holds a sizeable lead on 51.3% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 32% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 5.7%.

DENISON

16 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie early lead with 40.9% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 24% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 24.1%. 

FRANKLIN

20 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black (40%) holds a narrow lead over Labor sitting member Julie Collins on 37.8%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling 13%.

7.09PM: BASS

12 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 52.4% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 30.9%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 8% of the vote.

LYONS

23 of 96 polling places returned. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 48.5% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 31.8% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 10.3%

BRADDON

30 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley holds a sizeable lead on 53.5% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 30.1% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 5.8%.

7.04PM: FRANKLIN

7 of 53 polling places returned. Liberals Bernadette Black (41.7%) holds a narrow lead over Labor sitting member Julie Collins on 35.6%. The Greens Rosalie Woodruff is polling well with 14.7%.

7.03PM: DENISON

5 of 50 polling places returned. Independent Andrew Wilkie early lead with 37.5% of the vote counted, from Labor's Jane Austin on 25.2% and Tanya Denison (Liberals) on 26.3%.

7.00PM: Our reporter Ben McKay in Hobart:

With more than 17,000 votes in from across the state, it's clear the swing against Labor is on in a big way. Labor has suffered a huge collapse, losing 11.5 per cent of their primary vote.

If this continues, Geoff Lyons, Sid Sidebottom will need new jobs, while Dick Adams and Julie Collins will have a rough night. 

6.55PM: BASS - 8 of the 54 polling places returned. Liberal candidate Andrew Nikolic leading with 50.8% of the primary votes, from incumbent Geoff Lyons (Labor) with 31.7%. The Greens Lucy Landon-Lane has 8.8% of the vote.

6,55PM: LYONS - 15 of 96 polling places returned. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 49.8% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 30.3% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 11.1%

6.50pm: BRADDON - 11 of 79 polling places returns. Liberals Brett Whiteley holds a comfortable lead on 54.7% of the vote, from Labor's sitting member Sid Sidebottom on 26.4% and the Greens Melissa Houghton on 7.9%

6.45PM: LYONS - 11 of 96 polling places returned. Liberals Eric Hutchinson leads with 50% of the primaries counted, from Labor's Dick Adams with 32.7% and Pip Brinklow of the Greens on 9.1%

6.35PM: AEC results in VERY early for Lyons and Braddon - still very early though.  In Braddon, Whiteley (Liberal) has 58% of the vote.  In Lyons, the Liberals Eric Hutchinson has 54.5% of the vote.

6.00PM: Rosemary Bolger reports: Voting has now closed across the country and counting has begun.

The Australian Electoral Commission state manager Sandra Riordan said the big day had gone smoothly, although the big Senate ballot paper had contributed to long waits at more popular booths.

''A few of the booths in Hobart and Launceston had 20 minute waits,'' Ms Riordan said.  

The national result should be known by about 7.30pm but it may take longer to determine the result in more closely-contested seats.  

5.55pm: Our journalist Ben McKay reports that a Galaxy/Channel 9 poll  is indicating an 11.7% swing against the ALP in Tasmania - the biggest swing of all states in the country. If that's a uniform swing across the state, all four Labor MHR's will lose their seat tonight, Ben says.

The national result should be known by about 7.30pm but it may take longer to determine the result in more closely-contested seats.