Back then Ray Groom’s majority government struck trouble, partly over feuding between Mr Groom and his former boss Robin Gray.

As well, the former government scored spectacular own-goals, with the infamous 40 per cent pay rise for state politicians during a recession, and an ill-fated attempt to sell a power station to a major company, Comalco at Bell Bay. 

The government also tried to introduce a new fixed power tariff called the network charge, which angered most interest groups. 

In 1997 Tony Rundle’s minority government tried to reshape the economy with measures such as a sale of the energy utilities and a reduction in the number of councils.

Voters savaged the Liberals at the polls. 

Tasmanians played safe with Labor over the next 16 years while the Liberals dithered over a credible alternative.

As a consequence of this history, Will Hodgman’s government seems determined to take the style of government back to the 1950s, where people were comfortable with minimal change, even if radical change was for the better.

The attractiveness of this style is evident in the government’s reluctance yesterday to back forced council amalgamation.

They are no doubt painfully aware of the Abbott government’s nightmare with budget reform. 

The first Liberal state budget in 16 years was forgettable in the wider economy.

It may have incensed unions but most Tasmanians think our public sector is too big for our size. 

So the tough measures needed to turn Tasmania around may never happen under this government.

The Liberals have the time, the majority and the community goodwill to achieve what Tony Rundle was powerless to achieve in 1997, in a hung Parliament and despite his best efforts.

The unanswered question is: do they have the courage?