Premier Will Hodgman has confirmed he intends to remain leader of the Tasmanian Liberals if the government falls at the state election, which would break long-standing conventions around stepping aside in the wake of defeat.
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Mr Hodgman took to Twitter on Thursday morning to quash speculation that he would willingly relinquish the Liberal leadership should electors return a hung parliament or even throw the Liberals out entirely.
In 1996, then Liberal Premier Ray Groom made way for Liberal MHA Tony Rundle, after a hung parliament resulted from that year’s election.
Former Labor Premier Lara Giddings also stepped down from the leadership after the party’s sound defeat at the 2014 state election, with Bryan Green filling her shoes as leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party.
But Mr Hodgman claims he would remain leader of the party no matter what happened at the election.
“Tasmanians know I am committed and I don’t quit,” he wrote.
Mr Hodgman said he could give a “100 per cent, unconditional” guarantee that he would stay on as Liberal Leader.
He has said the Liberals will govern in majority “or not at all”.
The Premier’s latest comments come after Greens leader Cassy O’Connor called on him to give Tasmanians “a straight answer” regarding the leadership.