Flanked by wife Amanda and children Millie and Finn, Premier Peter Gutwein took to the stage in the tally room at Hobart's Grand Chancellor Hotel about 10.40pm on Saturday night to deliver what was, for all intents and purposes, a victory speech.
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"What a night," he said. "And whilst we have won this election convincingly, it appears increasingly likely that we will also govern in majority."
"And whilst obviously there's some counting to be done, it would be an absolute honour and a privilege to be given that opportunity by the Tasmanian people."
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Mr Gutwein said he had never felt more positive about Tasmania's future than he felt now.
"I've never been more certain that our state's best days are in front of us," he said.
"Thank you Tasmania for the trust and faith that you've placed in me and the Liberal Party.
"We will govern for all Tasmanians, regardless of who you are, regardless of where you live, regardless of your circumstance or background."
In her speech, Labor leader Rebecca White conceded that Labor couldn't form government, but her words doubled as a rallying cry to the party faithful.
"A short time ago I rang Peter Gutwein to congratulate him on his re-election and his impressive personal result," she said. "All around the country we've seen incumbent governments rewarded for their management of COVID-19, and there is no doubt that Peter Gutwein and our public health officials kept our community safe."
"It is so important that the government listens to the concerns that have been raised throughout the course of this campaign.
"I hope this campaign has been a wake-up call for the Liberals that Tasmanians will not tolerate business-as-usual from the Liberal government.
We will govern for all Tasmanians, regardless of who you are, regardless of where you live, regardless of your circumstance or background.
- Peter Gutwein, Premier
"Just because we have fallen short of forming government at this election does not mean that we will stop fighting to make Tasmania a better and a fairer place."
Ms White did not say whether she would be standing down as leader.
Greens leader Cassy O'Connor gave a lengthy address of her own, celebrating an impressive statewide swing to her party.
"We're back," she said. "The Greens are back in town."
"We'll be your voice for a greener, fairer Tasmania, a better democracy."
Ms O'Connor said she had a message for the two major parties.
"Stop trying to destroy the joint," she said. "Be part of creating a better, fairer future."
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Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
