Liberals on brink of minority government in Tasmania

Adrian Black | May 12, 2023

The last Liberal state in Australia could be thrown into minority government as two MPs plan to quit amid concerns over building an AFL stadium in Hobart.

Bass MP Lara Alexander and Lyons MP John Tucker are expected to resign from the Liberal Party to sit as independents on Friday morning.

Both have aired concerns about the planned $715 million Macquarie Point Stadium, with Mr Tucker also taking issue with the Marinus Link transmission project.

The resignations would up-end the Tasmanian Liberals’ tight majority, leaving Premier Jeremy Rockliff to lead a government with 11 out of 25 seats in the House of Assembly.

The building of a new stadium in Hobart – a condition of the AFL awarding Tasmania a team licence – has been a contentious issue as the city struggles with a housing crisis.

A press conference is expected late on Friday morning.