Labor leader Rebecca White has conceded defeat in the Tasmanian election tonight.
In conceding defeat during an address to the tally room, White admitted it was clear tonight that we have fallen short of our goal to win a majority Labor government . A short time ago, I rang Peter Gutwein to congratulate him on his re-election and his impressive personal result, the Opposition Leader said in her speech.
Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White concedes defeat in Tas election(ABC) All around the country we have 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 and tonight s result reflects that.
Labor leader Rebecca White said the election result reflects the trend of Australian voters favouring incumbent governments for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polls have closed in Tasmania as the state decides whether sitting Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein will lead the state for another term, or if Rebecca White has pulled enough votes to take Labor to an unlikely victory.
Calling an election a year ahead of schedule, Mr Gutwein hopes he will be able to cash in on the pandemic-driven success other state premiers have enjoyed had at the ballot box, while Ms White aims for an odds-defying win, or to at least to plunge the Liberals into minority.
If Mr Gutwein is successful in securing a third term, it will be a record-breaking night for the Tasmanian Liberal Party, marking the first time a Liberal government has won three consecutive elections.
Rebecca White tight-lipped on remaining Labor leader if unsuccessful at Tasmania election01/05/2021|5min
Tasmania s Opposition Leader Rebecca White has remained tight-lipped on whether she will remain the leader of the Labor Party if unsuccessful for a second time at the state election on Saturday. I m campaigning to win. My focus is on winning. I m not contemplating what happens. except a Labor victory, she said.
Ms White, along with Premier Peter Gutwein, refused to lead in a minority government.
Meanwhile, Mr Gutwein has been buoyed by the popularity of his strong COVID-19 policies, Tasmania being the first state to close borders when the pandemic reached Australia, prompting the premier to call a snap election 12 months early.