Tasmania’s speaker is set to resign ahead of expected snap election following no confidence motion against Premier

The Tasmanian speaker and Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne is set to resign ahead of the next state election, which is expected to be called later today.

Ms O’Byrne gave a speech to parliament on Tuesday morning announcing her decision.

“So today it ends for me, but strangely. I do not leave this House disendorsed or defeated because it is actually the right time for me to go,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“I believe passionately in the need for government and parliament to work.

“I want to take this opportunity to remind you all that it is not enough to say that you want minority Government or indeed majority government to work.

“You must be mature enough to make it work.”

Ms O’Byrne was the deciding vote in vote of no-confidence against Premier Jeremy Rockliff last week, which passed the parliament 18-17 after two days of debate.

Making her vote last week she said that she “reflected not only on my appointment as Speaker, but my continuing future in this House, and I will have more to say about that in coming days”.

The second Tasmanian election in 15 months is expected to be called on Tuesday

On Tuesday, parliament will meet and pass emergency legislation so public servants receive their wages during and after an election.

The bills must be passed before an election can be called.

Unless Mr Rockliff is replaced as Liberal leader, or Labor forms a minority government – an idea Labor leader Dean Winter has rejected – Tasmanians will return to the polls in coming weeks for the fourth time in seven years.

Key issues which led to the no confidence vote last week are the mammoth bill for a new stadium to house a new AFL team, continually delayed upgrades to the mainland ferry service, and the state’s struggling economy.

On Tuesday, Mr Rockliff is expected to visit the state’s Governor, Barbara Baker, and ask her to call an election.

Ms Baker can theoretically tell the Premier to return to his party room and see if there’s another person who could become leader.

Labor leader Dean Winter could in theory form a minority government, but he has ruled that out, despite indications from the Greens they were willing to form a minority government with Labor.

However the most likely outcome is parliament will be dissolved and an election date will be set.

Tasmanians were thrust into an early state election in March 2024, as Mr Rockliff attempted to regain a majority Liberal government.

The previous Liberal leader, Peter Gutwein, called a snap election in 2021 – a year ahead of schedule as well.

More to come