Overview

• Premier Jeremy Rockliff called the snap election for July 19 after losing a confidence vote in early June, and Governor Barbara Baker approved the dissolution of parliament
• Recent voter surveys show Labor at about 34%, Liberals at 31% and independents or minor parties at 18%, short of the 18 seats needed for a majority
• The Tasmanian Nationals have confirmed they will not enter any coalition or supply agreement with the Liberals before the election
• A record number of independents and minor party candidates are contesting the poll, with five crossbench MPs now holding decisive sway following two expulsions from the Jacqui Lambie Network
• Post-election negotiations will focus on managing mounting debt—forecast to approach $11 billion by 2029—successive budget deficits and the controversial $945 million Macquarie Point AFL stadium project