Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The journalists have helpfully distilled the reactions of key parties that contested the election. In essence, the Liberals have knuckled down to work immediately. Labor is blaming the Greens and pondering their leadership. The Greens are blaming Labor and pondering their leadership. And the Palmer United Party are blaming the media and seemed to be settled on their leadership.

In my seat of Bass, Liberal candidates won over 57 per cent of the primary vote and are on track to win at least three of five seats. The Tasmanian Greens are at risk of losing at least two of their five seats and possibly a third. This reflects an absolute repudiation of Greens policies and their disproportionate influence on Tasmania's future. Yet, standing astride the wreckage of his party, the Greens' leader is out today talking up his leadership prospects. My advice to him is: focus less on the trappings of leader and more on why the people rejected your policies.

We now have a majority Hodgman government in Tasmania that has a clear mandate: restore Tasmania's economic fortunes. That includes a welcome outbreak of common sense in relation to forestry policy. The coalition will work constructively with the Hodgman government to restore a brighter future for our state to ensure that the next four years start to redress the damage caused by 16 years of hard Labor.

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