Tasmania Votes: Key Battles in Rosevears and Huon
The full distribution of preferences will likely determine the results in both divisions, with postal votes still outstanding.
Voters in two Tasmanian Legislative Council divisions, Rosevears and Huon, went to the polls yesterday. The outcomes remain uncertain, as many votes are yet to be counted.
Rosevears
Education Minister Jo Palmer holds a lead with 42.6% of first preference votes counted. Labor candidate Ben McKinnon has nearly 25%, followed by Greens candidate Charlene McLennan and Independent Susan Monson.
With the incumbent well ahead but short of an outright majority, preferences will be crucial.
Huon
Incumbent Independent MLC Dean Harriss leads with 30.6% of votes. Kingborough Council Deputy Mayor Clare Glade-Wright, also an independent, follows closely with 27.9%. This sets up a tight race between two independent candidates.
Vote Counting & Context
Tasmanian Electoral Commission communications manager Glenn Jeffrey stated that the full distribution of preferences will likely determine the results, and postal votes must be returned within 10 days.
The Legislative Council is the upper house of the Tasmanian parliament, with members elected for six-year terms on a rotating basis.
Independents currently hold eight of 15 seats, with the government and Labor each holding three, and the Greens one.