New parties and independents to contest Tasmanian elections

By Ben Courtice HOBART — As Tasmanians prepare to go to the polls on February 24, it is looking more likely that no party will receive an outright majority. Polling indicates that the Greens are likely to gain one or two seats on top of their current five, and that none of the three parliamentary parties are likely to hold the 18 seats necessary to form government in their own right. This is similar to the 1989 elections, after which Labor decided to form a minority government with the Greens. However, this time around Labor is completely opposed to any accord with the Greens. If it does not win an outright majority, Labor has said that it will advise the governor to call a second election. The Liberals had a similar position until Premier Ray Groom announced that the party would be prepared to govern as a minority if a motion of confidence was passed by the house. This may happen, since the Greens are completely opposed to a second election. Rather, they would allow a government to form from the party with the most seats. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry would prefer a second poll in the event of a hung parliament. Chief executives from the TCCI and Trust Bank advised voters to elect a majority Liberal or Labor government the first time around. This message was prompted by the possibility of the Greens having a greater influence in parliament. The Greens have indicated that, unlike the Labor-Green accord, they would use their numbers in parliament to force changes to the state budget, especially to education. The increase in the number of new parties and independents is indicative of the electorate's dissatisfaction with the two major parties. Former ALP Senator John Devereaux and (former ALP member) Austra Maddox, secretary of the Tasmanian CPSU, are running as independents in the electorates of Franklin and Denison. One of their electoral slogans is: "Green by conviction, Labor at heart". Hobart Alderman Jeff Briscoe is running in Denison as a Green Independent. In protest against the 1993 pay rise that Tasmanian politicians voted themselves, the 40% Extra Greedy Grab party will also be running candidates. While not fielding candidates in the state election, the Democratic Socialists are standing Sarah Stephen in Denison in the federal election. Meanwhile the Tasmanian Council of Social Services has released a report, "A future For All". Billed as "a direct challenge to the three major parties", the report aims to "stimulate debate around the issues of poverty and the circumstances of society's battlers".