Tasmanian Election 2025: Woodruff’s Tally Room Address

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The 2025 Tasmanian state election, held on July 19, resulted in a hung parliament, with the Liberal Party securing the most seats but falling short of a majority. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff, in her Tally Room speech at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart, called for collaboration to address Tasmania’s challenges, urging unity among elected officials. Her address highlighted the Greens’ commitment to environmental and social issues while pressing Labor to negotiate, reflecting the state’s complex political landscape.

Woodruff began her speech with an acknowledgment of country, recognizing Tasmania’s Palawa Pakana people and their historical dispossession. She emphasized the Greens’ commitment to a treaty and land rights, framing it as a moral necessity. While her focus on Indigenous issues resonated with supporters, her remarks on international conflicts, including Palestine, drew criticism from some observers. Social media posts on X labeled her stance as divisive, with @WorldOfMarkyD accusing her of supporting “unhinged extremists” for her comments alongside keffiyeh-wearing supporters.

The Greens leader celebrated her party’s retention of five seats in the House of Assembly, which uses the Hare-Clark proportional representation system to elect 35 members across five electorates. Woodruff praised her team—Cecily Rosol, Tabatha Badger, Vica Bayley, and Helen Burnet—and thanked volunteers for their grassroots efforts in a grueling midwinter campaign. “Things are looking good for the Greens,” she declared, noting their strong showing despite the snap election’s challenges. Her optimism was echoed by @WINNews_Tas, who quoted her saying Tasmanians were “crying out for change.”

Woodruff took aim at Labor leader Dean Winter, criticizing his refusal to negotiate with the Greens after his no-confidence motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff triggered the election. “Tasmanians have chosen the next parliament. This conversation needs to be had,” she said, highlighting shared values between the Greens and Labor. However, with the Liberal Party projected to secure 14 seats compared to Labor’s 10, Rockliff is poised to seek a recommission from Governor Barbara Baker, pending crossbench support.

As Tasmania faces another hung parliament, Woodruff’s speech underscored the need for pragmatic governance. Her call for collaboration, while idealistic, faces hurdles in a polarized political climate. The coming weeks will test whether her vision for unity can bridge Tasmania’s divides.