Australia’s last Liberal government has pulled the trigger for an early election after the premier failed to resolve a stand-off with two cross bench independents.

Tasmania’s Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday said he would ask the governor to call an election.

The island state’s Liberals have governed in minority since May 2023, when John Tucker and Lara Alexander left the party to sit as independents.

“The parliamentary Liberal Party this afternoon met to discuss the failure of former Liberal MPs John Tucker and Lara Alexander to commit to a new, enduring confidence and supply agreement,” Rockliff said in a statement on Tuesday.

“It was unanimously agreed that in the light of this, it was appropriate for me to request the governor to call a general election.

Tweet from @jeremyrockliff

“The only way to restore the stability and certainty Tasmanians need is to re-elect a majority Liberal government.”

Rockliff on February 2 threatened an early election if Tucker and Alexander didn’t sign up to a deal that would have restricted their ability to vote for opposition bills and amendments.

The pair, which has provided votes of confidence of supply to prop up the government, said the preference was to continue with an original agreement.

The next Tasmanian election wasn’t due to be held until mid-2025.

-AAP