Tasmania January to June 2017

With less than a year before the next state election due in March 2018, the Liberal government’s confidence in maintaining its large majority diminished. Although not without missteps, the government continued to appear competent and the economy continued to improve. Yet the Labor party’s renaissance was evident. Labor made a further gain in the Legislative Council, while importantly changing parliamentary leadership to a young rising star who was much more of a challenge to premier Hodgman than her predecessor. Social media campaigns using the Facebook platform became increasingly significant for several issues during the six-month period. Social media campaigns focusing on several key issues became an increasingly significant feature of Tasmanian politics over the period.