Mr Hodgman said he would be making comment “as soon as he is able.” His meeting with Governor Peter Underwood lasted 20 minutes.

It is understood he provided the Governor with a written letter outlining why he believed his party could deliver stable government. Caretaker Premier David Bartlett earlier emerged from a brief meeting with Mr Underwood and said he had given the Governor written advice in keeping with his promise to the Tasmanian people to hand government to the Liberal Party in the event it won a greater proportion of the statewide vote.

Governor Underwood called Mr Hodgman to a meeting at 2.45pm.  Mr Bartlett this morning hinted the state will have a new Premier by the end of the day. Mr Bartlett spoke at the declaration of the poll ceremony for Denison.  He started by paying tribute to retired Liberal rival Michael Hodgman as “an undisputed gentleman who will be missed by the electorate”.  Mr Bartlett indicated that the veteran Liberal would soon get his wish to see his son Will as premier of Tasmania. “As certain as one can be, at the end of the day there will be something for you to celebrate,” Mr Bartlett said.  However, no new leader can be announced until after the election writs have been handed to the Governor  – expected sometime this afternoon, possibly as soon as 2pm. Greens MP Cassy O’Connor implored her colleagues to co-operate constructively in the new parliament, in which no one party has a majority.

Newly elected Tasmanian Greens MHA Paul O’Halloran extended a co-operative hand to his Liberal counterparts at the declaration of the pools in Braddon.   Mr O’Halloran said he and Liberal Jeremy Rockliff agreed on most political fronts. “On almost all things we agree and I look forward to working with him,” Mr O’Halloran said.

Mr Rockliff said he would push for Braddon to receive services which reflected the wealth it created for the State during his next term.

He congratulated Labor MHA Bryan Green for capturing the confidence of the electorate after a tough term, which included a demotion from Deputy Premier to backbencher.  Mr Green said his re-election meant a lot on a personal level.

High-profile candidate and newly elected member Adam Brooks said he was Liberal’s new kid on the block and he would take on whatever role Will Hodgman gave him with gusto.

Returned Labor MHA Brenton Best did not attend the declaration of the polls ceremony.