The Liberal Party has won a historic third term in Tasmania, though it is yet to be confirmed if it will govern in majority.
With around 70 per cent of the vote counted at midnight on Sunday, the Liberals had at least 12 seats, one short of a majority in Tasmania’s 25-member lower house.
Labor had seven seats, the Greens two and four were still in doubt.
In Tasmania's Hare-Clark voting system, there are five electorates and five candidates are voted to each electorate. The proportional representation model makes it difficult for governments to achieve landslides.
Labor leader Rebecca White conceded defeat just before 10pm on Saturday, congratulating the Liberals for achieving a strong result.
Shortly afterwards, incumbent Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein said his team had won "convincingly".
"It appears increasingly likely that we will also govern in majority," he said at the tally room in Hobart.
During the election campaign, the Liberals focused on Mr Gutwein's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, while Labor campaigned on the state's struggling health system and affordable housing shortage.
During his speech on Saturday night, Mr Gutwein reflected on the tough decisions he has had to make during the pandemic.
"Tasmanians regardless of religion, of race, of politics, circumstance or background held out their hands to each in the most extraordinary display of common humanity that I have ever witnessed," he said.
"And I want to say to Tasmanians thank you for that, because in doing so, we turned Tasmania into one of the safest places in this country and one of the safest places on this planet."
Both Mr Gutwein and Ms White had promised to resign from leadership if the election delivered them a minority.
The Hobart electorate of Clark is shaping up as the crucial race, with independents Kristie Johnston and Sue Hickey both polling strongly.
Victory in one of the two in-doubt Clark seats could deliver the Liberals a majority, while independent success could give rise to a kingmaker.
Ms White said although Labor fell short of winning a majority government, the Liberals were deserving of victory.
Labor leader Rebecca White said the party will continue to advocate on policies to improve infrastructure and health services. Source: SBS News/Sarah Maunder
"All around the country we've seen incumbent governments rewarded for their management of COVID-19 and there is no doubt that Peter Gutwein and our public health officials kept our community safe and tonight's result reflects that," she said.
Greens leader Cassy O' Connor declared the party “back in town” after it retained two seats and picked up a healthy swing.
