Australians continue to re-elect incumbent governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Liberal Party claiming victory in Tasmania.
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Counting has resumed, with the government confident of claiming a 13th seat to deliver it a majority in the state's 25-member lower house.
Incumbent governments have been returned at all five state and territory elections since coronavirus changed the world early last year.
WA Labor won in a stunning landslide, joining the ALP in Queensland, the Northern Territory and ACT in being re-elected during the coronavirus era.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said on Saturday night he was confident of winning outright, saving him from his own pledge to quit if his government failed to claim a majority.
"Whilst we have won this election convincingly, it appears increasingly likely that we will also govern in majority," he told the tally room in Hobart.
Either way, the Liberals have won a third-straight term for the first time.
The premier called the election a year ahead of schedule in a bid to capitalise on high approval ratings stemming from coronavirus management.
The government also campaigned on economic success while Labor ran heavily on health and housing.
Mr Gutwein thanked Tasmanians for working with the government to safeguard the island state.
"We turned Tasmania into one of the safest places in this country and without doubt, one of the safest places on this planet," he said.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White conceded defeat but didn't comment on her future after leading Labor to a second defeat.
"All around the country we have seen incumbent governments rewarded for their management of COVID-19," she said.
Four seats remain in doubt with Labor clinching at least seven and the Greens sitting on two.
The Hobart electorate of Clark shapes 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.
Mr Gutwein sent voters to the polls after Ms Hickey quit the Liberals, plunging the government into minority.
The Greens picked up a healthy swing to ensure leader Cassy O'Connor and colleague Rosalie Woodruff will be re-elected.
Tasmania's Hare-Clark electoral system elects five MPs in each of its five electorates and makes it difficult to achieve landslides.
It could also be a number of days until postal votes are counted and preferences distributed to finalise the necessary quotas.
Australian Associated Press
