Tasmania's premier, the leader of the only Liberal government in Australia, says he feels an extraordinary responsibility as the standard-bearer for his party nationwide.
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Jeremy Rockliff used an address to the party faithful in Hobart on Saturday to speak about Liberal values, energy bill relief for Tasmanians and to reiterate he would not call an early state election.
The speech was delivered in the absence of federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton.
Mr Rockliff, considered a moderate Liberal, earlier denied Mr Dutton's non-attendance was due to the pair's differing stance on the referendum on an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Mr Rockliff supports the 'yes' vote but the federal leader is on the 'no' side.
The Liberals have governed in minority in Tasmania since mid-May when two MPs quit and moved to the crossbench citing transparency concerns about the state's deal for a proposed new stadium in Hobart.
Mr Rockliff again said he intended to see out the remaining 18 months of his term and told the party's state council he would not call an early election.
He said he understood the "extraordinary responsibility" he and his government held as the "standard-bearers of Liberals in this nation"
"(And) to demonstrate, in practice, how Liberal governments are always the best choice," he said.
"And to do so while upholding our Liberal values. Aspiration, and reward for effort. Individual freedom, freedom of speech, and choice. Personal responsibility. Lower taxes."
Mr Rockliff conceded the government's plan for a contentious $715 million stadium at Macquarie Point was not everyone's cup of tea.
Construction of the stadium at the waterfront site is a condition for the AFL granting Tasmania the licence for a team.
Mr Rockliff said legislation to progress the assessment process required for the project would be debated in parliament next week.
He also said that under a state energy scheme, 50 per cent of any profit over $100 million generated by provider Hydro Tasmania would be spent on bill relief with the remainder going towards essential services.
"Tasmanians could expect a saving of around $100 off their power bill for that year if Hydro delivered a dividend of around $160 million," he said.
The state government on Friday revealed the long-awaited Marinus Link project was in financial limbo after a cost blowout.
The Bass Strait undersea electricity interconnector was meant to cost up to $3.8 billion but has been subject to a "material and significant cost increase".
Prominent Catholic executive Michael McKenna was elected as state Liberal president.
Australian Associated Press
