Mandate for change, say Tasmanian Libs

Will Hodgman has declared he begins his new job as Tasmania's premier with a mandate for change.

Mr Hodgman's Liberals swept to power in Saturday's poll, claiming well over half the vote and a clear majority in the 25-seat lower house.

The premier-elect made it clear in his election night speech he intended taking the state in a new direction as it faces the nation's highest unemployment and a deteriorating budget position.

"We have the mandate for change," Mr Hodgman said.

"We will confront those issues head-on."

The Liberals ended 16 years of Labor rule, the last four in an alliance with the Greens.

Mr Hodgman campaigned on a promise that majority government would deliver more business confidence in the struggling state.

"We intend to make a difference and we will make a difference," he told supporters at Hobart's Wrest Point tally room.

The Liberals increased their seats to at least 14, while Labor had won six and the Greens two.

Three remained in doubt.

A 14 per cent swing to the opposition cut the ALP's seats from 10 and the Greens from five, and the balance of power.

The Liberals have promised 500 fewer public service positions and savings of $500 million to tackle the state's economic malaise.

Analysts say more will need to be done to address Tasmania's problems.

Mr Hodgman singled out forestry as an industry he would bolster in his speech, but Labor and the Greens both urged him not to undo the precarious peace deal between environmentalists and the timber industry.

Outgoing premier Lara Giddings is yet to indicate whether she will seek to continue as Labor leader, but rival David O'Byrne looks likely to lose his seat.

The Greens suffered a swing of more than eight per cent against the party, while the Palmer United Party polled five per cent.