A Liberal premier has distanced himself from Peter Dutton after the federal coalition's election thumping and voiced his admiration for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Labor took two seats, Bass and Braddon, from the Liberals in Tasmania and retained ultra-marginal Lyons with a 10 per cent swing.
Former state Labor leader Rebecca White, who claimed Lyons, has said Mr Dutton's lack of popularity was evident on the campaign trail.
Tasmania's Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockliff was asked by state Labor leader Dean Winter whether he took any responsibility for his party's poor federal showing.
The state Liberals, who govern in minority, have been under pressure over cost blowouts to a planned AFL stadium and the botched delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries.
Mr Rockliff's plan to reduce the state's public service was similar to Mr Dutton's pledge, Mr Winter said.
"I acknowledge the contribution of Peter Dutton and his service to public life over the course of a couple of decades," Mr Rockliff told parliament on Tuesday.
"While I respect enormously Peter's contribution to public life, I am no Peter Dutton.
"But I can say with absolute certainty Mr Winter, you are no Anthony Albanese."
Mr Rockliff said he had a good working relationship with Mr Albanese, acknowledging that "as a young person, he did it tough and I admire his courage".
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam criticised party headquarters for a centralised campaign that stymied candidates from speaking about local issues.
"Many of us on the ground ... saw some pretty alarming signs which we fed in but were ignored," he told Sky News.
Ms White, who led state Labor to three election defeats but remained popular, appears set for a ministry in Mr Albanese's government and even garnered the support of Mr Rockliff who gave her a shout out on social media.
Mr Winter has declared his party is "back" in Tasmania - Labor hasn't governed in the island state since 2014 and holds just 10 of 35 lower-house seats.
They barely made up any ground at the most recent state poll in 2024 in which the Liberals lost 12 per cent of their vote.
