Tasmania’s Premier has promised to resign if Labor ends up with fewer seats than the Liberals after Saturday’s state election.

The Premier made the promise at a leaders’ debate in Launceston last night, attended by about 500 people.

The topics ranged from education to the elderly, but the leaders relished the opportunity to quiz each other on minority Government.

Liberal leader Will Hodgman pressed the Premier David Bartlett on his intentions.

“Alright David, simple question, in the event of a hung parliament will you resign as Premier if you have fewer seats than us?” he asked.

“Yes,” replied the Premier.

Greens leader Nick McKim says he will try to negotiate a power sharing agreement with Labor or the Liberals if the polls are proved right.

“Mr Bartlett and Mr Hodgman are the two people saying they’re not prepared to be constructive and cooperative,” he said.

“Ultimately they’ll be judged on Saturday for that position by the voters who do want people to work together to deliver good outcomes for Tasmania.”

In the event of a minority Government, the leaders of the two major parties have confirmed they will not budge from their policies.

“The policies I’ve taken to this election are rock solid,” said Mr Hodgman.

Mr Bartlett reiterated he will not negotiate with the Greens.

“I will be prosecuting our legislative agenda on the floor of the house,” he said.

But Mr McKim says he will not act as a rubber stamp.

“The Tasmanian people deserve and are demanding stability,” says Mr McKim which “will be achieved through a formal power sharing agreement.”

Policy agendas

The three leaders made the most of the final election debate to restate their policies.

In answering questions from the public, the Premier spoke of his vision for Tasmania as the nation’s food bowl and the importance of his education and health reforms.

“To end the blame game in our hospitals to end the cost shifting,” he said.

Mr Hodgman restated his promise of an accountable Liberal government.

“We will set about restoring public trust and confidence in government by being more honest,” he said.

Mr McKim emphasised the Greens policy to stop chemicals entering water supplies.

“You can not only trust the Greens to clean up our drinking water,” he said.

“You can trust the Greens to clean up our government.”

About a dozen people in the audience gave Mr McKim a standing ovation after his final speech.

Pulp mill

The three party leaders were also questioned about Gunns’ planned pulp mill.

Although there were no anti-pulp mill protests at the debate, the leaders faced questions about the mill’s assessment.

The Greens’ Nick McKim said the process was dodgy.

The Liberals’ Will Hodgman promised more open planning systems while the Premier Daivd Bartlett said the mill will meet strict guidelines, but his Government was also trying to change the planning system.

Launceston builder Steven Stearnes demanded solutions to problems in the Tamar River.

“Beyond the dredging of silt,” he said.

Lou Clark from the Launceston Chamber of Commerce asked about council amalgamations.

“Following water and sewerage reform to ensure the future sustainability of local government,” she said.

All three party leaders promised not to force council amalgamations and to fund a dredging program for the Tamar.

Outside the debate, members of the audience were divided about who the winner was, but most told ABC News they thought the Liberal and Greens leaders performed best.

The debate will be screened in a special edition of Stateline on ABC 1, tonight at 8pm (ADST)