Tasmania’s new Labor minority Government is already facing the threat of a no-confidence motion.

Governor Peter Underwood ended a dramatic chapter in Tasmanian politics yesterday, when he told caretaker Premier David Bartlett he had an obligation to test the strength of his government on the floor of the house.

Mr Bartlett had advised the Governor to invite the Liberals to form minority government.

The major parties hold 10 seats each in the hung parliament and the Greens hold five.

Liberal leader Will Hodgman says he will move a motion of no-confidence immediately.

He had expected to become Premier because his party won more votes.

“On day one, Tasmanians know that they have a government that has been built on deceit and lies,” he said.

“In their lust for power, [the Greens have] sold out to the Labor party, soundly beaten at the election and have offered unconditional support – so when I said a vote for the Greens is a vote for Labor, I was right.”

“[Mr Bartlett is] forming an illegitimate government with the support of the Greens – Tasmanians now have a Labor-Green government that is built on lies.”

Mr Bartlett says the Governor wanted to be convinced the Liberals could form stable minority government.

The Premier-in-waiting says his mission is to restore trust in Tasmania’s political system.

“Will Hodgman has been unable to do so, therefore the responsibility rests with me – the major parties hold ten seats each in the new parliament, with the Greens holding the balance of power.”

“I intend to make the Government work in the interests of all Tasmanians for the next four years.”

Mr Bartlett has less than a week to choose his new cabinet, but he would not be drawn on possible deals with the Greens.

“My first task is to sit down my parliamentary Labor Party colleagues and I’m not jumping any further ahead than that,” he said.

Greens leader Nick McKim says his party stands by its pledge to support a minority Labor Government and has urged Mr Hodgman to cooperate.

“We won’t support any no-confidence motion that Will Hodgman might move on the first day on Labor if there is no negotiated arrangement, because we’ve given a commitment not to,” he said.

“We’ve given that commitment because we absolutely believe the Tasmanian people not only deserve it but desire stable government.

“[Mr Hodgman] needs to put that disappointment behind him and not be a destabiliser or wrecker in the new parliament.”

Mr McKim says his party will not be making any demands, even though it holds the balance of power.

“Our position is unchanged on ministries – we’ve said we wouldn’t demand ministries in any negotiations, but we’ve also said that we’d consider any model of governance that has the capacity and maximises the opportunity to deliver stable government,” he said.

Mr Bartlett has not ruled out a ministerial post for the Greens in his new cabinet.