Solid swings to Greens candidates in both the Tasmanian and South Australian elections have consolidated the party's position as Australia's third party, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Hobart today. The Tasmanian Greens will share the balance of power with the Labor and Liberal party after achieving more than 20% of the vote and 5 seats with a sixth - second seat in Denison - still possible. In South Australia Greens candidate Tammy Jennings won the Greens' second seat in the Legislative Council with a 1.6% swing to the party.

"This is a strong message to both Liberal and Labor. It bodes well for our Senate campaign later this year," Senator Bob Brown said.

"Labor's dirt campaign backfired but I wont be surprised if Victorian Labor resurrects it to cut across the Greens' campaigns for the state and federal seats of Melbourne in this year's state and federal elections.

Commenting on confusion about the prospects from Tasmania's elections, Senator Brown said Labor's David Bartlett will remain Premier until he is tested on the floor in the House of Assembly, unless he were to resign.   

"But if Tasmania got poor governance from a group of 13 MPs, who would expect to get better from 10? It is time the Island State's cabinet was made up of the best talent from all three parties or, at least, the two which form government," Senator Brown said.