Labor takes points in Tas leaders debate

Health, economic management and coronavirus recovery were among the big-ticket items at the forum hosted by Sky News and The Mercury newspaper in Hobart on Monday.

The Liberals, aiming for a third term, were riding a wave of pandemic-management popularity but recent voter surveys indicate a closer race.

Ms White won favour with the room of undecided voters, with 59 per cent approval.

Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein picked up just 15 per cent, while 26 per cent of people remained undecided.

In a spiel used regularly throughout her campaign, Ms White urged voters look beyond the past few months and instead to the last seven years of Liberal government.

"We've seen the health waiting list blow out to be the worst it's ever been," she said.

"50,000 Tasmanians are waiting to see a specialist. The public waiting lists have blown out by 75 per cent."

Mr Gutwein took aim at what he described as overspending in Labor's election promises which would "push the budget back into deficit almost immediately".

He said opposition pledges amounted to $2.7 billion, something Ms White denied.

Mr Gutwein thanked Tasmanians for their cooperation after the government's decision to close borders before any other state or territory.

"We've asked you do to some difficult things and together we've ended up with a place on the planet that is as safe as anyone else," he said.

"I laid out a clear plan ... to keep people safe and to rebuild our economy. We used our strong balance sheet to invest on a per capita basis more than any one state."

The Liberals hold 12 of 25 lower-house seats and Labor nine, with the Greens and independents having two each.

Mr Gutwein has flagged a "major" infrastructure announcement on Tuesday.

Australian Associated Press