Eight long years in opposition have finally paid off for Will Hodgman.
Last night Tasmania's Liberal leader took to the podium to say the words he's been waiting for.
"Tonight, Tasmanians have voted for change", he told the party faithful.
Not since 1998 have the Liberals governed Tasmania.
The Liberal Party picked up enough seats in the state election to form a majority government.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The win follows an election campaign built around job creation and improving the state's sluggish economy.
Outgoing Premier Lara Giddings using her concession speech to make a plea to save an historic forestry deal struck between industry and environmentalists last year.
"I would say to Will Hodgman `do not tear up the Tasmanian forestry agreement.'"
The Palmer United Party, too, failed to gain traction with voters.
The Liberals were nearly successful at winning the Tasmanian state election in 2010, when they gained more votes than Labor, but ultimately baulked at entering a minority government with the Greens.
Labor didn't - but the deal fell apart just weeks before Tasmanians headed to the polls this year, as Labor scrambled to distance itself from a leadership built on compromise.
It was a compromise that ultimately cost both parties votes.
With the leadership now certain, Tasmanians will be looking to Will Hodgman to follow through on his campaign promises, which includes the creation of 10,000 jobs across the state in the next four years.
"We will be the government that brings that change" he said on victory night.
After 16 years of Labor rule, change is one thing Tasmanians can be sure of.
