Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has managed to navigate the first challenge since last month’s state election: getting enough votes in the lower house to guarantee his minority government can get started.

But before that even happens, voters could throw another spanner in the works for his legislative agenda.

Three upper house seats are currently vacant: Hobart, Prosser and Elwick.

There’s also the ever-present question of the Macquarie Point stadium which will need to pass both houses of parliament – likely with the numbers determined by these three elections. Those votes could happen next year.