Right time to go, says Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman

The Tasmanian Liberal Party is reeling from the shock exit of Premier Will Hodgman.

Tasmania Premier Will Hodgman has resigned. Picture: Richard Jupe

The Tasmanian Liberal Party is reeling from the shock resignation of Premier Will Hodgman, but the longstanding leader insists he has chosen “the right time” to go.

Mr Hodgman, 50, unexpectedly announced his decision to quit on Tuesday, citing the need for a new leader to have a clear run to the 2022 state election, as well as the impact on his family of 14 years as party leader.

“Our children have grown up with me in the public spotlight, and often it hasn’t been easy,” Mr Hodgman told a press conference convened at short notice.

Will Hodgman. Picture: Richard Jupe

“There is no denying that this job can have an impact on your personal life, but we have done it together and they have supported me all the way.

“I have given the job everything. But I believe it is the right time for someone else to do it.”

It is not yet clear who will be elected Liberal leader and premier when the parliamentary party meets next week.

Frontrunners include Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Treasurer Peter Gutwein, both part of what Mr Hodgman described as a “triumvirate”, with himself, of the most senior Liberal MPs.

However, others, including former­ Speaker Elise Archer, and long-time minister and former federal MP Michael Ferguson, may throw their hats into the ring.

Halfway into a second term, the timing provides the new leader two years to build a rapport with the electorate, but whoever is chose­n will struggle to emulate Mr Hodgman’s popularity and appeal.

The Premier of the past six years said he came to a “personal decision” after reflecting on his future­ with his family during and since the Christmas period.

The decision was very recent and very difficult, he said. “I honestly didn’t finally arrive at it until the last day or so … on the weekend … talking to my family,” he said.

“It’s a job I’ve loved. It’s un­deniable it’s had an impact on my family and I want to thank them for their amazing support for the 17½ years I have been a member of parliament — our children’s whole lives.”

Flanked by his family — wife Nicky and children Will, James and Lily — a clearly emotional Mr Hodgman said he believed the decisio­n was best for him, the governme­nt and the state.

A lawyer before entering polit­ics in the southern Tasmanian seat of Franklin in 2002, he said he was not leaving to take up a particular job and did not know what he would do next.

“I have no job to go,” he said, joking that, like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, he was “looking forward to becoming financially independent”.

Mr Hodgman cited Tasmania’s economic turnaround, tourism boom, record population growth, reform of high school education and family violence policies as his proudest achievements.

He won immediate praise from opponents and allies. “Will Hodgman is a Tasmanian and Liberal legend, whose leadership has engin­eered the state’s remarkable turnaround,” said Scott Morrison, who the Premier called shortly before announcing his decision.

The Prime Minister added: “As the current longest-serving ­premier, Will has also made a great national contribution … (and has been) a tremendous friend and support to me.”

Mr Hodgman, whose late fath­er, Michael, was a state Liberal leader and Fraser government minister, and whose grandfather Bill, uncle Peter and great-great-uncle ­Thomas were all MPs, suggested it was up to his children to decide if the political dynasty had ended.

Labor leader Rebecca White wished him well: “I recognise Will’s love for Tasmania and his passion for this great state and I know that has driven him.”