Economic focus in Hodgman ministerial reshuffle

A cabinet reshuffle in Tasmania focuses heavily on economic growth.

Premier Will Hodgman unveils his new Cabinet with Sarah Courtney, left, and Roger Jaensch at the Executive Building in Hobart. Picture: Sam Rosewarne.

A cabinet reshuffle in Tasmania is heavily focused on economic growth with new portfolios of trade, advanced manufacturing and defence industries, and aligns parks with tourism rather than the environment portfolio.

Re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Premier Will Hodgman yesterday named his nine-member cabinet, demoting a minister and adding two new faces.

Finding a balance on the sensitive issue of gun laws now falls to incoming police minister Michael Ferguson. He replaces Rene Hidding, set to be Speaker.

The biggest winner from the shake-up may be the economy, with new portfolios aimed at boosting focus on underperforming industries and strengthening the tourism and trade sectors. “It’s acknowledging that these are areas where there are extraordinary opportunities for our state,” said Mr Hodgman.

The Liberals’ push to further commercialise the state’s national parks has seen the parks portfolio separated from environment and placed with Mr Hodgman, as tourism minister.

Individual winners include former parliamentary secretaries Sarah Courtney, who will be the state’s first female primary industries and water minister, and Roger Jaensch who takes human services and housing. Former human services minister Jacquie Petrusma gains disability services and community development.

Just three of the nine-person cabinet are women, but new MP and Hobart mayor Sue Hickey is a parliamentary secretary.

The team is sworn in today.