Once rejected by Labor powerbrokers Dean Winter looks set for top job

The former Tasmanian mayor, once rejected by Labor’s hierarchy, is likely to replace Rebecca White as leader. Find out how he plans to get the party on track to govern.

Labor's Rebecca White and Dean Winter.

Former Kingborough mayor Dean Winter, once rejected by Labor powerbrokers as a candidate, is poised to take over the leadership and try to rejuvenate the party.

He confirmed to the Mercury on Thursday that he had spoken to colleagues and would be a candidate when the Labor caucus meets next week after the final election results are known.

It is believed education spokesperson Josh Willie has decided not to contest the leadership

Mr Winter, 38, who is married with two young children, says he will work to earn the trust of Tasmanians and explain that Labor stands for creating jobs.

Dean with wife Allison Winter and children George 5 and Harriet 3 at Kingston Beach. Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter in 2021. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

He praised the “tremendous leadership” of Rebecca White, who quit as leader the day after the election, saying he had asked her to return as leader in 2021.

Mr Winter said her work over the past two years “led to the demise of majority Liberal government”.

“But as bad as this Liberal government has been, Tasmanians were not prepared to elect enough Labor members for us to govern,” Mr Winter said.

“We need to earn Tasmanians’ trust again.

“Too many times over the past 12 months, I’ve been asked ‘what does Labor stand for?’

“Labor stands for creating good, well paid, safe and secure jobs that support families.

“We always have and always will.”

Labor, he said, supported Tasmanian industries and small businesses and backed “sensible development and infrastructure investment”.

“It means we will do everything we can to ensure having a good job enables Tasmanians to own a home and manage the cost of living, as has been the case for generations,” Mr Winter said.

Tasmanian Labor Launch for the State Election at James Boag Brewery, Launceston. Dean Winter MP. Picture: Rob Burnett

“And it means we recognise the workers who keep our essential public services going.

“That’s why I’m so worried about where our state is headed under the latest minority government Jeremy Rockliff is desperately pulling together.

“As he said himself, ‘minority government is destabilising, it destroys confidence, it is bad for our state and it is bad for Tasmanians’.

“And he’s right – nearly 5,000 jobs have been lost in Tasmania since May 2023, when the Liberals first started governing in minority.”

Ironically, Mr Winter, from the party’s right faction, had to rely on federal intervention to stand in Franklin in 2021 after the left-dominated administrative committee rejected his nomination.

Two former Labor premiers Paul Lennon and David Bartlett strongly backed his candidature.

He was elected mayor in 2018 securing half the vote in a four candidate contest and becoming the youngest mayor in Kingborough’s history.

Anita Dow is expected to be re-elected deputy leader when the PLP meets.

Originally published as Once rejected by Labor powerbrokers Dean Winter looks set for top job