Once branded a Liberal rebel, Peter Gutwein has made it to the top of state politics

Who is Peter Gutwein?

BLAIR RICHARDS

less than 2 min read

January 20, 2020 - 9:02PM

Politics

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PERSONAL

- Peter Carl Gutwein

- Age 55

- Born in England and raised in Nunamara, near Launceston.

- Educated at Myrtle Park Primary School and Queechy High School.

- Qualified financial adviser with post graduate qualifications in Business Administration from

Deakin University.

- Mr Gutwein is married with two children and lives in the Tamar Valley. He has strong ties to Bridport and North-East Tasmania.

- A former footballer, he is also a black belt instructor in taekwondo.

PROFESSIONAL

Mr Gutwein is a qualified financial adviser and his career in financial services included working in senior management positions in Australia and Europe.

Prior to being elected to State Parliament Mr Gutwein owned and managed the Bridport Bay Inn.

New Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein addresses the media alongside new Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Zak Simmonds

POLITICAL

- Mr Gutwein began his association with the Liberal party in the mid-1990s, including spending two years as an adviser to Howard Government Minister and Tasmanian Senator Jocelyn Newman.

- He was first elected in July 2002 as Member for Bass.

In his inaugural speech he raised concerns about Tasmania’s lagging economy, linking a strong economy with improved health outcomes and quality of life.

He said: “Healthy, wealthy and wise the majority of Tasmanians deserve to be, but unfortunately for many this is not the reality. This situation demands action.”

- In 2003 he developed a reputation as a Liberal rebel, voting against his party in support of a Greens motion for a commission of inquiry into child abuse. He was forced to resign from his shadow portfolios.

- Mr Gutwein became Treasurer in 2014 following the election of the Hodgman Liberal Government

- His time as Treasurer has coincided with a period of economic growth for Tasmania.

His supporters have hailed Mr Gutwein’s economic strategies as contributing to the state’s improved fortunes.

However Mr Gutwein’s critics say budget surpluses have been built on cuts to jobs and services, raiding government businesses and taking on unsustainable debt.

- On January 20, 2020, Mr Gutwein became the 46th Premier of Tasmania following the resignation of Premier Will Hodgman. He was unopposed after Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson withdrew from the race.

blair.richards@news.com.au