Premier Peter Gutwein to be Tasmania’s first Liberal Minister for Climate Change

In a host of Cabinet changes announced Friday, new Premier Peter Gutwein has taken on a surprise “priority” portfolio.

NEW Premier Peter Gutwein will become Tasmania’s first Liberal Minister for Climate Change under a host of changes to Cabinet announced Friday.

Mr Gutwein, who will retain his role as Treasurer, will also assume former Premier Will Hodgman’s tourism and prevention of family violence portfolios.

Mr Gutwein, who took over as Premier on Monday, following Mr Hodgman’s resignation, said climate change would be a “key priority” for the Government.

“I believe that we need to accept that the weather patterns that we are seeing are less predictable, they are more volatile and it is important that as a state, we continue with our very strong work as we have done in the past,’’ he said.

“As a state we are now the lowest net emitter in the country and one of the lowest net emitters in the world.

“We have a very good story to tell in terms of what’s occurring in Tasmania but it’s about the practical actions that we can now take to ensure that we protect both life, property and the environment from the impacts of what will be a less predictable and more volatile climate moving forward.”

Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor congratulated Mr Gutwein for taking on the responsibility of the climate change portfolio, but urged action.

“This is a critical time in Tasmania’s history, we are in a climate emergency,’’ she said. “And we’re hoping the new Minister for Climate Change, Premier Gutwein, will accept we’re ina climate emergency, move to declare one, and put in place real policies to mitigate our emissions and to adapt us for an accelerating rate of climate change.”

SURPRISING ADDITION IN GUTWEIN’S NEW-LOOK CABINET REVEALED

Mr Gutwein will share treasury responsibilities with new Minister for Finance, Michael Ferguson, who will retain his infrastructure and state growth portfolios.

Legislative Council member Jane Howlett has been elevated to Cabinet, and will be responsible for sport and recreation, and racing.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney will take on a new portfolio as Minister for Strategic Growth, which Mr Gutwein said would be focused on ensuring more Tasmanians share in a strong economy.

Roger Jaensch will become the new Minister for Environment and Parks, a role previously held by Mr Gutwein.

Speaker Sue Hickey. Final day of the Tasmanian parliament for 2019. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Sue Hickey will remain Speaker of the House, Jacquie Petrusma will retain the Chair of Committees role, Joan Rylah will continue as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

Lyons MP John Tucker will remain Government Whip and MLC Leonie Hiscutt will continue as Leader for Government Business in the Legislative Council.

Mr Gutwein said the new cabinet has “experience, energy and unity”.

“I believe it is balanced, I believe it is responsible, I believe it will serve the state’s interests well,’’ he said.

OPINION: WOOLEY SAYS PREMIER NEEDS TO GET GOOD ADVICE

But Opposition Leader Rebecca White said it was a missed opportunity for Mr Gutwein to re-set the course of the Government.

“What we do hear from this premier is that he wants a have a new focus on health and housing and yet he’s not changed where those profolios are or who is responsible for delivering on initiatives in health and housing,’’ she said.

“If the Government really is serious about tackling some of the biggest hcallenges in our state being health and housing, then the premier should have made a clear statement that he was going to give that as a priority to another minister who could actually deliver.

“Quite frankly, the existing arrangement with the current ministers isn’t working.”

The new Cabinet is expected to be sworn in next week.

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