Premier Will Hodgman announces he is stepping down

Premier Will Hodgman has announced he will step down as the 45th Premier of Tasmania. See the gallery: Hodgman’s career in pictures.

PREMIER Will Hodgman has today announced he will step down as leader of the Liberal Party, effective immediately.

He informed his Cabinet colleagues of his intention to resign this morning .

“I leave this job with Tasmania in a better place than when we started,” Mr Hodgman said.

“It doesn’t just happen by luck. I’m extremely proud to be part of the government that has created the turnaround state.”

Premier Will Hodgman’s political career in pictures

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Mr Hodgman said he had taken time to reflect over the Christmas period on the position.

He said he did not arrive at a final decision until early this week.

“I’ve given this job everything but I do believe it’s the right time for someone else to do it,” he said.

“At this halfway point in the term of Government, I think there’s a great opportunity for new leadership.

“This state allows us the greatest place in the world to live and our best days are ahead of us.”

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Mr Hodgman said his Government’s reforms in education was one of his proudest achievements, including improved retention rates.

“We have been able to tackle the challenges and they are ready to seize the opportunities ahead for the state,” he said.

“It doesn’t just happen by luck.

“I’m extremely proud to be part of the government that has created the turnaround state.”

Will Hodgman holds his daughter Lily and is joined by his son James and his wife Nicola Hodgman after his address to the party faithful at the Liberals Campaign Launch in Launceston in March 2014.

Mr Hodgman said employing 1000 more health professional in our hospitals was another.

Other achievements Mr Hodgman spoke of included better outcomes for those suffering domestic violence and the “nation leading” measures his government has taken.

“Tasmania is now a more confident place,” he said.

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Mr Hodgman also pointed to tourism as one of the crowning glories of his government.

“Our brand has never been stronger,” he said.

“We are the only state that is GMO free.”

Congratulations to Will Hodgman on a wonderful period as Premier of Tasmania. He has been a great servant of his State. He leaves on his terms and the community of Tasmania better today than when he became Premier 6 years ago.

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) January 14, 2020

Mr Hodgman said infrastructure investment has more than doubled during his term, including road and rail.

He said his government had reduced the fire risk in Tasmania to its lowest level in 15 years

He thanked his colleagues, particularly Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliffe and Treasurer Peter Gutwein.

“It’s been an honour to work with them,” he said.

He also thanked state Brad Stansfield, his chief of staff for eight years.

“They called us the odd couple but you couldn’t think of a person who was more invested and dedicated to our state,” he said.

“I do truly believe that this is the greatest place in the world to live and our best days are ahead of us.

“There is a great opportunity for new leadership in this government.”

Mr Hodgman is the 45th Premier of Tasmania.

He became Premier in March 2014, replacing the state’s first female premier, Lara Giddings.

Mr Hodgman then led the party to a second consecutive term at the state election in March 2018.

Mr Hodgman, 50, had previously been Leader of the Opposition since 2006.

He entered parliament at the 2002 election in the electorate of Franklin.

He is the son of former Liberal Parliamentarian Michael Hodgman.

If Premier Hodgman quits parliament his recount is very likely to return Nic Street if Street contests. With Claire Chandler in the Senate the only other Liberal candidate is Simon Duffy who would need a huge share of Hodgman-Petrusma/Chandler votes to win. #politas

— Kevin Bonham (@kevinbonham) January 14, 2020

The last Premier to resign midterm was David Bartlett who stepped down in January 2011 due to family reasons.