Seriously ill MLC Vanessa Goodwin resigns from State Parliament

PREMIER Will Hodgman has praised outgoing Attorney-General and Pembroke MLC Vanessa Goodwin as an exceptional minister and MP who always put Tasmania first.

PREMIER Will Hodgman has praised outgoing Attorney-General and Pembroke MLC Vanessa Goodwin as an exceptional minister and MP who always put Tasmania first.

Mr Hodgman today announced that Dr Goodwin intended to resign from Cabinet, as Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, and as member for Pembroke as she continued to battle serious illness.

MORE: FAMILY HEARTBROKEN AT GOODWIN’S CANCER DIAGNOSIS

A by-election for the seat of Pembroke will be held once the Government formally advises Government House of the resignation.

Dr Goodwin was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer earlier this year.

Then Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin speaking to reporters about the Ellendale Freedom Centre earlier this year. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

“She does continue to battle very serious illness with great courage, strength and resolve,” Mr Hodgman said.

“She can now entirely focus on her personal challenge and she’ll do so with the full support of her colleagues and I am sure the Tasmanian public.”

Mr Hodgman spoke of his “great sadness” while making the announcement.

Dr Goodwin and Mr Hodgman have been friends since childhood.

“Vanessa has given so much of her life to making Tasmania a better place and she has much to be proud of,” he said.

“I’m sure all Tasmanians would join with me not only wishing her the very best for the future, but also in saying thank you.”

Vanessa has given so much of her life to making Tasmania a better place and she has much to be proud of — Premier Will Hodgman

Speaker Elise Archer — who was today elevated to Minister for the Arts, Justice, Corrections and Environment and Parks as part of Mr Hodgman’s Cabinet reshuffle — said it was a great honour but the timing was tinged with sadness.

MORE: ARCHER WINNER IN ‘BITTERSWEET’ RESHUFFLE

“Today is also a bittersweet day, with the news that my friend and colleague Vanessa Goodwin will shortly resign and I would like to acknowledge the significant contribution she has made to the community,” she said.

“I will work hard every day to live up to the example set by her.”