Who’s who in Premier Will Hodgman’s new-look Cabinet

TASMANIA’S Premier and Deputy Premier will assume responsibility for two new portfolios aimed at embracing the state’s economic opportunities. WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE

UPDATED: TASMANIA’S Premier and Deputy Premier will assume responsibility for two new portfolios aimed at embracing the state’s economic opportunities.

Announcing his Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, Premier Will Hodgman revealed he would take responsibility for the new portfolio of Trade alongside his role as Tourism Minister.

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff will become Minister for the new area of Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries.

Mr Hodgman said the creation of the two new ministries was an acknowledgment of areas which showed “extraordinary potential” for the state.

The reshuffle resulted in demotions for former Speaker Mark Shelton, who reverts to his previous role as Chair of Committees, and former Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma, who will move into the role of Minister for Disability Services and Community Development.

Mr Shelton served just nine days as speaker in the last Parliament.

The Department of Health and Human Services will be split in half, with a new Department of Human Services, Housing and Community Development to be created from July.

The Human Services portfolio will be taken over by Roger Jaensch, who has also been named Housing Minister.

When asked whether Ms Petrusma had “jumped or been pushed” Mr Hodgman said he made the decisions about which MPs performed which jobs.

“It’s important that we have the right blend of experience, passion, commitment … this is an opportunity for us to refresh, to put new blood, new experiences, new perspectives into important roles,” he said.

Jacquie Petrusma.

Mark Shelton.

However, Labor leader Rebecca White said there was no doubt Ms Petrusma had been demoted.

Ms White said it was disappointing that Michael Ferguson had remained in the health portfolio.

“Anyone looking at this would be largely disappointed if they were looking to see any inspiring appointments made for addressing some of the key concerns the Tasmanian community has,” Ms White said.

“The fact that the architect of the health crisis, Michael Ferguson, remains in that portfolio will be devastating for many health workers.”

New Denison Liberal MP Sue Hickey has been given responsibilities as Parliamentary Secretary for small business and urban development, and fellow Denison MP Elise Archer will add Attorney-General to her role as Minister for Justice and Corrections.

Peter Gutwein will remain as Treasurer, and Michael Ferguson will remain Health Minister while adding Police, Fire and Emergency Management to his list of responsibilities.

Guy Barnett has retained the resources and energy portfolios, and Mr Rockliff will retain responsibility for education, a move welcomed by the Australian Education Union.

Premier Will Hodgman, right, unveils his new Cabinet with Sarah Courtney, left, and Roger Jaensch at the Executive Building in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Adam Brooks, who has an outstanding email audit preventing him from returning to the frontbench, has been left without any additional responsibilities.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin, said it was the best possible outcome for the State to bring the Parks and Heritage portfolios together with tourism and events under Mr Hodgman.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said it was disappointing Mr Hodgman had not reinstated the Climate Change portfolio.

New ministers will be sworn in on Wednesday.

EARLIER: NEW Denison Liberal MP Sue Hickey has been left out of Premier Will Hodgman’s new Cabinet.

Ms Hickey has instead been given responsibilities as Parliamentary Secretary for small business and urban development.

Mr Hodgman said Ms Hickey would have a role in solving Hobart’s traffic congestion issues.

Ms Hickey’s fellow Denison MP Elise Archer has added Attorney-General to her responsibilities for Justice and Corrections.

Former Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma has been given responsibility for disability services and community development, which Labor leader Rebecca White has called a demotion.

The Human Services portfolio will be taken over by Roger Jaensch, who has also been named Housing Minister.

See the full list below.

Responsibility for infrastructure moves to Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff, whose Primary Industries responsibilities will be taken on by second-term Bass MP Sarah Courtney — the first woman to hold the position.

Rene Hidding will be the Government’s nomination for Speaker, which has left his fellow Lyons MP Mark Shelton with a demotion.

Mr Shelton served just nine days as speaker in the last parliament, but will revert back to the position of Chair of Committees.

Peter Gutwein will remain as Treasurer, and Michael Ferguson will remain Health Minister.

Guy Barnett has retained the resources and energy portfolios.

Adam Brooks, who has an outstanding email audit preventing him from returning to the frontbench, has been left without any additional responsibilities.

EARLIER: PREMIER Will Hodgman has revealed his Cabinet line up, with the new ministers set to be sworn in tomorrow.

Braddon MP Roger Janesch has been named Housing Minister to deal with the state’s unfolding housing crisis.

MORE: JAENSCH TO TACKLE STATE’S HOUSING CRISIS

Mr Hodgman faced questions after a late Cabinet reshuffle last year saw him name Denison’s Elise Archer as Justice Minister but appoint himself the state’s Attorney-General.

MORE: ARCHER ELEVATED IN CABINET RESHUFFLE

That has been dealt with, with Mr Hodgman adding Attorney-General to Ms Archer’s list of responsibilities.

Second-term Bass MP Sarah Courtney has been promoted from the backbench, and will take on the Primary Industries portfolio from Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

EDITORIAL: SALUTING OUR FEMALE MPS

Former Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding has been nominated as Speaker of the House of Assembly, with Mr Rockliff taking over his Infrastructure portfolio.

Michael Ferguson has retained Health and will take on Police, Fire and Emergency Management.

The new Cabinet is due to be sworn in tomorrow and will meet for the first time on Thursday.

Who’s who:

Premier Will Hodgman: Tourism, Parks, Heritage, Trade

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff: Education, Infrastructure, Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries

Peter Gutwein: Treasurer, State Growth, Local Government

Michael Ferguson: Health, and Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Science and Technology

Elise Archer: Attorney-General, Justice, Corrections, Environment, Arts

Jacquie Petrusma: Disability Services and Community Development, Women, Aboriginal Affairs, Sport and Recreation

Guy Barnett: Energy and Resources, Veterans’ Affairs, Building and Construction

Sarah Courtney: Primary Industries and Water, Racing

Roger Jaensch: Human Services, Housing and Planning

Rene Hidding: Nomination for Speaker of the House of Assembly

Mark Shelton: Nomination for Chair of Committees

Sue Hickey: Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business, Urban Development

Leonie Hiscutt: Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council