Premier will be having some strong words with his ministers after a horror week in parliament

Premier Peter Gutwein has gone from strength to strength and is arguably the right person to deal with the pandemic. But he’s been let down by two vital ministers in parliament, writes Jenna Cairney.

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TASMANIAN Premier Peter Gutwein’s performance, particularly during the coronavirus crisis, has been widely praised and polling indicates his popularity has surged.

There is no doubt when former premier Will Hodgman announced he would stand down, the government was worried about who would replace him.

Mr Hodgman was immensely popular and when the equally well-liked Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he would not take on the top job, it became a two-horse race between Michael Ferguson and Mr Gutwein.

In his inaugural speech as Premier, Mr Gutwein’s style stood in stark contrast to that of Mr Hodgman’s. He has a much harder edge.

Premier Peter Gutwein seemed to have been the right man for the job – and at the right time, writes Mercury editor Jenna Cairney. Picture: Zak Simmonds

He was very quickly thrown into the coronavirus crisis and he made his mark. Most would agree he was the right man for the time.

And he’s worked tirelessly.

At the height of the crisis he was delivering daily press conferences, away from his family at weeks on end and making unbelievably difficult decisions during an unprecedented period of chaos.

But as good as he is, he still needs a strong team around him.

And he’s likely to be less than impressed at the performance of a couple of key players this week.

First up was Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Mark Shelton who baffled parliament by appearing open to the possibility of closing some fire brigades.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Mark Shelton. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A review of the Fire Service Act is being carried out by former Tasmanian Auditor-General Michael Blake, who is due to report back to the state government next month.

Mr Shelton was asked about rumours some brigades could be shut down.

“I will always take advice on the most appropriate positions to take on different things and I will listen to that, but only recently there was a small brigade out off the side of Oatlands that only had three members and decided that their unit would close,” he said.

“It is really simple. I will take advice when Mike Blake comes back.”

Ninety minutes later a media release came out and then the Premier was forced to put out the fire by clarifying there would be no forced closure of rural brigades.

Next up was Minister Roger Jaensch who has been accused of deliberately misleading parliament.

Tasmanian Parliament. Minister Roger Jaensch during amendments to the Major Projects bill.

Mr Jaensch was asked by Greens leader Cassy O’Connor whether he was aware of a cabinet decision to amend tenancy laws to allow evictions without “genuine or just” cause.

Mr Jaensch replied: “I am not aware of any changes proposed or undertaken regarding making it more difficult... I don’t know what decision Ms O’Connor might be referring to.”

Ms O’Connor then produced a leaked cabinet minute which showed a decision to that effect was overturned by cabinet on August 24.

A bid for a motion of no-confidence failed but Labor and the Greens aren’t letting it go that easily – they insist Mr Jaensch’s position is untenable.

The public may have gotten used to politicians struggling with the truth but this sort of slip-up is just unacceptable.

Mr Gutwein will likely have had some stern words for these two ministers.