Major shake-up in Tasmania government reshuffle
A Liberal stalwart is the big winner from a cabinet reshuffle caused by the departure of Education Minister Sarah Courtney as a major portfolio changes hands. FULL RESHUFFLE >>
Tasmania
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LIBERAL stalwart Nic Street is the big winner from a cabinet reshuffle caused by the departure of Education Minister Sarah Courtney.
And Liberal newcomer Madeleine Ogilvie has been promoted to Deputy Speaker.
Premier Peter Gutwein announced his revamped cabinet in Hobart on Thursday.
Mr Street, who is a member for Franklin, will take on the roles of Sport and Recreation; Community Services and Development; Heritage; Science and Technology.
Roger Jaesnch has been appointed to the education portfolio vacated by Ms Courtney.
Among other changes Michael Ferguson has picked up Local Government and planning, Mr Gutwein will take on Tourism and Climate Change, Jane Howlett loses sport but gains Hospitality and Events and Disability Services.
Mr Gutwein welcomed Mr Street to the ministry.
“Nic is an experienced member of parliament who was first elected in 2016, has been a strong and hardworking member within his Franklin electorate and has served more recently very effectively in our parliament as Deputy Speaker.
“He has served at the Local Government level as a Kingborough Councillor, he’s been a small business operator, has long associations with community sporting organisations, and has also been a small business ministerial Adviser.
“Nic is hardworking and a grassroots advocate for Tasmanians, with a strong focus on healthy, thriving communities and the opportunities we can grasp to make this happen.”
Mr Street said he was honoured to serve and said he was undaunted by the workload.
“I also want to thank the Premier for the faith he’s shown me in, in offering those portfolios to me.
“I’m well aware of the workload that I’m taking on and also the responsibilities that I’m taking on. I’m confident that I’ll find the right work life balance to make sure that I’m doing both to the best of my ability.”
Mr Gutwein said Mr Jaesnch would make a fine education Minister.
“He’s capable, he’s intelligent, and he works hard. And that’s the that is the key ingredient for a Minister,” he said.
Labor leader Rebecca White said was unimpressed by the reshuffle.
“This is a government that was elected just over nine months ago promising stability instead they’ve delivered disarray,” she said.
“In the nearly nine months since they were re-elected they’ve lost two members of parliament and this is the second Cabinet reshuffle and a government that is so weak that they’ve had to pile more portfolio responsibilities back on a Premier who just a few months ago said that he couldn’t do any more work and was trying to manage his workload.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor was similarly dismissive.
“Every child gets a prize, every Minister is unsustainably overloaded.
“While highly paid political advisers fill the void, some portfolios inevitably suffer from Ministers who just don’t have the time to deal with all their responsibilities.
“After working himself to illness and shedding the portfolios of Climate Change and Tourism, the Premier has picked them back up today. It’s hard to believe the pressure of those ministries has diminished, especially given the increasing threat of global heating.
“It is abundantly clear just how shallow the talent pool is in the Parliamentary Liberal Party.”
New Cabinet
Peter Gutwein MP:
Premier
Treasurer
Minister for Climate Change
Jeremy Rockliff MP:
Deputy Premier
Minister for Health
Minister for Mental health and Wellbeing
Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries
Elise Archer MP:
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for Corrections
Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs
Minister for the Arts
Guy Barnett MP:
Minister for Trade
Minister for Primary Industry and Water
Minister for Energy and Emissions Reductions
Minister for Resources
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Michael Ferguson MP:
Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Minister for Finance
Minister local Government and Planning
Leader of the House
Jane Howlett MLC:
Minister for Small Business
Minister for Hospitality and Events
Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Women
Minister for Racing
Jacquie Petrusma MP:
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
Minister for Parks
Roger Jaensch MP:
Minister for Education, Childcare and Youth
Minister for State Growth
Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth
Minister for Environment
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Nic Street MP:
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Minister for Community Services and Development
Minister for Heritage
Minister Science and Technology
Madeline Ogilvie MP:
Government’s nomination for chair of committees (deputy speaker)
Felix Ellis MP:
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
John Tucker MP:
Government Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
Leonie Hiscutt MLC:
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
Joe Palmer MLC:
Deputy leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
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