Sarah Courtney’s departure from the Tasmanian Liberal party leaves a fine balance

Courtney’s departure raises questions of who will take over... and it also leaves Rockliff with about half of everything the government does, writes political reporter David Killick.

AFTER all the flak Sarah Courtney has copped in recent weeks, her decision to step away from politics should not have been as much a surprise as it was.

It was always going to be hard to get past the public perception that the timing of her trip to France was unfortunate.

Even some Liberals conceded that an Education Minister being overseas as schools were bracing to return in the shadow of Covid was “not good optics”.

But on top of the acknowledged strain of juggling multiple demanding portfolios (and catching Covid while overseas) Ms Courtney also suffered a death in the family.

Politics can be a brutal business and the job takes its toll even on the most resilient.

Minister Sarah Courtney resigns from government effective immediately. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Regarded as one of the Liberal more capable performers and responsible for tough portfolios, Ms Courtney’s departure raises the question of who will take over.

Mr Gutwein said those acting in Ms Courtney’s multiple portfolios would be sworn in today and a reshuffle would take place once a new MP was sworn in.

It will mean a slightly easier Question Time for the government on March 1.

But it also leaves Jeremy Rockliff with responsibility for both health and education — which together amounts to about half of everything the government does. That can’t last.

The number of ministers is limited to nine, so there’s only room for one more person around the cabinet table.

Could this be an opportunity for the long-overlooked Nic Street or the ambitious Madeleine Ogilvie? Or does the eventual reshuffle go deeper?

Liberal Madeleine Ogilvie.

Ms Courtney’s departure could also change the delicate balance between moderates and conservatives within the government.

The outgoing member for Bass was a moderate — as evidenced by her support for the states Right to Die legislation — and a strong supporter of Mr Gutwein.

Another member on the conservative side might prove decisive in some future leadership ballot — given how tight the last one was shaping up to be.

Barely a year into the Liberal’s third term, Mr Gutwein will be hoping nobody else decides they want to spend more time with their family.

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