Tasmanian politics: Premier Jeremy Rockliff announces new health minister

It’s long been described as a poisoned chalice, and now it’s been revealed who will be taking on Tasmania’s health portfolio. Who kept, or lost, their place in the latest reshuffle.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Chris Kidd

Guy Barnett has been announced as Health Minister in Tasmania’s fifth cabinet reshuffle since the state election two years ago, but the reallocation of the racing portfolio has overshadowed the announcement.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced on Sunday he was offloading the portfolio to Mr Barnett, a ministry often described as a ‘poisoned chalice’.

Mr Rockliff said Mr Barnet was well placed to take on health because he was a Diabetes Australia ambassador and a former ambassador for Motor Neurone Disease Australia.

“Guy is very diligent, capable but also a very caring and compassionate person,” Mr Rockliff said.

Minister Guy Barnett. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“His own lived experience, being a type one diabetic, Guy will also drive that very important area of healthy living and ill health prevention.

“Guy is a very committed person, he welcomed the opportunity to take on the responsibility.”

Labor MP Sarah Lovell did not believe Mr Barnett was the right fit for health.

“[Mr Rockliff] has walked away from health, which is one of the most important priorities, and is something he claimed was so important to him that he was going to keep that portfolio,” Ms Lovell said.

The change to cabinet have a ripple effect for the Premier and four other ministers; Mr Rockliff will take on State Development and Trade, along with the Antarctic and Nic Street will take Housing and Construction from Mr Barnett, along with Stadia and Events.

Meanwhile Mr Street will pass on Community Services and Development to Jo Palmer, who will relinquish the Women and Prevention of Family Violence portfolio to Madeleine Ogilvie.

In one of the most notable changes of the reshuffle, the Racing portfolio will be taken away from Ms Ogilvie and given to Felix Ellis.

Minister for Racing Madeleine Ogilvie. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Ogilvie has attracted criticism for her handling of the ministry she’s held since March last year, as an independent review is undertaken into the harness racing industry.

When asked if he was dissatisfied with Ms Ogilvie’s performance, Mr Rockliff commended her efforts.

“Every single minister faces scrutiny at every single job, that is part of the job,” Mr Rockliff said.

“I can only commend Ms Ogilvie for the work she has done across a range of portfolios and I know she will embrace the women and prevention of family violence responsibility.”

On social media on Sunday, Mr Ellis said he was proud to take on Racing.

“You’ve always known me as a rock solid supporter of our way of life and Racing will be the same,” he said.

“I’ll be working every day, including through our reforms, to make sure its future remains bright.”

Mr Rockliff will retain the Mental Health and Wellbeing ministry.

The new cabinet will be sworn in on Tuesday.