Tasmania’s new premier to be announced today
A humble farmer who ‘loves his state’ has been named Tasmania’s next Premier after Peter Gutwein stepped down on Monday. FOLLOW LIVE >>
Tasmania
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TASMANIA’S new premier has promised to lead a government of integrity, courage and accountability.
Jeremy Rockliff said he was a humble farmer who loved his state and wanted all Tasmanians to feel valued and supported.
The father of three from Sassafras in the state’s northwest emerged as the only candidate for the top job after the resignation of Peter Gutwein on Monday. He said he would also continue in the health portfolio.
Michael Ferguson will serve as his deputy.
Mr Rockliff held a wide-ranging press conference after being endorsed by a party room meeting in Hobart on Friday.
“I love Tasmania, I love our people. I was born and bred here, I’ve farmed the land here, Tasmania is in my blood,” he said.
“My vision for Tasmania is simple. It is to be a place where everyone feels valued, included, encouraged and supported to be the best they can be”
“It is my plan to lead a government with integrity, that is courageous, accountable and delivers on its commitments, but above all, I will lead a Government with heart.
“Being Tasmanian and the Tasmanian brand, has never been so quietly powerful.
“What we’ve been building for a century is what the world is looking for – premium products produced with renewable energy.”
The new premier nominated health, mental health, education, housing and economic development as his priorities.
Former teacher, Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson, was the only candidate for the deputy’s role and will also serve as treasurer, handing down his first budget on May 26.
A bid for the deputy leadership by Attorney-General Elise Archer announced earlier in the week did not eventuate.
Mr Rockliff said Ms Archer did not nominate to contest the position.
“There was one nomination of course, which is Michael and Michael and myself were elected as leader and deputy leader,” he said.
“I’m a big fan of Elise’s commitment. I’m a big fan of the enormous amount of work that Elise has done, the reforms that Elise has done.’
Mr Ferguson pledged his loyalty to Mr Rockliff and said he did not have his eye on the top job.
“My role is to support Jeremy loyally faithfully and thoroughly,’ he said.
‘He knows that he will never have to worry about me over his shoulder. I will be supporting him because I need him to be successful so that our government can be successful so that Tasmanians can continue to flourish. That is my position.”
Mr Ferguson could also shed no light on Ms Archer’s decision not to nominate.
“We do have a democratic process. It is competitive, it’s merit-based, and people will express their views and make their selections and politics can be tough but there’ll be no intrigue here because our party … is very united.”
Labor’s Dean Winter said the outcome showed divisions within the Liberals
“Elise Archer is the biggest loser of a bunch of losers frankly,” he said.
“This team now is divided, is dishevelled and Elise Archer, we know, Tasmanias know Elise very well now that she is going to be hugely disappointed to not get that deputy leader position.
“So Michael Ferguson has done a deal with Jeremy Rockliff. We suspect that’s about who’s going to be the next leader of the Liberal Party and the big loser is Elise Archer.”
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