Statement on new Cabinet
I want to thank Tasmanians once again for voting for a majority Liberal Government.
They voted for stability and for certainty, at the time Tasmania needs it most.
We have laid out a clear plan to secure Tasmania’s future. To continue building on our strong economic position, to create jobs and ensure we have the skills and training pathways Tasmanians need.
To invest strongly in health, in education and housing, and to continue creating jobs by delivering our record infrastructure program, which is building better and safer communities.
I will continue to lead a Government of conviction and compassion, and my priority is to ensure Tasmanians, no matter their circumstances or background, will have the opportunity to benefit from our growing State.
Today I am announcing my Cabinet and their ministerial portfolios, and other official roles and responsibilities of the Government.
The Cabinet I am announcing today provides the mix of experience, passion and energy to secure Tasmania’s future.
As Premier, I will also retain the portfolios of Treasury, Tourism and Climate Change.
The important portfolio for the Prevention of Family Violence will move to our new Minister, Jacquie Petrusma. Jacquie is a survivor of family violence, and I know what an advocate she is for this portfolio, which I know she will lead with passion and strength.
Jacquie will replace Mark Shelton, who will be the Government’s nomination for Speaker.
Jacquie’s other portfolios will be Police, Fire and Emergency Management, and also Parks – for which she is an experienced advocate.
After seven very successful years in the Education portfolio, Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff will take on the responsibility for Health.
The Government has invested significantly into health over the last seven years and we are committed to making health better, Jeremy has the experience to ensure that we continue to deliver on this commitment.
Jeremy will retain Mental Health and Wellbeing, as well as Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries, while he will have the new portfolio of Community Services and Development.
Sarah Courtney, after leading Tasmania successfully through the COVID pandemic in the Health portfolio, will become Education Minister, and Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Development.
She will also be responsible for implementing our reforms to TasTafe, to ensure we can skill and train more Tasmanians for the jobs that are on offer in our strong growing economy. She will be the Minister for the new portfolio of Children and Youth, aligning strongly with Education, as well as Minister for Disability Services and Minister for Hospitality and Events.
Michael Ferguson will be responsible for building Tasmania. He will be appointed as the Minister for the new portfolio of State Development, Construction and Housing. He will also retain the portfolios of Infrastructure and Transport.
This effectively consolidates the building and development portfolios under one Minister, to aid strong delivery.
Michael will also retain the Finance portfolio, assisting me in my role as Treasurer, as well as Science and Technology, along with his important role as Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly.
The very experienced Guy Barnett will be given the responsibility for the Trade portfolio, which is critical as we rebuild from COVID, while he will remain Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Resources, retaining responsibility for the export orientated aspects of our economy - Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, Mining and Forestry.
He will also continue his strong work in Energy, and will be tasked with the additional responsibility of emissions reduction, as the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. He will also retain the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio, for which he is a strong advocate.
Elise Archer will continue as the State’s Attorney-General, where she has demonstrated great capacity. Elise has the legal background, experience and drive to fulfil this role to the highest level.
Elise will also retain the portfolios of Justice, Corrections and the Arts, as well as the new portfolio of Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs.
Jane Howlett, who has performed exceptionally well in the portfolios of Racing and Sport and Recreation, will also become the Minister for Small Business and the Minister for Women – for which she has been a passionate advocate.
Roger Jaensch will be the Minister for State Growth and will be tasked with ensuring that business and industry is supported to grow and prosper. Roger will also begin the process of Local Government reform in line with the PESRAC recommendations, as the Minister for Local Government, and he will retain the role of Minister for Planning.
Roger will continue his work as Minister for the Environment and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, as well as take on the Heritage portfolio.
Nic Street will be the Government’s nomination for Chair of Committees (Deputy Speaker) given his experience in the Speaker’s chair.
Madeleine Ogilvie is a very welcome addition to the Government Party Room and will take on the role of Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.
John Tucker will continue as Government Whip and also Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.
Leonie Hiscutt will continue her very important work as Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and will be supported by Jo Palmer as Deputy Leader.
The new Ministry will be sworn in tomorrow, officially beginning our historic third term in Government.
My Cabinet will meet for the first time tomorrow to get straight down to business in our new roles.
As a priority our initial focus will be formalising the delivery of our First 100 Day Plan.
State Parliament will return on June 22 and will resume its current schedule for the rest of the year.
My entire team and I are energised about the important job before us to deliver our plan to secure this great State’s future.
As I said on election night there is no doubt that our best days are ahead of us and we are strongly committed to the task at hand.