Today I have announced that Minister Jacquie Petrusma is resigning from Parliament.
Since being first elected in March 2010, as Member for Franklin, Jacquie has been a dedicated member of my team who has delivered with passion, empathy and energy for the community she represents.
While it has been a truly difficult decision for Jacquie, she has made this choice for personal and family reasons.
Jacquie can be exceptionally proud of her achievements in Parliament, and as a Minister.
As Police Minister, she secured funding for the two new multi-disciplinary sexual and family violence centres in the South and the North – which will significantly change the way support is offered to victim-survivors.
And she’s delivered new police infrastructure and equipment across the State, as well as delivering a 31 per cent increase to our police establishment, and implemented a satellite recruit course in Launceston for the first time.
She’s delivered the Country Police Station Relief Policy, as well as the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the Safe Staffing Policy to improve the safety and wellbeing of police officers.
As Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, she has secured increased recurrent core funding for Tasmania’s nine specialist family and sexual violence services – with long-term five-year contracts to provide greater certainty and more capacity to respond with a 37 per cent increase in core funding.
She’s delivered a new 5-year partnership with Our Watch to work on primary prevention of family violence.
And she’s been delivering on the Government’s third Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan – which will be released later this year in response to the new National Plan – which puts victim-survivors at the centre, and is based on Tasmania’s first “Hearing Lived Experience Survey” of victim-survivors of family and sexual violence, as well as establishing our first Victim-Survivor Advisory Council.
Alongside the Attorney-General, she has helped support the delivery of our commitment of a new standalone criminal offence of non-fatal strangulation, choking and suffocation.
As Emergency Services Minister, she delivered a new $6.5 million emergency services Operations Centre for Tasmania – to better respond to all hazards.
As the Fire Services Minister, she has ensured the protection of Huon Pine Forest through the 2022 Bushfire season through dedicated resourcing for the Olegas bushfire.
She also removed PFAS chemicals from use within the Tasmanian Fire Service and implemented the PFAS Blood Testing Program to improve the work, health and safety of firefighters.
As the Parks Minister, she delivered the TWWHA Tourism Master Plan, the TWWHA Biosecurity Strategy 2021-2031, the TWWHA Natural Values Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2021-2031 and the TWWHA Fire Management Plan to ensure the integrity of the TWWHA is maintained and its future safeguarded.
To secure the future of our parks, she has also been reforming the Reserve Activity Assessment system to deliver greater transparency and a dedicated statutory environmental impact and planning assessment process.
As the former Minister for Women, she led the way for elevating women into key leadership roles – and this has seen equality in women on boards, as well as women in key leadership positions across the State Service.
And, as the former Child Safety Minister, she oversaw significant investment and reform of the Child Safety system through the Safe Families, Safe Kids Agenda.
Jacquie is stepping down to spend more time with her family and I wish her the very best and thank her for all of her hard work.
I can confirm today that Member for Braddon, Felix Ellis MP, will join my Cabinet.
Felix will be appointed Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Minister for Resources, and Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, and will be sworn in on Wednesday.
Given Felix’s lived experience volunteering as a surf lifesaver and with the rural fire service, I know he is a strong advocate for our emergency services, while his trades background has him well placed to look after Skills, Training and Workforce Growth.
He has also been a consistent and strong advocate for our Resources sector, particularly in our electorate of Braddon where it supports thousands of jobs.
Felix is a very valued member of our team, and does a terrific job engaging with his community and I know that he will carry out his new roles with energy and passion.
Minister Jo Palmer, who has done an outstanding job since entering the Cabinet, and as Minister for Women, will take on the portfolio of Prevention of Family Violence.
Minister Roger Jaensch will take the portfolio of Parks, complementing his portfolios of Environment, Climate Change and Aboriginal Affairs.
Lara Alexander will take on the role of Government Whip.
I’m confident that my team has the right mix of experience, compassion and energy to continue strengthening this great state’s future and delivering for all Tasmanians.
A recount will be held for Jacquie’s replacement in Franklin.