Jeremy Rockliff Speech as New Premier

Speech – Jeremy Rockliff, 8 April 2022

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I am honoured and excited to be elected today by my parliamentary colleagues to lead the Liberal Party.

I am very pleased to have Michael Ferguson here with me today, to serve as Deputy Premier and Treasurer, and I thank him for his support and his encouragement, I value his experience.

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.

Mental health and wellbeing is very important to me. It is something I have personally championed for many years, and knowing it leads to a happy and fulfilling life is something I want for all Tasmanians.

The importance of health and mental health is so important to me that I can confirm as Premier, I will retain these portfolios to deliver the health system Tasmanians deserve.

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.

I love Tasmania, I Iove our people. I was born and bred here, I’ve farmed the land here, Tasmania is in my blood.

I firmly believe that through bold ambitions and the responsible Budget management which has been a hallmark of this Government since we were elected in 2014, we can lead with both our hearts and minds, to secure a future that benefits all Tasmanians.

Peter Gutwein has been instrumental in getting us as close as we have ever been to securing an AFL licence, and I am determined to finish what he started so that Tasmania has its own team, once and for all.

On a personal level I would like to thank my beautiful family for their love and support. In my first speech in parliament in 2002, I paid tribute to Sandra, my wife, and said I looked forward to our future and to raising a family. Twenty years later I continue to thank her, along now with my three wonderful daughters, Ruby, Lucy & Holly.

I look forward to serving and working for Tasmanians as Premier with an energised, unified and committed team.