Media release – Simon Wood, Tasmanian Government Whip, 15 October 2024
Statement from the Whip
The Parliamentary Liberal Party met this morning to elect the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party.
Guy Barnett was elected as Deputy Leader unopposed.
Media release – Guy Barnett, Deputy Premier, 15 October 2024
Statement from the Deputy Premier
It’s a great honour to have been elected unopposed by my Parliamentary Liberal Party colleagues as Deputy Leader, and sworn in as Deputy Premier.
Having joined the Liberal Party in 1980, I have a deep love for the values of our great party and will continue to strive each day to honour what the Liberal Party stands for.
Tasmania is the best place to live, work and raise a family. Under our Tasmanian Liberal Government and the leadership of Premier Jeremy Rockliff, we are continuing to take action on the things that matter to Tasmanians like cost of living, health and housing.
To the voters of Lyons, who have placed their confidence in me as their Member of Parliament since 2014, I reiterate my commitment to serving them with the same passion and energy I had when I was first elected.
Finally, I recognise Michael Ferguson for his contributions to Tasmania as a part of the Liberal Cabinet over a long period of time. Michael has steadfastly stood alongside the Premier and acted in Tasmania’s best interests at all times with integrity and conviction.
I thank my Parliamentary colleagues for their support of me, and I look forward to continuing to work together to deliver on our Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
Statement from the Deputy Premier
It is with a heavy heart that this afternoon I have tendered my resignation as Treasurer and Minister.
It is also my intention to resign as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party.
I will continue to serve the people of Bass – who have faithfully elected me on six occasions.
I have chosen to act in the best interests of the Government and Tasmanians.
From the outset, I want to thank my Liberal Party colleagues for their continued support for me over the past 20 years – and during my time as a Minister in Cabinet.
I am proud to be a representative of the people of Bass, who have given me their overwhelming support in every election I have contested since 2004.
I want to thank the Premier for his support and backing over the past few months – both personally and as a colleague – this friendship is one that I have returned to him during my time as his Deputy Premier.
Finally, I want to thank my loving family for their unbelievably generous, patient and loving support as we have worked as a unit in service of the Tasmanian people.
Tasmanians elected our Liberal Government to deliver our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future. It’s a plan that ensures Tasmania is the best place to live, work and raise a family – and by joy it is.
I intend on continuing to be a part of the team delivering this plan.
I am proud of the achievements our Government has delivered, and those that I have been honoured to lead or play an important part in.
These include:
• The redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital;
• Delivering the State’s largest ever infrastructure project the Bridgewater Bridge;
• Midland Highway Action Plan;
• Building the new Women’s and Children Hospital at the Launceston General Hospital;
• Improving road safety and efficiency through the South East Traffic Solution; and
• Delivering the Fiscal Strategy.
And I promise Tasmanians today that I will continue to work tirelessly to deliver this Government’s plan.
I would like to reassure you that I am not resigning from Parliament and my role in public life.
I have plenty more to do for the people in my electorate and for Tasmania generally, and I will continue to serve with passion and humility as the Liberal Member for Bass.
Editor’s note: no, we have not edited out the words of contrition, the sincere apologies for his many unbelievable stuff-ups, etc. There was nothing.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 14 October 2024
Statement from the Premier
On behalf of the Tasmanian Liberal Government, I want to thank Michael Ferguson for his contribution as Minister over the past decade.
As Deputy Premier, Michael has been a valued, hard-working member of our team, and his resignation as a Minister is a great loss to the Tasmanian people.
For the past 10 years, Michael has contributed enormously to public policy, holding a range of portfolios including Treasurer, Infrastructure, Housing, State Growth, Health, Small Business, Finance, Local Government and Science and Technology.
As Minister, Michael has overseen the redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital, the building of a new Women’s and Childrens Precinct at the Launceston General Hospital, the almost-completed new Midland Highway, and importantly, the state’s largest ever infrastructure project, the Bridgewater Bridge.
Michael entered political life 20 years ago determined to make a real difference in the lives of Tasmanians and I believe, as Minister – Michael has achieved that.
On behalf of our Liberal team, I want to thank Michael for his tireless efforts and advocacy to Cabinet since 2014.
On a personal level, not only as my Deputy but as a colleague for many years, I have appreciated Michael’s sage wisdom, friendship and loyalty.
I am confident that Michael will continue to represent his electorate of Bass with great distinction and serve the Tasmanian community with the same level of energy and passion he has over the past 20 years.
The position of Deputy will be elected by the Parliamentary Liberal Party tomorrow and I will consider the longer term make up of my Cabinet over the coming days.
Until that time, I will act as Treasurer and Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs.
Editor’s note: no, we have not edited out Premier’s words of contrition for not having sacked Ferguson until his position became so untenable he walked the plank, the sincere apologies for this Minister misleading Parliament, etc. There was nothing.
