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Josh Willie Elected New Leader of Tasmanian Labor
After the Labor party officially conceded defeat in the recent state election, the leadership of the Tasmanian Labor Party was spilled 20 August 2025.
The decision was made in accordance with the Labor Party’s internal rules, which dictate that the leadership must be challenged following an election loss.
Dean Winter, the former leader, took full responsibility for the election result, acknowledging that the party’s desire for a new leader was understandable. Winter did not nominate again. The spill led to the election of Josh Willie as the new leader, who ran unopposed. Janie Finlay was also elected unopposed as Deputy Leader, replacing Anita Dow.
Media release – Josh Willie MP, Labor Leader, 21 August 2025
Statement from Josh Willie
Today, on my first day as Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party, I chose to return to a place close to my heart – my childhood playground.
This place holds deep personal meaning. I grew up just up the road, my grandparents lived on this street, and my late brother and I spent many days swimming in this pool. It’s a reminder of where I’ve come from, and the community and values that shaped me.
I’ve been fortunate to grow up with the love and support of a close family. My parents, both teachers, instilled in me the values of fairness, hard work, and social justice. But I am mindful that not every Tasmanian family has the same support or the same opportunities.
Right now, families are doing it tough. Many are struggling from paycheck to paycheck. Too many of our children aren’t getting the education they deserve. Our public health system is under immense pressure. Workers, especially in essential services, are being stretched thin, local businesses are navigating a tough economic environment, and jobs and opportunities remain scarce for too many young Tasmanians.
These are problems we have talked about for too long without enough action.
As a former primary school teacher, and someone who has served in both houses of Parliament, I know firsthand transformative power of strong public services and what they mean for everyday people. Good schools, accessible healthcare, reliable transport, safe housing – these aren’t luxuries – they’re the foundation of a fair society and a strong economy.
Tasmanian Labor has always stood with workers and the communities that depend on them. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and lead with purpose, courage, and determination to tackle these challenges head on – not just for some, but for all Tasmanians.
Leadership is not about one person; it’s about what we can achieve together. I’m proud to lead a strong Labor team committed to bringing positive change and returning Labor to government.
Together, we will build a Tasmania that offers real opportunity, fairness, and hope for everyone.
Media release – Josh Willie MP, Labor Leader, 20 August 2025
Statement from Josh Willie
It is a great honour to be elected Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party.
Tasmanian Labor has a proud history and I look forward to giving this role everything I’ve got to return Labor to government.
I’d like to thank Dean Winter for his service. He’s a proud Tasmanian with strong Labor values and he’ll continue to work to make Tasmania a better place.
I’d also like to thank Anita Dow for her service as Deputy Leader. She is someone the Labor team respects and can turn to for a comforting word, and she has provided great unity for many years.
I congratulate Janie Finlay for her election as Deputy, and I look forward to working with her and the rest of the Labor team to return Labor to government.
Media release – Dean Winter MP, 20 August 2025
Statement from Dean Winter
I congratulate Josh Willie on being elected Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party.
As Leader, I take full responsibility for our election result, and it is understandable that Labor has a new leader moving forward.
Leading the Labor Party has been the honour of my life.
While the election result didn’t go the way I wanted, I will forever be proud that Labor stopped the disastrous 2025-26 Barnett Budget from ever passing Parliament, and that the Rockliff privatisation agenda is now dead.
Some say that politics is the art of compromise, but compromise does not and should not mean capitulation.
rThere is a line where you must stand up for what is right.
I will never resile from standing strong and true to my word, especially when it comes to Tasmanian workers and traditional industries, including salmon workers and the racing community I care deeply about.
My word is my bond. I knew if I sold out the workers, like Jeremy Rockliff has, I could have been Premier. I could never do that.
Those in the Parliament who preach the loudest about integrity and rebuilding trust don’t understand the meaning of the words.
I will continue to serve as a Labor Member for Franklin in Parliament, and to fight for those workers who the Premier has callously abandoned in his clutch for power.
Thank you to my colleagues, staff and the broader Labour movement who have supported me every single day. Especially Anita Dow, who has been an incredible Deputy Leader for our party and for me.
Finally, I’d like to thank my beautiful wife Alli and our kids George and Harriet for their love and support over the campaign. I look forward to spending some much needed time with them over coming weeks.
Media release – Meg Brown MP, Opposition Whip, 20 August 2025
Statement regarding Labor leadership
Josh Willie has been elected unopposed as Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party.
Janie Finlay was elected as Deputy Leader, unopposed.
After yesterday’s events in Parliament, the 2025 election was declared lost, and in accordance with Labor Party rules the leadership was spilled at today’s caucus meeting.
Daily Hansard (Uncorrected Proof), Tuesday 19 August 2025
Preliminary Transcript Josh Willie
Mr WILLIE (Clark) – Honourable Speaker, congratulations on your election as Speaker. I’m sure you’ll do a fabulous job. Congratulations to the Deputy Speaker on her new position. I’d like to welcome new members to this place, particularly my new colleagues Jess Greene and Brian Mitchell, and also commend Professor Razay on his speech and contribution. It’s been quite uplifting getting to know you in recent days and I share your passion for health and education and look forward to further contributions, so well done. I think you’re going to be a bit of a cult hero in this place.
Moving a constructive no confidence motion like this in the Tasmanian parliament is not without precedent. The 1989 example has been well documented and reflected upon in the past few weeks and I’m sure there are other examples in our history. The Tasmanian Constitution is different to many other jurisdictions, as I understand it, because the Governor has to commission a premier and therefore a government within seven days of the writs being returned, rather than leaving it to parliament to decide. With minority governments becoming more prevalent, the Tasmanian parliament may consider more of these motions in the future if the constitution remains the same.
In more recent history, some members of the public might be surprised to find out that then opposition leader Will Hodgman moved no confidence in the Bartlett minority government in 2010 on the first day of the parliamentary term, a motion he lost. Members on that side who were present that day might like to reflect on that speech, and there’s a few members here who were present that day. The speech predominantly concerned statements made by the Premier prior to the election and after. There were accusations of doing deals and selling out previous positions. It seems history has a habit of repeating and we really have to find a better way because it is Tasmanians’ lives that are being impacted.
As I’ve watched on the last two weeks, there’s been horse trading, political theatre and grandstanding. I’ve been disappointed at times and I despair of the political circus of Tasmanian politics. I don’t think anyone of us in this Chamber can be proud and I understand fully why our communities have such little respect for politicians. It seems many have forgotten that the community we represent is at the heart of this.
I believe in good governance and orderly process. They give us the tools to provide the stability and certainty that Tasmanians need. In the last two weeks, I think that obligation we owe to people has been lost. In a ruthless attempt to cling to power, the Premier has lost sight of what is important – trust, honouring your words and putting people first. I would ask everyone here to imagine what it would be like to wake up one day to find your life’s work and livelihood being snatched away at the stroke of a pen because someone thought their job was more important than yours. There is no conversation, no consultation, nothing, just a letter of support written a few weeks earlier that you thought you could trust.
Regardless of the issue or claiming to be fighting from the moral high ground, as some do in this place on policy debates, no Tasmanian should be treated with such disrespect, especially when it is done in the pursuit of power. The Premier should feel ashamed of how he has conducted himself and so should members of his team over there. I wonder how minister Abetz and new minister Pearce really feel about the Premier’s salmon announcement.
Putting the policy debate aside for a moment, the Premier has proved time and time again that his words mean nothing. He will say and do anything to cling to power and the assessment from those he’s thrown under the bus could not be more damning.
There is a lot of anger out there in the Tasmanian community around what’s taken place the last two weeks. Salmon Tasmania put out a statement on 17 August on behalf of salmon workers and the statements in this are absolutely damning of this government and what they’re prepared to sell out in the pursuit of power.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has today broken his own written commitments to hardworking Tasmanians to appease the Greens and independents. Salmon Tasmania CEO John Whittington(ok) said: (tbc)
The Premier has gone back on his word and commitments and shamefully let down every salmon worker, their families and communities across the state.
The Premier’s announcement today will send a loud caution to any company in any sector that invests or is looking to invest in Tasmania.
The Premier has let down the salmon aquaculture industry, strangling growth, guaranteeing a whole host of new red tape and significantly undermining confidence and investment.
The Liberal Party went to the election promising 100 per cent support for Tasmania’s salmon aquaculture industry.
In a letter signed by the Premier on July 2, he made a number of policy commitments that support the future of the salmon industry, including pledging not to trade the salmon industry away in any shape or form, in order to form or retain government.
Many salmon workers trusted the Liberals with their valuable vote, only to be completely betrayed six weeks later. The Premier’s word has proven worthless.
Every industry in Tasmania should be deeply concerned. First it was forestry, then it was the racing industry. What’s next?
If you have a letter from Jeremy professing support, be very, very worried you could well be next on his political chopping block.
Tasmania’s workers, their families and industries deserve the support of their leaders, and not to be treated as a political plaything to be traded away for power.
This is a government that does not deliver predictability, certainty and good governance. This is a government that is harming business confidence.
I was talking to someone in the business community the other day and it made me really sad after the conversation. This is someone who’s done very well in business in Tasmania. They said that they were looking, prior to the Premier’s actions, to invest in Tasmania further with their business and to diversify their business. They’ve decided not to do that now because the environment isn’t very predictable. The sad thing was that he said he’s contemplating an exit strategy for his five-year-old daughter and his family if things don’t improve, because the political system here is unstable and this government cannot be trusted.
That is an absolutely damning assessment of this government and its conduct. I know that there are many other people in the business community who feel the same. I wonder how the minister, Ms Howlett, feels about the greyhound industry announcement, having had a long association with and support for the industry. They also put out an assessment of this government.
Putting the policy debate aside, what makes this horrendous decision even worse is the sheer deceit and appalling cynicism of the Premier. On 17 July, Mr Rockliff wrote to Mr Englund, stating: (all TBC)
The government is committed to supporting the longevity and sustainability of the racing industry across all three codes, including greyhound racing.
The letter continued:
We’ll continue to back Tasmania’s racing community and the vital jobs in regional Tasmania and the many families and other small businesses it supports.
Mr Englund described the Premier’s actions as ‘the ultimate betrayal’. ‘He lied to us and I’d say to all Tasmanians that the Premier now cannot be trusted on any commitment he gave prior to the election.’
He called on Liberal MPs to reverse the decision and restore trust in the party. He pointed to other recent reversals by the Premier on salmon farming and forestry that exposed the extent to which he’s prepared to destroy local industries to remain in power. It’s an appalling way to treat Tasmanians. It could have been different.
The framework for collaboration that Dean Winter developed with feedback from the crossbench – I’ve seen some criticism that the document was released too late to make a difference. It was because there was genuine consultation across that two weeks, genuine consultation between parties back and forth. It represents a principles-based approach to working together. It seeks to establish an environment that supports stable government while preserving accountability, a diversity of views, and genuine debate on the Floor of the parliament, not secret deals behind closed doors. It seeks to find common ground, resource members of parliament to shape policy and outcomes and scrutinise government actions and, importantly, re establish integrity and transparency as fundamental to the core of good governance.
In contrast, what the crossbench is voting for today is a transactional parliament. Taking an 11 year old government and a Premier on their word when clearly that has been demonstrated to mean nothing.
Perhaps, and I’m hopeful of this parliament, perhaps the crossbench might like to pick up that document and help the government prioritise a new culture because I think that this Premier and this government are incapable of behaving any differently without the fear of losing power.
Labor’s framework for collaboration has some great principles and mechanisms to support collaboration and engagement and, importantly, to put in place the necessary supports to deliver budget repair, which will be the most important job in this parliament.
We can’t keep going on in denial like the current government has been. If anything the past 10 weeks have achieved, it is a reality check for those opposite, further education in the community around the challenges we face and that business as usual is no longer going to cut it.
I reject the Leader of the Greens’ assessment of our fiscal statement in the campaign. It was a fiscal statement that demonstrated an openness to working together. It put forward a number of initiatives for budget repair. It was endorsed by business, unions, the community sector. It was described as fabulously courageous in an election campaign. Saul Eslake, a respected economist, said that at least one major party is taking budget repair seriously and he challenged the Liberal party to match it. I absolutely reject your assessment of that document.
A pathway to surplus, just a few weeks ago, is what the former treasurer was saying: ‘We’ve got the debt, it’s manageable.’ It’s not manageable. The debt is on a trajectory that is totally out of control and it will get worse every single year. That’s less money for health, education and the things that matter to Tasmanians.
We know that the budget that failed to pass the parliament was based on dodgy assumptions and creative accounting. The expenditure projections across the forward estimates could not be believed. I’ve got an example of that. The other former treasurer over there, he did exactly the same thing in his budget, and what did you have to do in that first year coming back from the election? They had to come to parliament and ask for half a billion dollars more money because they couldn’t meet the targets in their budget because they weren’t being honest.
I have to commend the Treasury staff while I’m here, particularly, secretary Gary Swain, who is prepared to say the truth despite the political environment, and I commend him on the pre-election financial outlook where he told the truth. $13 billion is the projected debt that we are heading to and it increased from the budget the failed parliament because it was Treasury’s actual honest truth without political interference from treasurers and other advisers.
We cannot sustain that. It is heading for absolute disaster. And we now have the crossbench that are supporting Treasurer Abetz to try and undertake budget repair. This is a man who was responsible for WorkChoices and has a significant trust deficit with the population in managing finances and things that people care about.
We also have a government that is off the back of this ferry fiasco, which has been an international embarrassment, and we’re about to have Spirit IV arrive in the state, which will be great. It’s something that we should all be celebrating. Forty per cent more capacity for our tourism industry, more economic growth, and it’s been embarrassing that that fiasco has taken place. That we couldn’t deliver the berth for our billion dollars’ worth of two new ships. That’s hurt confidence too in the economy.
We’ve had businesspeople talk about that here in committees and other forums, but they weren’t honest about that either. For six months, probably 12 months, leading into the election just gone, I was calling on them to be honest about TT-Line’s finances. They wouldn’t be honest about it. They covered up and then, after the election, I got a phone call in the caretaker period from the former treasurer saying, ‘I’ve just approved the loan facility increase for TT-Line from $990 million to $1.4 billion.’
Great timing – straight after the election. They didn’t want that coming out in the election. He also said it was temporary in his release, which indicates to me that there may be required an equity injection from the Tasmanian budget. So, we’re not seeing the sorts of transparency and integrity from this government that can be trusted for the crossbench to allow them to continue in government.
The deputy leader of the Labor Party went through a whole list of broken promises. I’m not going to go through all of those, but I will touch on one more.
You can bank that TasInsure, their signature policy in the election, is dead and buried and they will never deliver it. It was a cruel hoax to trick Tasmanians who are struggling with insurance premiums to vote for them, and they will be found out in this parliament because it is not deliverable on their financial projections.
MAIB has to maintain a threshold for its own liability. It is not able to deliver another insurance company on their balance sheet. If there is a major event, it will impact our state budget. It is a serious risk to the budget and they will abandon it, because that’s what this premier does. He talks a big game, he will say whatever he has to say to stay in power and then he throws things over the side, and we had that long list from the deputy leader before – all the broken promises of this government.
I’m running out of time. To finish my contribution, I just want to highlight this for the crossbench, because there has been some misrepresentation of the Governor, I think, today and I’ll refer to a statement. It was on 6 August. In it, Her Excellency said:
I consider that the convention of incumbency which allows the parliament to have the final say in who should be the premier should apply in the present circumstances. This will be done promptly, as the Premier will face the parliament to decide who holds confidence when it is recalled on Tuesday, 19 August 2025.
I’ve reappointed the Premier and I leave it to the House of Assembly to determine confidence.
She’s deferring that decision to today in the parliament to determine who holds confidence. Make no mistake, the Greens and other crossbenchers who vote with Premier Rockliff and the Liberal Party today are choosing the honourable Premier Rockliff to be the premier and are, therefore, giving him confidence. The members who vote with Premier Rockliff today are enabling his government to continue.
When the government starts behaving like it always has, you will be stuck with them. There will be no trigger for an early election. You will be stuck with this government for four years because you enabled it. You will own the poor decisions, the backflips and the poor governance. Tasmania will be worse for it, and you will have to live with your decision.
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