Today I am announcing changes to the internal line-up of my Cabinet, to ensure our Government can best deliver on our long term plan and do what matters most for all Tasmanians.
As I have already outlined, I will be handing over the reins of health to a very capable member of my team and taking an increased focus on driving Tasmania’s economic growth and creating more jobs.
As well as Premier, I will be the Minister for State Development, Trade and the Antarctic. I will also be the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality. And, as I’ve previously mentioned, I will remain the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
In making these changes, I want to send a strong message about the priorities of the Government I lead – my Liberal Government backs economic growth and job creation.
A confident and strong economy means we will have the resources to invest in things like cost of living relief, health and housing – making our state the best place to live, work and raise a family.
After nine years of Liberal Government, Tasmania’s economy is leading the pack. However, Tasmania is not immune to the global and domestic economic headwinds.
The triple threat of inflation, rising interest rates and a slowdown in the national economy is causing uncertainty and threatening both business and consumer confidence.
That’s why I have decided now is the time that I should take on State Development, with direct responsibility for the Department of State Growth and key economic drivers within it, in particular business development.
We learned when we came to Government in 2014 and turned around the Labor-Green recession, that confidence is king.
Tasmanian businesses need confidence, Tasmanians need certainty, and that’s what I’m delivering with this and the other changes I have announced over the past week.
In addition, I am bringing Tourism and Hospitality back together, and under a Premier again. Tourism and hospitality are major economic powerhouses, especially in our regions. Visitors are travelling to our state in record numbers, and my Government is focussed on seizing the opportunities this brings.
I will also be adding the Antarctic to my focus. We’re not only the gateway to the Antarctic, we are leaders in science, research, logistics and services capabilities. It was clear when I visited Japan and the Republic of Korea this year that there is enormous potential to grow our Antarctic industry, and further strengthen our economy.
By taking on these new portfolios, I will continue to deliver on our long term plan, and do what matters for all Tasmanians.
I’m very pleased to announce that Minister Guy Barnett will be Tasmania’s Minister for Health.
Minister Barnett has represented Tasmanians at the Federal and State level now for almost two decades.
Minister Barnett has been a passionate advocate in his past and current Ministries, and I believe he will bring that same passion and drive to Health. Minister Barnett is a Diabetes Australia Ambassador, a commitment that is driven by his own experience with Type 1 diabetes.
In 2006, he established with Diabetes Tasmania the Pollie Pedal and has cycled every year to raise awareness and funds for Tasmanians with diabetes and their families. Minister Barnett is also a former Ambassador for Motor Neurone Disease Australia.
I have every confidence that Tasmania’s health care system is in the very best of hands and we will continue to see investment, innovation and improved health outcomes for Tasmanians under Minister Barnett’s leadership.
Minister Nic Street will take on additional responsibilities, including Minister for Housing and Construction. He will also be the Minister for Stadia and Events.
Minister Jo Palmer will take on the Community Services and Development portfolio.
Minister Madeleine Ogilvie will be the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence.
And Minister Felix Ellis will be the Minister for Racing.
I’m very grateful to have such a strong team of talented and passionate Ministers.
Over the past nine years, our Government has demonstrated that our long term plan delivers a strong economy.
This week, we again recorded a record low unemployment rate of 3.8 per cent.
We’re leading the country in CommSec’s economic rankings, and I look forward to the next results tomorrow.
Our Government returned the budget to surplus, which meant we could invest almost $2 billion to support Tasmanians through COVID.
We have the second lowest debt per capita in the nation, and we’ve done this while still having the lowest taxes of any State.
None of this has happened by chance. This is the result of sticking to our long term plan, being disciplined with our own spending, while creating an environment for the private sector to invest.
The changes I announced today will ensure our Government can continue to deliver on our long term plan, and deliver what matters most to all Tasmanians.
Please see link to new Cabinet responsibilities here.
