Tasmania’s Government Witnesses Reshuffling After the Departure of 2 Ministers in a Week

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced the return of former Minister Jacquie Petrusma and the addition of former Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent to his Cabinet in changes forced by the resignations of his deputy and finance minister.

Petrusma will be given portfolios in health, veterans’ affairs, and Aboriginal affairs, while Vincent will become minister for infrastructure and local government. She had previously held the Aboriginal affairs role.

Guy Barnett, who became deputy premier the day after his predecessor resigned, becomes Treasurer while retaining the roles of Attorney-General and Justice Minister.

The new portfolio presents Barnett with a significant challenge, considering the state budget forecasts that net debt will more than double to $8.6 billion in 2027/28.

When asked about balancing the roles, he said he was “very confident” and did not “mind hard work.”

Former Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson was forced into a resignation when Labor, independents, the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN), and the Greens indicated they intended to move a no-confidence motion over his oversight of delays and cost blowouts in the delivery of new $900 million Spirit of Tasmania ferries.

Their combined opposition gave them the numbers to prevail over the minority government, leaving Ferguson no choice.

But Barnett has also faced extensive scrutiny late last year over his alleged role in a grant for a Liberal-linked distillery in New Norfolk, and six years ago, Petrusma was removed as Human Services Minister after a lengthy series of public scandals.

1 Week, 2 Resignations

With the government trying to deliver a “business as usual” message after the loss of one of its most experienced ministers, just a few days later, Nic Street, the Minister for Finance, Local Government, and Sport and Events, announced he would be resigning after facing mental health struggles.

“As the government approaches the 200-day mark since being elected … I am confident that the refreshed cabinet will keep Tasmania moving forward,” the Liberal premier said.

Asked during the announcement whether a reshuffle so early in a parliamentary term would mean certainty, he replied, “It’s an indication that we’re getting on with the job.”

The premier’s portfolio has been halved in the reshuffle, with Vincent given the infrastructure portfolio and Felix Ellis handed the small business and consumer affairs portfolio.

Tasmanian Labor was critical of the new Cabinet’s composition, with Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie accusing the Liberal government of having “completely run out of new ideas.”

“The premier clearly isn’t interested in taking charge of Tasmania’s biggest issues and has effectively given up on his own government,” he said.

Willie said Rockliff had “handballed” the infrastructure portfolio to Vincent after “saying he was going to take over.”

AAP contributed to this report