Abetz in, Barnett out as treasurer in Tasmanian Liberals cabinet shuffle

Australia Broadcast Center

7 hours ago

Former federal MPs Bridget Archer and Gavin Pearce are new faces in Premier Jeremy Rockliff's latest cabinet, Roger Jaensch has been dumped, and Deputy Premier Guy Barnett moved on as treasurer.
Ms Archer has been appointed to the demanding health portfolio, replacing Jacquie Petrusma, who has stepped down to focus on her recovery from a serious hamstring injury she suffered in June.
Mr Pearce will be the minister for primary industries and water, and veterans affairs, replacing former children and youth minister Roger Jaensch.
Mr Barnett has been moved from the treasury portfolio following an immense backlash over this year's state budget, which projected that net debt would grow to almost $11 billion in the 2028-29 financial year. Eric Abetz will take on the portfolio.
Mr Rockliff will have no ministerial responsibilities in his new-look cabinet after he was re-commissioned by Governor Barbara Baker on Wednesday, saying he wanted to concentrate on his duties as premier.
"It's important that with the new make-up of parliament that I'm able to dedicate the time to working across all areas of parliament and the crossbench, so I can have greater opportunity and investment of time in collaboration and listening and learning from all members of parliament," he said.
Mr Rockliff said Ms Archer, who has also been appointed to the new ageing portfolio and as minister for Aboriginal affairs, would be a great addition to his cabinet.
Mr Rockliff said Mr Barnett had not been dumped as treasurer, but was instead taking on "increased responsibility" by also adding the justice and small business portfolios.
"There was a range of areas of responsibility, and I want to ensure that each member of parliament has the right workload balance to be able to support them in making key decisions," he said.
Education Minister Jo Palmer will also become the children and youth minister, and be responsible for the closure of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
Mr Abetz will remain responsible for the government's proposed AFL stadium, in a renamed role as minister for Macquarie Point urban renewal.
Mr Rockliff said he was confident his new cabinet would remain in place for the next four years, despite his government being expected to face a no-confidence motion as soon as parliament resumes on August 19.
Labor Leader Dean Winter, who met with all five Independent MPs on Thursday as he continued his bid to form a minority government, has confirmed his party or a crossbench MP will move a no-confidence motion.
The premier said Mr Winter had "had learnt nothing" from last month's state election, where Labor suffered a 3.1 per cent statewide swing against it.
"What Tasmanians want is a stable parliament, a government that works across the parliament in the best interests of Tasmanians and a government that can get on with the job of delivering key areas of our agenda, but also key areas of passions for other MPs as well," he said.
Ms Archer, who topped the poll in her seat of Bass after being defeated at this year's federal election, said she looked forward to taking on the challenge of the health portfolio.
She said the government had made great strides in reducing the elective surgery waiting list under Ms Petrusma's leadership, and hoped to "continue the momentum".
"I very much look forward to being able to work collaboratively with the parliament and across stakeholders in our community in what is, I think, one of our most important areas of responsibility in northern Tasmania and right across Tasmania," she said.
Mr Rockliff said he had great admiration for Ms Petrusma, and "her diligence over the course of the last 15 or 16 months as she has dedicated her time to the health system".