Tasmania’s new Infrastructure Minister Vincent Kerry says he is “excited” to get out and about to meet with locals and understand the importance of projects across the state.
Kerry, who was a councillor for 12 years and mayor of the Sorell Council for eight years, was appointed to the role by Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Friday.
He replaces Michael Ferguson, who resigned from the position earlier this month.
“I don’t know if anybody’s ever perfectly prepared, but I’ve had all my life in and around the construction industry,” Kerry said.
“With my years as mayor dealing with state and federal governments and infrastructure projects of various sizes, yes, I do feel that I’m in a perfect position to take on this portfolio.”
He said his first priority is to get out and about over the next few weeks to talk to people involved in projects, including the community.
“I can’t do anything about the past,” he said.
“What I can do is summarise what’s happening at the moment and the importance of those projects and use every ability I have and passion and vision, enthusiasm, all those things, to make these projects happen.”
He said he expects to work with government business enterprises (GBEs) and the Premier to make decisions about the Spirit of Tasmania’s birthing solution.
“I think my approach has always been fairly conciliatory,” he said.
“I certainly will be talking with the GBEs that I’m involved with and all the projects, taking a lot of briefing and advice and sitting down and talking to all people concerned.”
Kerry will also take on the Local Government portfolio, a role he says he will approach with a focus on sustainability.
“I think we have to stop using the word amalgamation and merger all the time and talk about sustainability,” he said.
“The big pressure on most councils is the different parts of their makeup that puts financial pressure on them and most ratepayers aren’t aware of that.”
He said he would work with councils across the state to discuss their sustainability in the short, medium and long term.
