Tasmania’s new-look government has officially been sworn in at Government House in Hobart by Governor Barbara Baker.
Following a cabinet reshuffle prompted by the ministerial resignations of Micheal Ferguson and Nic Street, Deputy Premier Guy Barnett has taken on the role of Treasurer.
Barnett will also hold onto his positions as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
Jacquie Petrusma and Kerry Vincent are the two new faces in cabinet, with Petrusma, a registered nurse, responsible for Health, Aboriginal Affairs and Veterans’ Affairs and former Sorell Mayor Vincent overseeing Infrastructure and Local Government.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff will maintain his portfolios in Tourism, Trade and Major Investment, while Nick Duigan keeps Energy & Renewables and Parks and adds Sports and Events to his responsibilities.
Other portfolio changes include Felix Ellis taking on Consumer Affairs, Jane Howlett assuming Hospitality and Small Business, Roger Jaensch adding Finance and Mental Health and Wellbeing and Madeleine Ogilvie incorporating Science and Technology into a new portfolio of Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy.
Jo Palmer will become Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, while Simon Wood is the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Government Whip.
Simon Behrakis will become Rockliff’s Parliamentary Secretary, supporting Minister Ellis as Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Planning and Rob Fairs will take on the new role of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Engagement.
