Clark MP Josh Willie has been elected unopposed as the new leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party.
He replaces Dean Winter following the party’s recent election defeat and failed attempt to bring down the Liberal government.
Bass MP Janie Finlay was also elected deputy leader without opposition, taking over from Anita Dow.
Opposition Whip Meg Brown confirmed the leadership changes in a brief statement on Tuesday.
Willie, in a brief statement, described his election as “a great honour”.
“Tasmanian Labor has a proud history and I look forward to giving this role everything I’ve got to return Labor to government,” Willie said.
He thanked Winter for his service, calling him “a proud Tasmanian with strong Labor values” who would continue working to improve Tasmania.
Winter accepted full responsibility for the election result in his farewell statement, saying it was “understandable that Labor has a new leader moving forward.”
“Leading the Labor Party has been the honour of my life,” Winter said.
Despite the election loss, Winter defended his time as leader, highlighting Labor’s success in blocking what he called the “disastrous 2025-26 Barnett budget” and stopping Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s privatisation agenda.
“I will never resile from standing strong and true to my word, especially when it comes to Tasmanian workers and traditional industries, including salmon workers and the racing community I care deeply about,” he said.
“My word is my bond. I knew if I sold out the workers, like Jeremy Rockliff has, I could have been premier. I could never do that.”
He will remain as the Labor member for Franklin.
Willie is expected to face the media on Thursday as he begins his tenure leading the opposition.
