Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has defended the decision to keep Michael Ferguson as Treasurer despite his resignation as Infrastructure Minister.
Ferguson stepped down from the Infrastructure portfolio on Monday following a turbulent period marked by Spirit of Tasmania project delays and cost blowouts.
On Tuesday, Rockliff praised Ferguson’s work ethic and thanked him for delivering major infrastructure projects like the Bridgewater Bridge, Royal Hobart Hospital rebuild and Midland Highway upgrades.
“Michael is a very diligent member of the Parliament, has been since 2010, works extraordinarily hard in all his ministerial portfolios and I have to say, he’s got some serious runs on the board,” Rockliff said.
“Michael takes ministerial responsibility and accountability very, very seriously [and] has also got a huge job ahead of him when it comes to producing a budget on 12 September as well.”
Rockliff said he did not ask Ferguson to resign.
“I’ve got enormous faith in the people I have around me, not only the people in cabinet but also we’ve got some great people right across our Parliamentary Liberal Party,” he said.
“Every single one of them is hardworking, committed, passionate about their communities and I’m very, very proud of all our members, what they’re doing for their communities and for Tasmania.”
