TAS: The new-look Labor team
Following the strong win in the March 18 State election, Premier Paul Lennon has announced a new-look Labor team to take Tasmania forward.
Date: 05 April 2006
THE PREMIER, Mr Lennon, has announced the membership of Tasmania’s new Cabinet following a meeting of the Parliamentary Labor Party in Hobart today. Mr Lennon said he was proud to lead a ministerial team rich in youthful vigour and previous Cabinet experience into the 46th Tasmanian Parliament.
“I have absolute confidence that this is the very best possible team to ensure Tasmania’s continued progress. This is a team that combines seasoned ministerial performers and Labor’s bright new talent in the best possible way.
“We are grateful for the strong mandate Tasmanians have given Labor, which only reinforces our determination to deliver a better future for all people in our State.”
Mr Lennon said Tasmanians could look forward to continued strong leadership from Labor and he was pleased to have Bryan Green unanimously endorsed to work alongside him as Deputy Premier.
“ Bryan has proven himself in a range of challenging portfolios and the time is right for him to step up into the leadership team. The high regard Bryan is held in by people in his local community, as evidenced by his high personal vote in Braddon, is proof that he has the skills to balance his commitment to representing his constituents at the same time as delivering results in demanding portfolio areas.”
Mr Green becomes Minister for Economic Development and Sport and Recreation and retains responsibility for the Resources portfolio.
Mr Lennon will take on the new Local Government and Community Development portfolio, which will see an Office of Children and Youth Affairs established within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Responsibility for child protection remains with the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Premier will also have responsibility for Aboriginal Affairs, Multicultural Tasmania, the new Disability Bureau, the Seniors Bureau and Women Tasmania. David Llewellyn takes on the challenging Energy, Primary Industries, Water and Police and Emergency Management portfolios, now including the Tasmania Fire Service.
Mr Lennon said he had promoted two of Labor’s most promising young members to the key portfolios of health and education. Lara Giddings takes over as Minister for Health and Human Services and David Bartlett has been promoted into Cabinet as Minister for Education.
“Labor has already invested heavily in our health system and I made it clear during the election campaign that there is much more to come. I have full confidence in Lara to build on what we have achieved and develop a modern health system that meets the needs of all Tasmanians.
“ David Bartlett has quickly established himself as a forward-thinking Member of Parliament with a strong vision for the future of Tasmania. Our young people are our future and I’m convinced there’s no better person to oversee the education of our children than David.”
Mr Lennon said experienced MLC Michael Aird would be Tasmania’s new Treasurer and Minister for Racing.
“ Michael has previous ministerial experience and in more recent times has engineered the successful passage of key Government legislation, such as our shop trading reforms and Aboriginal land return, through the Legislative Council.”
“ Doug Parkinson is also a very capable parliamentary performer and he succeeds Michael as the Government’s Leader in the Upper House, with Lin Thorp as his deputy and Allison Ritchie as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.”
Mr Lennon said Steve Kons’ legal background made him a sound choice to replace retiring Judy Jackson as Attorney-General. Mr Kons also takes on the Justice, Planning and Workplace Relations portfolios.
The new Workplace Relations portfolio includes Workplace Standards and Industrial Relations, a key responsibility in the defence of Tasmanian workers’ rights against Canberra’s radical industrial relations agenda.
Paula Wriedt continues as Tourism Minister, also taking on arts and environment, including heritage and parks. Jim Cox becomes Minister for Infrastructure, including the new Tasmanian Ports Corporation, TT-Line, roads, bridges, rail, Metro, transport and traffic regulation and the MAIB.
Incoming Bass MHA Michelle O’Byrne has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Pembroke MLC Allison Ritchie as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer. Michael Polley remains Speaker of the House of Assembly, with Brenton Best as Deputy Speaker and Graeme Sturges as Government Whip.
Mr Lennon said he had recommended to the Governor that State Parliament not be recalled until May 30 due to the upcoming Legislative Council elections.
The Labor Ministry and other appointments:
Paul Lennon
Premier
Minister for Local Government and Community Development
Bryan Green
Deputy Premier
Minister for Economic Development and Resources
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Michael Aird
Treasurer
Minister for Racing
David Bartlett
Minister for Education
Jim Cox
Minister for Infrastructure
Lara Giddings
Minister for Health and Human Services
Steve Kons
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for Workplace Relations
Minister for Planning
David Llewellyn
Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Minister for Police and Emergency Management
Minister for Energy
Paula Wriedt
Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment
Doug Parkinson
Leader for the Government in the Legislative Council
Lin Thorp
Deputy Leader for the Government in the Legislative
Council
Michael Polley
Speaker
Brenton Best
Deputy Speaker
Graeme Sturges
Government Whip
Michelle O’Byrne
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
Allison Ritchie
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer
