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Tasmanian govt, ALP leader made official

Tasmania's Labor party has elected a new leader, while the state's Liberal government has been sworn in.

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New Tasmanian premier Will Hodgman (centre) with governor Peter Underwood (right) and members of cabinet at Government House in Hobart

Tasmania officially has a new government and a new opposition leader.

Will Hodgman is the state's 45th premier after being sworn in at Government House to lead Tasmania's first Liberal government in 16 years.

A smiling Mr Hodgman and his eight cabinet colleagues took oaths before Governor Peter Underwood, family and Liberal party staff.

Across town, at Parliament House, Labor's caucus was thrashing out the leadership issue, with former deputy premier Bryan Green unanimously winning a caucus vote.

Mr Green's elevation came after outgoing premier Lara Giddings resigned and nominated her deputy, saying the party needed to unite.

Ms Giddings had said she'd be a candidate for opposition leader if her party wanted her, but her preferred premier rating struggled to get above the low 20s during her three-year reign.

The Tasmanian ALP was to become the first state branch in the country to instigate a ballot including rank and file members, but the unanimous vote meant it was not needed.

Former health minister Michelle O'Byrne will be Mr Green's deputy.

Mr Green, 56, began his working life as a fitter and machinist at a Burnie paper mill before his election to parliament in 1998.

"I come from an industrial background, worked on the tools for 19 years," he said.

"It gives me a balance."

He was forced to step down from the ministry in 2006 after allegations about his dealings with the Tasmanian Compliance Corporation.

Mr Green faced charges but juries could not reach verdicts at a trial in 2007 and retrial in 2008.

"I've certainly learnt form that whole process. It's made me a much tougher individual," he told reporters in Hobart.

"Obviously, I proclaimed my innocence the whole way through that process and don't forget I've had a couple of light plane crashes in between.

"I am a survivor and the things that don't kill you just make you stronger."

It had been speculated Mr Green would be appointed as an interim leader to rebuild the party before a younger successor took over.

But he committed to leading it to the next election due in four years.

Ms Giddings said she had no intention of quitting parliament to allow defeated potential leader David O'Byrne to take her seat on a count-back.


3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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