Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has announced he is resigning from politics, saying he can “no longer give 110 per cent”.
Key points:
- Peter Gutwein says he had “focused on everyone else’s family. I now want to spend some time focusing on my own”
- He has led the Tasmanian Liberal government since Will Hodgman resigned from politics in 2020
- He said he would remain the Premier “until the party elects a new leader”
At a press conference in Launceston on Monday, Mr Gutwein said: “I’ve focused on everyone else’s family, I now want to spend some time focusing on my own.”
“It is with some sadness that I leave, but I know the foundations that have been laid, the path has been laid out that a new leader will be able to make their own, and importantly, make their own decisions moving forward,” he said.
The 57-year-old said he would remain Premier until the Liberal Party elected his replacement later this week.
He said Parliament would be prorogued until after Easter.
Mr Gutwein detailed the toll that the last two years had taken on him, with much of his time dedicated to managing the COVID pandemic.
“What I’ve found after the last two years especially is I have nothing left in the tank to give,” Mr Gutwein said.
Mr Gutwein said the demands of the job had significantly restricted his time with his family over summer.
“My wife and kids have just been outstanding in their support, but that period through Christmas completely drained me,” he said.
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There will be a recount in the seat of Bass for his replacement in state parliament.
“I know that I leave the state in a good place and with a team that can build on the foundations that have been made,” he said.
In August 2021, Mr Gutwein was admitted to hospital after becoming unwell at his office.
He was released the next day and took several days off to recover from what was an undisclosed illness.
Mr Gutwein was elected by the Tasmanian Liberals to replace Will Hodgman in January 2020, after Mr Hodgman quit politics.
He hails from Tasmania’s north, is a qualified black belt instructor in Tae Kwon Do and a former footballer.
Labor praise, Liberals surprised
Opposition Leader Rebecca White said she thanked Mr Gutwein for his service to the people of Tasmania.
“Mr Gutwein has governed through some of the most difficult times as Tasmanian faced the scourge of COVID-19,” she said.
“I wish him and his family well for the future.”
Senior Liberal senator Eric Abetz paid tribute to “an outstanding premier” saying Mr Gutwein took the reins unexpectedly when former leader Will Hodgman resigned.
“It is a sad day for Tasmania but it is fully understandable that he wants more time to spend time with his family,” he said.
“A big, big thank your to Peter from the Tasmanian community and to his family for making him available 24/7 in these exceptional times.”
Senator Abetz said he was “shocked and surprised” at the news.
“Even at midday today I was not aware that was even in the offing,” he said.
