D-Day looming
PREMER Will Hodgman has promised to reveal who will take over the duties performed by senior minister Matt Groom “as soon as possible”.
State Cabinet met yesterday to discuss how to handle the fallout from Mr Groom’s sudden resignation.
His departure creates a serious pre-election headache for Mr Hodgman, who said the Liberals had plenty of depth to pick up Mr Groom’s portfolio responsibilities.
Mr Hodgman must find candidates to take over as Minister for State Growth, Minister for Energy and Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage and reassign the jobs of Justice Minister and Attorney-General, which Mr Groom was filling on a temporary basis to fill in for Vanessa Goodwin, who is unwell.
Elise Archer, Roger Jaensch and Mark Shelton were those most widely tipped for promotion.
“It will not be a problem for us to replace Matt Groom — with the greatest respect to Matt who has been a wonderful part of our team,” Mr Hodgman said.
“This is an opportunity for renewal. Matt Groom has done a tremendous job and we’ll miss him — but it is time for him to move on, it’s time for someone else to step up and an opportunity presents.
“It’s very hard to argue with someone who makes a decision that is in the best interests of his family.”
He said an announcement would be made “in due course” on whether Mr Groom’s portfolios would be reallocated to ministers, if there would be a wider reshuffle, or if backbenchers would be promoted.
“Needless to say, this an- nouncement was very sudden, just three days ago,” he said.
Mr Groom announced on Saturday that he was resigning immediately from Cabinet and would not contest the next election.
“There is no greater privilege than family and I think that is truly wonderful news,” Mr Groom said at the time.
“I think today we can say that family trumps politics.”
He attended yesterday’s Cabinet meeting and remains as a minister until his formal resignation has been tendered to Governor Kate Warner — something expected as soon as his successors are announced.
Mr Hodgman did not give a precise timeline for a decision on who would fill the vacant ministerial slots — although a quick decision is expected.
“We’ll make announcements about any changes to the ministerial line-up and what happens next as soon as we are able,” he said.
“We won’t rush. This is a very important decision for government. We put a very high value on giving Tasmanians stability and certainty.
“Yes, this decision was out of the blue, but importantly Tasmanians can be confident that we will also do what is in the best interests of the state and that is ensuring good solid government.”
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