MP confident in Libs’ team

JUST hours before two senior Government ministers declared their desire to be the state’s next premier, Police Minister Mark Shelton refused to be drawn on questions about the Liberal leadership.

Mr Shelton was yesterday morning the first state Liberal party member to speak publicly since Will Hodgman announced on Tuesday he would be resigning.

Mr Shelton said Mr Hodgman’s resignation took him and many others by surprise, and brushed off questions on who would be his preferred leader.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein and State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson have both put their hands up for the top job, while Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff has ruled himself out.

“Whoever is selected will make a great leader. I will be part of that strong team and

I’m sure we’ll get straight back into it and building on the performance of the Will Hodgman legacy,’’ Mr Shelton said.

“Will Hodgman has been a fantastic leader for the Liberal party, but no one is indispensable.

“He’s going now partly because he wanted to give the new leader an opportunity to work with the Tasmanian community and I’m sure whoever is chosen will do a great job.”

Mr Shelton paid tribute to Mr Hodgman’s almost six-year tenure as premier and his almost 18 years in parliament.

“He has been my leader of course for 10 years since I’ve been in parliament,’’ he said.

“He’s a fantastic bloke, he’s done a marvellous job for the Tasmanian community and he leaves some big shoes to fill.

“He has been a wonderful friend and a great leader over my time here.”