CONTENDERS FOR THE TOP JOB

PREMIER Will Hodgman has announced his intention to quit state politics, saying he was proud of his role in turning the state’s fortunes around, but it was time for a new leader.

The announcement came in a snap afternoon press conference in Hobart yesterday, called after the first Cabinet meeting for the year.

It took all but his family and closest political confidants by surprise.

Mr Hodgman’s announcement was attended by his wife and two if their three children, his mother and sisters and Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff.

His replacement as state Liberal Party leader will be elected at a party meeting next week and he will formally inform Governor Kate Warner of his immediate resignation from Parliament soon afterwards.

The state’s 45th Premier has held the office for almost six years, leading the Liberals for eight years in opposition before taking them to election victories in 2014 and 2018 — only the second time a Tasmanian Liberal leader has won two elections in a row.

He said his proudest achievement was presiding over a period of economic resurgence for the state, taking it from “laggard to leader”.

The Premier said he had reached his decision to leave politics over the Christmas break — picking the middle of the parliamentary term as the ideal time to give a new leader time to settle in.

“I am announcing today I be resigning as a member of our state parliament, the leader of the Liberal Party and the Premier of Tasmania,” he told reporters.

“I have, this morning, informed my Cabinet colleagues and the Prime Minister of what was a very difficult decision.

“I have been premier for just on six years, and leader of the Liberal Party for 14.

“I have given the job, which is an enormous privilege and one I have loved, absolutely everything.”

Mr Hodgman said he left the job “without regrets, without excuses” and said he had no job to go to but said he was “looking forward to becoming financially independent” – a lighthearted reference to the words of departing British royal Prince Harry.

He did not anoint a successor. “I will let that process unfold as I should, extending a courtesy to my colleagues who will work with that new leader,” he said.

Deputy leader Jeremy Rockliff, Treasurer Peter Gutwein and Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson are considered frontrunners.

The new premier is also likely to reshuffle the ministry and will need to reassign Mr Hodgman’s portfolios including Tourism and Trade.

First elected as the member for Franklin in 2002 when his father Michael was still the member for the neighbouring seat of Denison, Mr Hodgman also listed among his proudest achievements education reform, tackling domestic and sexual violence, boosting the state’s tourism industry and agricultural exports.

“I leave the job with Tasmania now a much better place than when we started. We have turned Tasmania around,” he said.

“For the first time ever our economy is the strongest performing in the country. Tasmanian businesses are the most confident in the country, and they are employing more Tasmanians.

“There are now over 18,000 more jobs than when we came into government, and 1600 new Tasmanian businesses.

“It just doesn’t happen by luck. We have delivered the most positive business conditions in the country for them to prosper.

“I am extremely proud to have led a government that has played its part in the turnaround the state.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to Mr Hodg man as a “Tasmanian and Liberal legend”. “In his maiden speech, Will paid tribute to the tremendous role model his father was, including as a fellow parliamentarian, hoping to display the same level of passion, commitment and service to the community,” Mr Morrison said.

“I think the record shows, Will, you have done that in spades over your more than 17 year parliamentary career and your father would be rightly proud.

“Will has been not just a leader for Tasmania, but a tremendous friend and support to me.

“I wish him, Nicky and their family all the best as they move to this next stage.”

Mr Hodgman became Liberal Party leader after the 2006 state election, replacing Rene Hidding.

The Liberals failed to wrest power from Labor at the 2010 election, when the major parties took 10 seats each and Labor’s David Bartlett entered into a power-sharing agreement with the Greens.

In office, he united the often conflicting left and right wings of his party, delivering an agenda to boost business and growth, despite criticism of a lack of zeal for deeper reform.

Mr Hodgman enjoyed enormous personal popularity in his seat of Franklin, taking 27,184 first preference votes in the 2018 election — a record for a Tasmanian state election.

His departure means a recount in the seat of Franklin.

The vacancy is almost certain to see Liberal candidate Nic Street elected, should he nominate to stand.

I leave the job with Tasmania now a much better place than when we started. We have turned Tasmania around PREMIER HODGMAN