Who is the new man at the seat of power?
PERSONAL
Peter Carl Gutwein Age 55
Born in England and raised in Nunamara, Launceston.
Educated at Myrtle Park Primary School and Queechy High School.
Qualified financial adviser with post graduate qualifications in Business Administration from Deakin University.
He is married with two children and lives in the Tamar Valley. He has strong ties to Bridport and NorthEast Tasmania.
A former footballer, he is also a black belt instructor in taekwondo.
PROFESSIONAL
Mr Gutwein’s career in financial services included senior management positions in Australia and Europe.
Before being elected to State Parliament he owned and managed the Bridport Bay Inn.
POLITICAL
Mr Gutwein’s association with the Liberal Party began in the mid-1990s, including two years as an adviser to Howard Government Minister and Tasmanian Senator Jocelyn Newman.
He was first elected in July 2002 as Member for Bass. In his inaugural speech he raised concerns about
Tasmania’s lagging economy, linking a strong economy with improved health outcomes and quality of life.
He said: “Healthy, wealthy and wise the majority of Tasmanians deserve to be, but unfortunately for many this is not the reality. This situation demands action.”
In 2003 he developed a reputation as a Liberal rebel, voting against his party in support of a Greens motion for a commission of inquiry into child abuse.
Mr Gutwein became Treasurer in 2014 following the election of the Hodgman Liberal Government.
His time as Treasurer has coincided with a period of economic growth for Tasmania. His supporters have hailed Mr Gutwein’s economic strategies as contributing to the state’s improved fortunes. However Mr Gutwein’s critics say budget surpluses have been built on cuts to jobs and services, raiding government businesses and taking on unsustainable debt.
Yesterday, Mr Gutwein became the 46th Premier of Tasmania following the resignation of Premier Will Hodgman. He was unopposed after Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson withdrew from the race.