Now the hard work begins

AS FAR as presentation styles go, Tasmania’s 46th Premier — Peter Gutwein — couldn’t be more different than outgoing premier Will Hodgman.

Mr Hodgman, who resigned last week after nearly 18 years as leader of the Liberal Party in Tasmania was charismatic, polished and seldom, if ever, flustered.

Mr Gutwein on the other hand can come across prickly — even yesterday as he took questions at a press conference following the announcement of his election he, at times, seemed impatient.

He conceded himself that Mr Hodgman was a hard act to follow, joking that he was “certainly a better-looking bloke”.

But for all the differences between the two men, the party’s decision to back Mr Gutwein, who was first elected in 2002 in the northern seat of Bass, was very much an endorsement of the status quo.

In giving the 55-year-old father of two the top job, Tasmanian Liberals are signalling that they agree with the direction the government has taken and that they believe a business-as-usual approach is what is needed to see the party win again at the next election.

Mr Gutwein was appointed without the need for a ballot when Michael Ferguson withdrew his candidacy early yesterday morning knowing he would not secure the numbers. It was also an important signal for the party to send, showing voters it could come to an agreement and unite through this next phase of leadership.

However, that public battle lines were drawn in the first place does plant a seed of doubt.

There will be a Cabinet shuffle but Mr Gutwein, who before politics held senior management positions in financial services in Europe, was at pains to stress it would only lead to minor changes.

As Treasurer, Mr Gutwein already held one of the most important roles in government. He’s across the detail and will need only to share out Mr Hodgman’s other portfolios, should the Premier decide to stay on as Treasurer. For all the talk of continuity, there was some unexpected messaging from Mr Gutwein.

“Our government will be a government of conviction, compassion and importantly, opportunity for all,” he said.

Conviction and opportunity are ambitions you would expect to hear from a Liberal Party leader but his emphasis on compassion revealed a selfawareness of his government’s weaknesses.

Mr Gutwein said as the son of immigrants he wanted to create a state of opportunity for all Tasmanians no matter where they lived or what their circumstances. Tasmania has enjoyed one of the best periods of economic prosperity, but Mr Gutwein is right to acknowledge that the spoils haven’t been shared evenly and that the success has brought growing pains.

Health and housing are two areas the Mercury has consistently highlighted as pinch points for Tasmanians and the new Premier knows he will need to make inroads into tackling those two issues.

Climate change has been thrust on to the broader national agenda due to devastating weather events, in particular this year’s bush fire season and Mr Gutwein signposted action to protect the environment would be a key priority.

Fundamentally though, his plan is to stay the course and he left the public in no doubt – he wouldn’t be changing his own personal style.

Whether the strategy is a successful one or not will be judged only at the next state election.

Responsibility for all editorial comment is taken by the Editor, Jenna Cairney, Level 1, 2 Salamanca Square, Hobart, TAS, 7000