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Bass Liberal MHA Michael Ferguson says voters in his electorate could “see a guy who’s had a go” with the health portfolio.
“I think Tasmanians know the health portfolio is, if not the toughest, one of the toughest, jobs in government,” he said.
“I’ve discharged that job to the best of my ability, I believe that I’ve done it with integrity and I believe that Tasmanians, by the way they’ve voted tonight, in continuing to support me, shows signs that they can see a guy who’s really having a go, trying to improve, and working with what we have, including funding and our staff and unions, and good people who want to get better health outcomes.
“They can see a guy who’s had a go and is prepared to continue to roll up his sleeves for better outcomes, including in health for our community.”
Despite saying he wanted to continue as health minister if re-elected while on the campaign trail, Mr Ferguson said on Saturday evening, “you should never ask for a job in government”.
“It’s not exactly the right thing to do - it’s really for the leader of the government, but I certainly am willing to continue to serve in this role if the premier would like me to.”
Mr Ferguson said he felt “very pleased and overwhelmingly grateful” to the people of Bass for re-electing him.
“I’d like to say thank you to my wife Julie and our family and my extended family, but also my Bass family - those 70,000-plus people who vote in Bass.
“We owe them a huge duty when we’re elected to the Tasmanian Parliament, and I intend to give them as much as I’ve ever given.”
After a busy campaign, Mr Ferguson said Saturday was a quieter day.
“I started the day with breakfast at the Harvest Market with Julie. I did the Run For A Wish charity at York Park and spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for tonight.”
EARLIER
Bass Liberal MHA Michael Ferguson is tipped to hold his seat, despite holding the “kiss of death” health portfolio, according to political analyst Kevin Bonham.
With a background in teaching and as chief executive of the Clifford Craig Foundation, Mr Ferguson was first elected to State Parliament in 2010.
That was also after a stint in federal politics from 2004 to 2007.
Mr Ferguson took on the health portfolio under the Hodgman Liberal government.
In the 2014 election, his highest number of votes was in Kings Meadows, with 476 of the Liberals’ 1140 votes, out of 2062 total formal votes at that booth.
He and former Greens leader Kim Booth received the highest number of votes at the Launceston General Hospital, with 131 each of the 685 formal votes.
Mr Ferguson’s 131 votes made up a large portion of the Liberals’ 310 votes at the hospital.
Dr Bonham predicted Mr Ferguson would hold onto his seat in the 2018 election, despite holding the challenging health portfolio.
“[He would] have to lose a very high percentage of his support base and have the Liberals lose a seat to be defeated,” Dr Bonham said.
Mr Ferguson said he would like to continue as health minister if re-elected.
