Tasmanian’s new Northern ministers have their work cut out for them.
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True to speculation, Premier Will Hodgman announced a third minister for Bass when he revealed his cabinet on Tuesday.
Former parliamentary secretary and second-term MP Sarah Courtney has picked up two portfolios: racing, and primary industries and water.
Both are credits for Ms Courtney’s work: she’ll be the first female minister for both portfolios, a nice nod for her in the political history books of Tasmania.
It also shows that Mr Hodgman has faith in her abilities, the second of her roles brings with it the inherited burden of fruit fly.
Upon further examination, it appears a lot of Mr Hodgman’s faith has migrated up the Midland Highway. Bass’ Peter Gutwein has retained his triple-threat status: Treasurer, State Growth, local government.
Many speculated that Michael Ferguson would remain health minister. They were proven wrong when Mr Ferguson’s responsibilities swelled: he’s now Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, plus health, plus science and technology.
It will be a big four years for Mr Ferguson. His department committed to a record $757 million health policy in the lead-up to the election. In December, he vowed to restructure the recently restructured Tasmanian Health System.
As Police Minister, he’ll be working alongside reinstated Corrections Minister Elise Archer to pull together the Northern prison that the community has been demanding.
When Bass looks west to its neighbours in Braddon, the commitment continues: second-term MP Roger Jaensch has been given the hefty and new portfolio of Housing Minister, alongside human services, and planning.
The former role was nabbed from Franklin MP Jacquie Petrusma, who always looked unlikely to keep the portfolio after her department was plagued with child protection and Safe Pathway issues.
Of course there’s no ignoring the elephant in the room – Braddon’s Adam Brooks is the lone backbencher, a hangover from the “email audit-gate” of 2017. His humour-heavy election ads got some traction with some voters, but he lost 6000 first-preference votes from 2014 to 2018.
The weight has begun to shift to the North. On paper, our ministers look strong enough. Let’s hope they can carry the load.
