Tasmania's newest premier, Jeremy Rockliff, has confirmed he will retain his health and mental health portfolios as he steps into the government's top job.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state's 47th premier confirmed his commitment to the health portfolios in his maiden address on Thursday morning.
"Mental health and wellbeing is very important to me. It is something I have personally championed for many years, and knowing it leads to a happy and fulfilling life is something I want for all Tasmanians," he said.
"The importance of health and mental health is so important to me that I can confirm as Premier, I will retain these portfolios to deliver the health system Tasmanians deserve."
Speaking from Hobart, Mr Rockliff said along with education and housing, health would remain one of the top priorities for his government.
Tasmanian health and mental health stakeholders have welcomed the decision saying Mr Rockliff is still the best person for the job.
Newstead Medical Practice partner Dr Toby Gardner said his experience with Mr Rockliff had been positive and expected the relationship to continue.
"He's going to have a huge workload, having health and being in the top job, but he really understands health and he would be the best person in the current government to be the health minister," he said.
"He's really engaged with all of us as stakeholders and he's really receptive, so we're wrapped that he's staying in both of those positions at the moment."
Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive Connie Digolis said she was pleased the Premier would retain both portfolios, and mental health would remain independent.
"We're relieved to see that the separate portfolio of mental health and well being is going to be maintained, that is certainly something that is very important to us," she said.
"It's great to know that we're not going to have a disruption to that and that there's a continuity of that relationship.
Ms Digolis said for a Premier to hold the portfolio for mental health was a sign the issue was a priority for the government.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.examiner.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @examineronline
- Follow us on Instagram: @examineronline
Follow us on Google News: The Examiner
Andrew Chounding
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
