On behalf of the Tasmanian Liberal Party I would like to express our sincere thanks to Peter Gutwein.

Peter has been an outstanding servant of the Tasmanian community. Peter was first elected as part of the ‘class of 2002’, along with Will Hodgman and Jeremy Rockliff. Peter has been at the core of the Liberal Party ever since.

Peter is the only Shadow Treasurer to deliver fully costed alternative budgets. In opposition, he demonstrated that he would have an unrivalled ability to manage the State’s finances.

He also contributed to the development of a number of signature economic policies in the lead up to the 2014 election, in areas like housing, planning, education, tourism and infrastructure.

Peter has been a pivotal member of the Liberal Government, delivering on election commitments, restoring the State’s finances and bringing the budget back into black. Tasmania’s economy more broadly has never been in better shape.

In 2020, Peter was chosen to replace Will Hodgman as Premier. He lead Tasmania with distinction through the COVID outbreak that would soon follow and would dominate Peter’s premiership.

Leadership during such a significant crisis is difficult, but Peter shouldered the burden and in fact excelled. It was no accident that for a long time Peter was the most popular Premier in Australia.

However, leading the State through such dark days has taken its toll. Peter and his wife Mandy and children Millie and Finn have given up so much over the past 20 years and in particular over the past two years. It’s only fair that Peter now gets to spend more time with his loved ones.

Peter has often said he wants Tasmania to be the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family. Over the past 20 years he has dedicated himself to making that dream a reality and our State is a much better place for it.

Rod Scurrah
President - Liberal Party of Australia (Tas Division)