Peter Gutwein’s rise in Tasmanian politics

PETER GUTWEIN’S POLITICAL CAREER

* July 2002 – Elected to Tasmania’s parliament in the northern electorate of Bass, one of seven opposition Liberals in the 25-member lower house. Held a string of shadow portfolios over following years including employment, education and police.

* December 2003 – Crossed the floor in parliament to vote with the Greens in support of their push for a state commission of inquiry into child abuse.

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* March 2014 – The Liberals tasted election success to end 16 years of Labor government, with Mr Gutwein appointed treasurer.

* January 2020 – Elected unopposed as premier by the Liberals after Will Hodgman unexpectedly resigns mid-term.

* March 2020 – Announced Tasmania is shutting its borders to safeguard against COVID-19, becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to do so.

* November 2020 – Established a Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings following allegations made against a nurse and other public servants. It will hold hearings from May.

* March 2021 – Called a state election one year early after rogue Liberal MP Sue Hickey announced her split from the party, leaving the government in minority.

* May 2021 – Led the Liberals to a third-straight election win, a record for the party in the state.

* August 2021 – Admitted to hospital briefly with a mystery illness which is later put down to overwork.

* March 2022 – Revealed he was sexually assaulted as a teenager by a former teacher.

* April 2022 – Quit politics, aged 57, at a snap press conference, citing a desire to spend more time with family.

Peter Gutwein’s rise in Tasmanian politics
Independent Information