The Fourth Tasmanian Liberal Cabinet Member is Ousted by the Liberal Government in 2022

Tasmania’s police minister Jacquie Petrusma was the fourth member to leave the Liberal government of the state in 2022. He resigned from the parliament for personal reasons.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff made the announcement on July 25 on behalf of the police minister as she is currently on leave.

” She was a tremendously committed member of my team. She will be missed. Jacquie was a wonderful friend of mine,” he said to reporters.

” This is Jacquie’s decision. She has reflected on her 12 years in parliament and has every right to come to that decision to spend more time with her family.”

The Tasmanian Cabinet has been dissolved by four of its members in 2022,, with Sarah Courtney (education minister) being the first person to leave politics. Sarah Courtney left politics for personal reasons in February.

Shortly after that, Minister for Disability Services Jane Howlett resigned from her position on Feb. 25, following her brother’s death. After two decades of politics, Peter Gutwein was elected as the new premier.

The departures of cabinet members has come one after another since the Liberty party won the state election in May 2021.

A year later, Rockliff announced plans to raise the number of Tasmania’s lower house members from 25 to 35, citing concerns over MP workloads.

” “It’s tough being a parliamentarian, and it’s tough being a minister. “The sacrifices that are required for this job come with families .”

Recount to Be Held

Meanwhile, the Tasmanian Electoral Commission will organise a recount in Petrusma’s electorate of Franklin from Aug. 15, and a Liberal candidate will likely take over her seat.

Also, the scheduled resumption date of the state legislature on August 9 may be delayed, as the Liberal government holds a one seat majority in the lower chamber.

Petrusma was the person who had held portfolios for police, fire, emergency management and prevention of violence in families and parks. She stated that it was difficult to resign.

“As someone who was a victim of sexual and family violence, my strongest motivation for becoming an MP was responding to it and preventing future violence.” She said .

“I will be continuing to be a strong advocate…to help drive further actions, change in attitudes and behaviors to eliminate sexual and family violence in Tasmania .”

Tasmania’s youngest legislator Felix Ellis will take Petrusma’s place in cabinet. He’ll also be taking over the portfolio of police, fire, and emergency management. Petrusma has been assigned other tasks.