After 10 years in office, the Liberals have completely run out of new ideas and the Premier has checked out.
Today's reshuffle shows failure is no barrier to promotion in Jeremy Rockliff's Cabinet - in fact, it seems to be a prerequisite - with several failed ministers given even bigger responsibilities.
Former energy minister Guy Barnett has been promoted to Treasury, despite failing to deliver a single new project in his former role, overseeing a multi-billion dollar blowout on Project Marinus and causing massive power price rises for Tasmanian families and businesses. His promotion does not inspire any confidence the Liberals are serious about fixing the budget crisis they have created.
Jacquie Petrusma has been recycled back into one of the biggest jobs in government, despite a track record of being fired for letting down children and misleading Parliament . It is a very surprising appointment in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry and shows just how shallow the Premier's talent pool has become.
The reshuffle also shows the Premier has checked out and isn't interested in having responsibility for serious issues.
Less than two months on from saying he was going to take over the infrastructure portfolio and fix the Spirits, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has handballed the ministry to newcomer Kerry Vincent. It's just like when he ditched Health after saying it was so important to him he would retain it as Premier, and when he dropped Economic Development after saying his focus would be solely on growing the economy.
The Premier clearly isn't interested in taking charge of Tasmania's biggest issues, and has effectively given up on his own government.
After 10 years of the Liberals, Tasmanians deserve better.
Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer
