Tasmania's Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein has resigned from politics, citing time to focus on family after guiding the state through two years of COVID-19 pandemic response
"The time is now right for me to move on, and to tend to other things in my life," Mr Gutwein told the media at a snap press conference in Launceston on Monday afternoon.
"The past two years have delivered unforeseen challenges as we’ve navigated through COVID-19 and focused on rebuilding a stronger Tasmania during this time. I’ve quite rightly focused on everyone else’s family. I now want to spend some time focusing on my own."
Mr Gutwein, who led his party to a record third-straight state election win in May 2021, is resigning from politics and as a member for Bass, a community he has represented in parliament since 2002.
He has served as Tasmania's 46th premier after being elected by the Liberals to replace Will Hodgman, who quit the role mid-term.
He will remain in the role until the party elects a new leader later this week, while a recount will be held in Bass to determine his replacement.
State parliament, which was due to sit next week, will be prorogued until after Easter, he said.
The 57-year-old, who is also the state's treasurer and minister for climate change and tourism, told the media he had "nothing left in the tank".
"I’m somebody that gets up and gives 110 per cent every day, and what I found after the last two years especially was I’ve got nothing left in the tank to give.
"I have worked as hard as I possibly can every single day that I’ve been premier. And as I’ve seen I’ve got nothing left in a tank and unless you can give 110 per cent to the role of premier you shouldn’t be doing this job and I can no longer give more than 110 per cent."
The father of two said he was "immensely proud" of how his island state had handled the COVID-19 pandemic and said he was leaving Tasmania "in good shape".
"We were the first state that took a step to ban cruise ships ... We were the first state to close our borders, which was quickly followed by other states and we quickly turned what had been a 200 year disadvantage of being a small island at the bottom of the Australian landmass into a major positive for the state."
"We took the smallest state through a pandemic. We created one of the safest places on the planet to live in importantly, one of the best economies and strongest going job markets in the country."
But he said the greatest highlight of his premiership was "the courage and compassion of Tasmanians".
"There is no way like this place in the world and the examples of common humanity and kindness that I have witnessed over the last two years will remain with me stay with me for the rest of my life," he said.
The outgoing premier, a qualified black-belt instructor in taekwondo, said he planned to "do as little as possible" and spend time with family.
"I’ve got a daughter who will turn 18 tomorrow I have a son who’s 15 and I will spend time with them and I want to support my wife," he said.
Federal MPs offer their support
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Mr Gutwein did not put a foot wrong in his handling of the pandemic.
"I have always respected the way Peter has demonstrated strength and compassion in his leadership, delivering jobs and lifting communities. He is a great Tasmanian leader," Mr Morrison said.
"However, public life demands a great deal from all of us. Peter has come to the realisation that he has given it his all."
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese offered his best wishes to the outgoing premier, thanking him for his service.
"Best wishes to Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, who announced his retirement this afternoon. I thank him for his service to Tasmania, especially during the past few difficult years of the pandemic," he tweeted.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said she was shocked to hear of Mr Gutwein's announcement but "if anyone's earned some time off, he has", she said.
While Federal Labor MP Brian Mitchell, member of the Tasmanian seat of Lyons, said Mr Gutwein had led the state through a "tumultuous time" and "no one will begrudge him spending more time with his family".
Mr Gutwein's departure comes after former education minister Sarah Courtney quit politics in early February citing a desire to spend more time with her family.
Upper house member Jane Howlett stepped down from ministerial duties in late February following the death of her brother.
Labor opposition leader Rebecca White thanked Mr Gutwein for his service to the state.
"Mr Gutwein has governed through some of the most difficult times as Tasmania faced the scourge of COVID-19," she said in a statement.
"I wish him and his family well for the future."
