Tasmania’s new Premier has flagged an Apple Isle AFL team as high on his list of leadership priorities.
Jeremy Rockliff made the announced shortly after being named the state’s next leader on Friday morning, stepping up from his current role as deputy.
“There is no reason why Tasmania has to miss out on anything,” he told reporters.
“We have demonstrated that we can take our place on the national sporting stage, and Peter Gutwein, to his great credit has been instrumental in getting us as close as we’ve ever been to securing an AFL team.
“I am determined to finish what he started so Tasmania has its own team once and for all.”
Mr Rockliff was the only nomination for the role of state leader and will be assisted by Michael Ferguson, who’s set to become deputy premier.
Both will be sworn into their new positions in a ceremony at Tasmania’s Government House on Friday afternoon.
Mr Rockliff told reporters on Friday morning his leadership would focus on growing and increasing opportunities for Tasmania.
“It is my plan to lead a government with integrity, a government that is courageous, a government that is accountable and delivers on its commitments, but above all I will lead a govt with heart,” he said.
“We are investing record amounts into health, into education, and into housing.
“We have taken steps to harness the state’s competitive advantages to ensure we have a diverse and resilient economy attracting investment and growing jobs so that all Tasmanians have the opportunities to achieve their goals and succeed.”
Mr Rockliff was previously deputy premier and health and mental health minister.
He was born and raised in northwest Tasmania before studying agriculture at university in New Zealand.
The 52-year-old has been Managing Director of Sassafras Farms since 1991.
The leadership change comes after Peter Gutwein’s shock resignation as the state’s leader last week.
