A Tasmanian cabinet minister has made the “incredibly difficult” decision to resign from her portfolios after her brother died last week.
Jane Howlett made the shock announcement on Friday, saying it was the right thing to do for her family.
“Being a minister is an incredible honour and privilege which deserves and requires a 100 per cent commitment which I simply cannot provide at this time,” the Liberal politician said.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but the correct one for my family and myself.
“This has been a very challenging time and now it is time for me to return that support to (my family).”
Ms Howlett, who was the Minister for Racing, Women, Small Business, Hospitality and Events and Disability Services, said she planned to remain in parliament as a backbencher.
Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed Ms Howlett would have a two-week break before returning as the member for Prosser in the Legislative Council.
He acknowledged it was difficult for the minister to make the decision for “personal and family reasons” and said she had his “wholehearted support” during such a challenging time.
“Jane has been a valued member of my cabinet for just over two years, and she has achieved great outcomes for her stakeholders and the broader Tasmanian community during this time,” Mr Gutwein said.
“I want to thank Jane sincerely for all that she has achieved, and I know that she will continue to serve the Tasmanian community with her high level of commitment and passion.”
The Premier has since been sworn into her portfolios temporarily and is expected to annxjmtzywounce a new minister in coming days.
It was only last week that Mr Gutwein’s new cabinet was sworn in following Sarah Courtney’s resignation.
Three weeks ago the former education minister and Liberal member for Bass stood down amid criticism over a European holiday.
“On the day that we swore in the cabinet, Jane’s brother died that morning and within a handful of hours she bravely turned up to put herself on the public stage to be sworn in,” the premier said.
“This (politics) is the one business that people, regardless of personal circumstances, regardless of what’s occurring outside of their job, they are expected to stand up and just get on with it.”
Ms Howlett was elected to the state’s upper house in 2018.
