Tasmania July to December 2019

Overview The second half of 2019 saw improved fortunes for the governing Liberals in the state parliament, and a further decline in prospects for Labor, while the two Greens maintained their high profile by challenging the government, especially on its development plans in environmentally sensitive areas. A reshuffle at the end of June designed to inject new blood and vigour into the Hodgman ministry did little to mend a fractious relationship with rebel Liberal speaker Sue Hickey or to quell the considerable instability within the parliamentary Liberal Party that was a hallmark of the first six months of 2019. Against a background of a booming economy, hospitals and housing continued as major social issues and Premier Will Hodgman earned criticism from Liberal insiders for failing to make more progress on conservative economic development and social policies. Despite that, the government emerged looking more stable towards the end of the year after a substantial shift in the dynamics of parliament. This followed a surprise resignation by Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon and the election in his place of former Labor MP-turned conservative independent Madeleine Ogilvie, whose parliamentary support gave the government some key legislative wins.