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Tasmanian Government

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Tasmanian Government
Government of the State of Tasmania
Logo of the executive government specifically, while the coat of arms of Tasmania represents the state as a whole.
Overview
Established
State Tasmania
Country Australia
LeaderPremier of Tasmania (Jeremy Rockliff)
Appointed byGovernor of Tasmania (Barbara Baker) on behalf of the King (Charles III)
Main organ
Ministries 8 Government Departments
Responsible toParliament of Tasmania
Annual budget$8.7 billion (2023-2024)[1]
HeadquartersExecutive Building
15 Murray Street, Hobart
Websitetas.gov.au

The Tasmanian Government or the Government of Tasmania is the executive branch of the Australian state of Tasmania. The leader of the party or coalition with the confidence of the House of Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament of Tasmania, is invited by the governor of Tasmania to form the executive. The governor appoints the premier of Tasmania.

Since 8 April 2022, the premier of Tasmania has been Jeremy Rockliff, leader of the Liberal Party. The current ministry of Tasmania is the Second Rockliff ministry.

Constitutional framework

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Tasmania is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system, a form of parliamentary responsible government based on the model of the United Kingdom. Legislative power rests with the bicameral Parliament of Tasmania, which consists of the governor of Tasmania, and the two chambers: the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly.[2]

Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the governor and senior ministers, and informally called the Cabinet. In practice, executive power is exercised by the premier of Tasmania upon the advice of the Cabinet, who are appointed by the governor, but who hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the House of Assembly.

Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Tasmania and a system of subordinate courts. As with all states, upon federation, Tasmania accepted the authority of the federal High Court of Australia to overrule the state judiciary.

Current ministry

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The Second Rockliff ministry was sworn in on 11 April 2024. The table of ministers can be found below.

Party Minister Portfolio Minister Since
Liberal Jeremy Rockliff Premier
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
Minister for Trade and Major Investment
11 April 2024
Liberal Michael Ferguson Deputy Premier
Treasurer
Minister for Infrastructure
11 April 2024
Liberal Guy Barnett Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
11 April 2024
Liberal Felix Ellis Minister for Housing and Planning
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
Minister for Skills and Training
11 April 2024
Liberal Eric Abetz Minister for Business, Industry and Resources
Minister for Transport
Leader of the House
11 April 2024
Liberal Nick Duigan Minister for Energy and Renewables
Minister for Parks and Environment
11 April 2024
Liberal Jo Palmer Minister for Education
Minister for Disability Services
Deputy Leader for the Government in the Legislative Council
11 April 2024
Liberal Roger Jaensch Minister for Children and Youth
Minister for Community Services
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
11 April 2024
Liberal Jane Howlett Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Minister for Racing
11 April 2024
Liberal Madeleine Ogilvie Minister for Small Business and Consumer Affairs
Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation
Minister for Arts
Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence
11 April 2024
Liberal Nic Street Minister for Finance
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Sport and Events
11 April 2024
Liberal Jacquie Petrusma Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier 11 April 2024
Liberal Simon Wood Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Government Whip
11 April 2024
Liberal Simon Behrakis Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Planning 11 April 2024
Liberal Leonie Hiscutt Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council 11 April 2024

Tasmanian government agencies

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The Tasmanian Government delivers services, determines policy, and issues regulations through a number of agencies grouped under areas of portfolio responsibility. Each portfolio is led by a Secretary, who reports to one or more government ministers, a member of Parliament. Since reorganisation in 2022[3] the departmental structure is the following

A range of other agencies support the functions of these departments.

State-owned businesses

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The Government of Tasmania also owns and operates a number of state-owned companies:[4]

  • Aurora Energy: electricity and gas retailer.
  • Sustainable Timber Tasmania: the manager of public forests and plantations for logging, sawmilling and woodchipping.
  • Hydro Tasmania: a large generator of electricity, management of hydroelectric schemes. Also owns a mainland Australian energy retailer, Momentum Energy.
  • Tasmanian Irrigation: tasked with the planning, construction and maintenance of the Tasmanian Irrigation Schemes culminating pipes, dams and pumping stations.
  • Metro Tasmania: a public transportation company, running busses in the metropolitan areas of the state.
  • Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB): public insurance resulting from car accidents.
  • Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority: operates the tourism venture at Port Arthur, maintains the ruins of the gaol and historic site.
  • Public Trustee: an independent trustee organisation.
  • Tascorp: management of the other public companies' finances and government investment.
  • TasNetworks: electricity transmission and distribution.
  • TasPorts: port management and stevedoring.
  • Tasracing: the operator of Tasmania's horse and dog racing venues, management of betting
  • TasRail: rail freight transportation, railway management.
  • TT-Line Company: operates the Bass Strait ferries.

Other levels of government

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Federal representation of Tasmania

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As a state of Australia, Tasmania is represented in the federal House of Representatives and Senate. Tasmania has five representative in the federal House of Representatives for the electoral divisions of Bass, Braddon, Denison, Franklin, and Lyons. Tasmania also has twelve Senators in line with other states.

Local government in Tasmania

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29 local government elections are conducted under the Local Government Act using the Hare-Clark voting system of multi-member proportional representation. Elections for mayor, deputy mayor and half the councillor positions are held during September and October in each uneven numbered year. These include six cities (three in greater Hobart, one covering each of Launceston, Burnie, and Devonport) and twenty-three municipalities. The largest council (by number of eligible voters) is the City of Launceston and the smallest council is the Flinders Council (which serves Flinders Island and the surrounds, with just over 800 electors)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tasmanian Government (May 2023). "The Budget: Budget Paper no. 1" (PDF).
  2. ^ Constitution Act 1934 (Tas) s.10
  3. ^ "Department Structures to Strengthen Tasmanian Outcomes". Premier of Tasmania. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Tasmanian Government Businesses". Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance. Tasmanian Government.
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