After serving over two years as the Tasmanian Premier, Peter Gutwein has announced that he will step down from the position and retire from politics.
He spoke at a press conference in Launceston on Monday where he noted that he could “no longer give 110 per cent” citing that leading Tasmania through a pandemic has taken its toll on him.
“What I’ve found after the last two years especially is I have nothing left in the tank to give,” he said.
“Unless you can give 110 per cent to the role of premier, you should not be doing this job.”
Mr Gutwein also said that he hasn’t been able to dedicate as much time to his family as he’d like but that he’s confident when he hands over the position of Premier, it will be left in good hands.
“My wife and kids have just been outstanding in their support, but that period through Christmas completely drained me,” he said.
“I’ve focused on everyone else’s family, I now want to spend some time focusing on my own.
“I know that I leave the state in a good place and with a team that can build on the foundations that have been made.”
A replacement for the Tasmanian Premier will be made later this week with Mr Gutwein remaining in the position until then. Prime Minister Scott Morrison showered him with praise, having said that his efforts during the pandemic have not gone unnoticed.
“He leaves politics with a world-best response to COVID and a Tasmanian economy thriving with jobs at a record high,” he said.
“Public life demands a great deal from all of us. Peter has come to the realisation that he has given it his all. Not only a public figure, Peter is a husband and father as well and he knows where he has to be.”
