LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA - Key Persons
I am tremendously proud to be elected the Member for Bass and I will do my utmost as your Member of Parliament to repay the trust that the community has given me.
Northern Tasmania is a fantastic place to live and is fast establishing itself a centre for innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship and I am committed to doing all I can to ensure our region can reach its full potential.
I moved to Ravenswood from southern Tasmania at an early age and am incredibly proud of the Northern Tasmania region, where I happily reside with my husband and five children on a family farm in George Town.
After graduating year 12, I worked in at the Tasmanian Herbarium as an assistant curator and also worked in hospitality before attending the University of Tasmania (UTAS) attaining a Bachelor of Arts (English and Political Science) and a Graduate Certificate in International Politics.
I was incredibly fortunate to be elected to the position of Councillor for the George Town Council in 2009, deputy mayor in 2011 and Mayor from 2014 - 2018. Local government provides accessibility and accountability to those we represent and I intend to continue to have that relationship with you, my local constituent, as your elected Member for Bass.
Job Titles:
- Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator for Tasmania
Job Titles:
- Government Whip
- Government Whip, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Industry, Member for Franklin
Dean Young is part of the Tasmanian Liberal Team and is also the Liberal Member for Franklin.
As having an extensive background in small businesses for almost 20 years including Retail, Accounting and Hospitality. Dean has a passion for small business operators and is an advocate for small business growth and development across the Electorate.
Improving education is crucially important to Dean as well as encouraging opportunities for young Tasmanians to thrive.
Dean is enthusiastic about his involvement within community sport as he is the Past president of Volleyball Tasmania, committee member for Bellerive Junior Soccer Club and former player and committee member of Clarence District Cricket Club and Montagu Bay Cricket Club.
Dean is an approachable, kind and welcoming member within the community.
Dean happily lives in Bellerive with his wife Allison and their three boys.
Job Titles:
- Minister for Police
- Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency
- MP Is Your Local Member of the Liberal Government
Felix Ellis MP is your local member of the Liberal Government.
He is a plumber by trade and the youngest member of the Tasmanian Parliament.
Felix is fighting to secure local jobs, better healthcare and safer communities in the North West, West Coast and King Island.
Felix grew up in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia. He learned the importance of serving his community through the example of his parents, with his mother working as a remote area nurse in Aboriginal communities and his father working as a plumber in civil and residential construction in the local area.
Felix is passionate about making Tasmania a place where young families can find opportunities, get a great education and enjoy the Tasmanian way of life.
Felix has been appointed to a number of Parliamentary positions, including Deputy Chair of Committees and membership of the Public Works Committee, Subordinate Legislation Committee and the Parliamentary Library Committee.
Felix enjoys surf life saving, tennis, chess and hiking. He is a member of his local volunteer fire brigade, a blood donor and has been on a wide range of volunteer community boards and committees. Felix was the Vice President of the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Prior to entering Parliament, Felix was undertaking a Bachelor of Global Logistics and Maritime Management at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) in Launceston.
Felix has lived in small towns all over the North West and West Coast and has settled down in Sassafras with his wife Margot and sons William and Michael.
Gavin Pearce's family has lived and farmed in the Sisters Creek region in North-West Tasmania since the 1850s.
Gavin left school at 15 and became a share farmer, before enlisting in the Australian Regular Army.
Job Titles:
- Attorney General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Health, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Member for Lyons
Job Titles:
- Deputy Leader for the Government in the Legislative Council
- Deputy Leader for the Government in the Legislative Council, Liberal Member for Prosser
- Member of the Prosser
Jane Howlett is the Liberal member for Prosser. Born and raised in Richmond, she built her first home in Brighton and has spent most of her life in the communities of South-East Tasmania.
Job Titles:
- Member of the the House of Assembly
- Minister for State Development
Jeremy is a north-west Tasmanian who grew up on the family farm at Sassafras.
Jeremy is currently the Deputy Premier, Minister for Health, Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Minister for Community Services and Development. He has previously held the portfolios of Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Primary Industries and Water and Minister for Racing.
Since becoming a Member for the House of Assembly, Jeremy has been instrumental in helping set up the Tasmanian Devil Research Trust Appeal, progressing the rights of asbestos victims, championing the need for water development and greater quarantine barrier controls, fighting for stronger food labelling laws and effectively representing many people across the Braddon electorate.
Jeremy is known for his strong representation of the North West and West Coast and believes that given the fact that much of the wealth for Tasmania is created by the diverse industry base of the North West and West Coast then in turn the region deserves nothing less than its fair share of government support and services.
Jeremy is married to Sandra they have three beautiful young daughters Ruby, Lucy and Holly.
In April 2022, Jeremy was elected Leader of the Tasmanian Liberal Party and sworn in as the 47th Premier of Tasmania.
Job Titles:
- Minister for Primary Industries
- Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Jo Palmer was elected to the Legislative Council in August 2020, as a Liberal endorsed candidate, representing the electorate of Rosevears. Rosevears covers the West Tamar area from Greens Beach and Beauty Point down through to Riverside, as well as the Launceston suburbs of Trevallyn, West Launceston, Summerhill and Prospect.
Jo Palmer lives with her husband and four children in West Launceston, having grown up in Trevallyn since the age of six.
She is passionate about increasing community pride, local jobs and small business growth, and has great belief in the power of education.
Jo has supported our community in Ambassador roles for sick or traumatised children, people with disabilities and medical research. She is a Tasmanian of the Year recipient for her charity work.
She believes a hand-up offers far greater long-term benefits than a hand-out and is committed to the importance of individual responsibility.
Jo is involved with a number of State, Regional Committees including Membership Launceston Chamber of Commerce, Membership Tas Women in Agriculture, Clown Doctors and DanceSport Tasmania.
Jo served Tasmania for 20 years as a trusted journalist and news reader. With your support she will be your trusted voice for Rosevears in Parliament and within the State Government.
Jo was appointed to Deputy Leader of the Legislative Council in May 2021 and membership of the Sessional Committee Government Administration B, Government Business Scrutiny Committee B, Estimate Committee B, Select Committee on Taswater, Deputy Chair GAB Committee for Disability Services in Tasmania, Road Safety in Tasmania Select Committee and Joint Standing Committee on Integrity.
In April 2022 Jo was sworn in as Minister for Women, Minister for Primary Industries and Water and Minister for Disability Services.
Job Titles:
- Leader for the Government in the Legislative Council
- Leader for the Government in the Legislative Council, Liberal Member for Montgomery
Leonie Hiscutt was elected to the Legislative Council on May 2013, as a Liberal endorsed candidate, representing the electorate of Montgomery. Montgomery, after legislative boundary changes in 2017, now consists of all the Central Coast Municipality and large parts of Burnie and Kentish Municipalies.
Born in the small rural town of Elliott, Leonie attended the local district school of Yolla, before attending Burnie High School.
Leonie was a practising marriage celebrant and has enjoyed being part of the special day for so many people. Leonie has been married for 37 years herself and sees the value in this commitment. Leonie is married to Ben and together they had three children. They farm on a property in Howth that has been in the family since 1867.
Her move into agri-politics started when she joined Tasmanian Women in Agriculture. Leonie has spent many years as a member of this group. This group is keen to see women on farms, and their families, are supported and do well. She was later elected as Tasmanian Director of Australian Women in Agriculture and only recently resigned her position.
Leonie was a representative of the Tasmanian Poppy Growers Committee. She remained a member for 4 years and fought for better conditions for Tasmanian poppy growers.
Leonie furthered her interest in the business world when she and her husband moved into the tourism sector with the building of a self-contained accommodation unit, Black Rock Retreat, on their farm. Leonie and Ben joined their local tourism association and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Leonie was then elected as the President of the Chamber in 2010.
Leonie is keenly aware that the bulk of business in Tasmania is small business and she is keen to help business, of all sorts, become healthy and productive. She believes that if businesses in Tasmanian are thriving there will be economic growth and job creation within our community. Leonie believes that Tasmanian has a bright future and is keen to help shape this future.
Job Titles:
- Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation
Madeleine is the granddaughter of former MP Eric Ogilvie and great-niece of former Premier of Tasmania Albert Ogilvie.
Mark was first elected to the House of Assembly in March 2010 as the Member for Lyons.
He and his wife Merrilyn live in the small township of Bracknell and they have three adult children and seven grandchildren. Mark has a very strong background in primary industries, operating a 200 acre property at Bracknell with his brother.
Marks maintains a strong desire and passion to work hard for regional Tasmania and the continued development of our small businesses, agriculture and forestry sectors. He knows the importance of a secure job and a community that supports its own.
Since his election to the House of Assembly in 2010, Mark has held a number of positions in the Liberal Government including:
Current Speaker of the House of Assembly;
Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and Chair of Committees;
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier;
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development;
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management; Minister for Local Government; and
On numerous committees including the Tasmanian Parliament Privileges Committee, Government Business Enterprise Estimates Committee, Integrity Committee, Community Development Committee, Firearms Committee, Public Works Committee, the House of Assembly Restoration Bill Committee, Parliamentary inquiry into the sale of TOTE and was the only Opposition member ever to chair an Estimates committee in the history of the Tasmanian Parliament.
He also held the shadow portfolios of Police and Emergency Services, Sport & Recreation, Racing, Consumer Affairs, Forestry and Regional Development in Opposition.
From 2003 to 2010 Mark was the Mayor of the Meander Valley Council, and as a former TAFE and Adult Education teacher in automotive studies, he is passionate about developing the skills through education that the next generation will need. He has also extensive experience in managing small businesses.
Mark is Patron and supporter of many sporting organisations and with a long sporting career in both football and cricket; he is a big believer in participation in team sports, not just for the physical and social benefits, but for the mental health benefits as well.
He is also a passionate supporter of many charities, and in 2021 Mark completed a second 200 kilometre fundraising walk from Launceston to Hobart to raise funds for the statewide disability support service St Giles and was able to raise more than $20,000 on each occasion for the charity. St Giles provides caring and professional support to Tasmanian families who have loved ones with a disability.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Premier
- Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Planning, Member for Bass
Michael entered political life determined to make a real difference and improve the lives of Tasmanians.His vision is "for Tasmanians to be the happiest people, enjoying the best quality of life in Australia".Michael has committed his time in public life to local, state and Federal levels of government.
Michael grew up, studied and married in Northern Tasmania. He displayed a passion for community work and charitable causes. He achieved two degrees at UTAS, a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Applied Science, developed interests in youth work, radio and politics. He started his own business before working as a high school teacher in 1996.
Michael taught maths, science and IT at state secondary schools. His continued commitment to many community organisations led him to being named Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year for 2002 by the National Australia Day Committee. That year Michael was elected to the Meander Valley Council.
From 2004 to 2007 he served as Federal Member for Bass. In that role he worked on a number of parliamentary and policy committees, secured funding for health, road, infrastructure, education and improved shipping between Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands. Michael served the Clifford Craig Foundation as CEO, advancing its mission for world class medical research in Northern Tasmania.
In 2010 he was elected as a member of the Tasmanian Parliament and was returned each election since.
Michael currently serves the Tasmanian people as Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure & Transport and Minister for Planning. Previous portfolios include Health, Finance, Local Government, Housing, State Growth, Small Business, Science & Technology, Police, Fire & Emergency Management and Leader of the House.
Michael strongly believes in the values of hard work, self-discipline and personal integrity all underpinned by his Christian faith.
Job Titles:
- Member of Local
- Minister for Energy and Renewables, Minister for Parks and Heritage, Minister for Small Business, Liberal Member for Windermere
Nick Duigan is a well-known Tasmanian, after more than three decades on television - including 20 years hosting the national fishing program Hook Line and Sinker.
Nick lives in Launceston with his wife Amanda and their three daughters. He has spent much of his career filming across Australia and his travels have reinforced how fortunate we are to enjoy the Tasmanian way of life.
Nick is an active member of local social, sporting, and recreational aviation communities, and has volunteered to support men's health initiatives, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and is a national Neighbour Day Ambassador.
Nick is energetic, friendly and reliable. With your support, Nick Duigan will deliver real results for Windermere as part of Jeremy Rockliff's Liberal team.
Richard Colbeck is a Liberal Senator for Tasmania.
Prior to entering politics in 2002, Senator Colbeck worked in the construction industry for more than two decades, starting as an apprentice and going on to operate his own businesses.
He served as an Alderman on the Devonport City Council, a Director of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and President of the Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Richard has served as Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Minister for Sport, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Minister for Youth and Sport, Minister for Tourism and International Education, Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration, and twice as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture (Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on one occasion).
He also held Shadow Parliamentary Secretary roles in the Health, Industry and Innovation, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Portfolios.
Senator Colbeck is a proud Tasmanian and lives in Devonport with his wife Gaylene. They have three children.
Job Titles:
- Chairman and CEO of the Cradle Coast Authority
- Minister for Education
- Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Liberal Member for Braddon
Roger Jaensch was first elected to the Tasmanian Parliament in 2014 as Member for Braddon in the House of Assembly. He served as Government Whip for the first two years of the Hodgman Government, before taking on the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business, Trade and Red Tape Reduction. Upon his re-election in 2018, he was appointed Minister for Human Services, Minister for Housing and Minister for Planning.
Roger grew up in outer suburban Victoria - the son of a self-employed engineer and a committed community volunteer. After completion of secondary schooling he spent time working and travelling in southern Africa.
Returning to Australia, Roger studied Science at Monash University, focusing on land use and management in semi-arid areas of Australia, similar to those he had seen in Africa, and the human and economic factors driving business decisions in these environments.
On completion of his studies, Roger worked in the remote Gascoyne region of Western Australia where he helped to pioneer tourism, horticulture and sheep and goat meat enterprises on pastoral leases, diversifying local economies and creating new exports.
After other land use planning and industry development roles in WA, Roger was appointed as inaugural Chair and CEO of the Cradle Coast Authority in 2000 and moved to Wynyard in NW Tasmania with his wife Stephanie, where they have now raised three children.
Roger served as a board member of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania for ten years, and as a member of the Tasmanian Health and Wellbeing Advisory Council, the Tasmania Medicare Local Social Determinants of Health Steering Committee, the University of Tasmania NW Advisory Board and the NW Economic Development Plan Regional Reference Group.
Job Titles:
- Shadow Minister for Environment
- Shadow Minister for Environment, Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Liberal Senator for Tasmania
Senator Jonathon Duniam is a proud sixth generation Tasmanian with strong family roots planted in the North West of the state.
Senator Duniam is married with three sons and knows the importance of improving opportunities for the next generation.
He is a strong advocate for his home state and believes Tasmania is among the best places to live, work and raise a family.
Senator Duniam is passionate about getting out into the local community, and believes his job is about listening to concerns and actively working hard to find solutions by securing results in Canberra.
Having previously worked in the public service for most his career, he has extensive experience in the policy making process, having formerly worked as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Premier Will Hodgman at the time of the Liberals historic 2014 state election win.
Since his election in 2016, Senator Duniam has been an active participant on Senate committees and served as Chair of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee from 1.9.2016 to 21.8.2017 and Chair of the Environment and Communications Committee from 21.8.2018 to 18.05.2019. He is honoured to have been asked to serve as Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism in from 29.05.2019 to 22.12.2020 and then as Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries and Assistant Minister for Industry Development from 22.12.2020 to 21.05.2022.
Senator Duniam's aim and focus will always be - judged by deeds, not by words, and it is his commitment to work hard and deliver tangible benefits for the people of Australia.
Job Titles:
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Member for Bass
Simon Wood has been actively involved in the Tasmanian political scene for over 10 years. He has previously worked for the office of Senator Wendy Askew in a constituent and community engagement role. He has previously held roles in the political offices of Andrew Nikolic, Senator Jonno Duniam and Senator David Bushby.
As a former Alderman in the Launceston City Council (2014-2018), Mr Wood was heavily involved in several major projects including the Festival of Voices and the Australian Rally Car Championships. He has also served as President of the Old Launcestonians Association.
Mr Wood also assists his wife with the operation of her osteopathy practice in Launceston.
Susie is a fifth-generation Meander Valley resident, living and working in Regional Tasmania. She has spent over 20 years working in Local Government and the higher education sector and has broad management experience. Ms Bower has previously held roles as the Director of Community and Economic Development at the Dorset Council.
She has a strong interest in improving educational outcomes for students in Tasmania, and has helped to establish four scholarship programs for students wishing to further their education.
Ms Bower is a member of several sporting and community organisations including the Westbury Bowls Club, Meander Valley Suns Football, Mole Creek Progress Association and Tasmanian Women in Agriculture.
Job Titles:
- Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate
- Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate, Senator for Tasmania
Wendy is a proud Tasmanian who loves being involved in community activities. She has been a Rotarian for almost two decades, is a Past president and Paul Harris Fellow, and remains a passionate and active member of her Club.