Health Minister Guy Barnett has been elected unopposed to the job of Deputy Premier on Tuesday morning by the Tasmanian Parliamentary Party replacing Michael Ferguson, who resigned on Monday.
Mr Ferguson stepped down ahead of a no-confidence motion foreshadowed for State Parliament for Tuesday over his handling of the Spirit of Tasmania replacement ships and Devonport port upgrades.
Despite Premier Jeremy Rockliff saying earlier in the day Mr Ferguson had his full confidence and support, his right-hand man announced his resignation at 5.30 pm, saying he didn’t want to waste Parliament’s time on a vote.
Mr Ferguson says he will be staying in Parliament as a back bencher and as a “freshly re-elected member for Bass”.
A parliamentary inquiry into delays with the replacement ships and port upgrades, being chaired by Murchison Independent MLC Ruth Forrest, will resume on November 18, when it will hear from Searoad managing director Chas Kelly and Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff.
