Michael Ferguson (Australian politician)
Michael Ferguson | |
---|---|
21st Deputy Premier of Tasmania | |
Assumed office 8 April 2022 | |
Premier | Jeremy Rockliff |
Preceded by | Jeremy Rockliff |
Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Bass | |
Assumed office 20 March 2010 | |
Preceded by | Sue Napier |
Member of the Australian Parliament for Bass | |
In office 9 October 2004 – 24 November 2007 | |
Preceded by | Michelle O'Byrne |
Succeeded by | Jodie Campbell |
Personal details | |
Born | Liberal | 23 March 1974
Spouse | Julie |
Children | Eloise, Thomas, James |
Alma mater | University of Tasmania |
Occupation | Politician Teacher |
Website | http://michaelferguson.com/ |
Michael Darrel Joseph Ferguson (born 23 March 1974) is an Australian politician who is currently the
Ferguson previously served in federal parliament as a Liberal Party of Australia member in the House of Representatives from 2004 to 2007, representing the federal electorate of Bass.[1] He was defeated at the 2007 federal election.
Background and early career
He was educated at the
Before entering politics, he was a teacher in public secondary schools in Northern Tasmania and adviser to Guy Barnett, Liberal Senator for Tasmania.[citation needed]
Political career
In his first parliamentary term Ferguson concentrated on issues such as education, health, family and employment and served on numerous parliamentary and backbench committees. He was the secretary of the Government Education, Science and Training policy committee and is acknowledged as having played a key role in brokering the passage of the Voluntary Student Unionism legislation through a hostile senate with his (implemented) proposal for a sports infrastructure transition fund.[citation needed]
Soon after the 2007 election Ferguson was appointed as the
He was subsequently elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly at the 2010 state election,[2] securing the highest number of primary votes in Bass (1.5 quotas) and the second highest vote in the state. In April 2010 Ferguson was appointed as Shadow Minister for Education and Skills; and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology.[citation needed]
Ferguson was re-elected at the
As Health Minister, Ferguson has led an ambitious and somewhat contentious reform of the Tasmanian health system by merging the previously three health services into one and changing the services delivered at each of the four hospitals in the state.[4][5] He has also taken charge of the redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital to ensure that the much-promised building eventuates.[6][7]
His tenure has not been without incident with his appointment of an interim CEO of the merged health service having a side interest in alternative therapies[8] and a series of electrical and computer failures at the ambulance service.[9]
In January 2020, Premier Will Hodgman resigned and Ferguson was a candidate to succeed him as Premier and Liberal leader but ultimately withdrew from the leadership contest. Treasurer Peter Gutwein was instead elected unopposed as Hodgman's successor. There was speculation that Ferguson would succeed Gutwein as Treasurer[10] but in the end Premier Gutwein chose to retain the Treasury portfolio.
On 8 April 2022, after Gutwein resigned as Premier, deputy party leader Jeremy Rockliff became party leader, and Ferguson was elected as deputy party premier to replace Rockliff. Ferguson was sworn in as Deputy Premier of Tasmania that afternoon.[2][11][12]
Political views
Ferguson has been described as a "
Ferguson opposed the 2023 Voice to Parliament.[15]
References
- ^ "Mr Michael Ferguson MP". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ a b c "Michael Darrel Joseph Ferguson". Members of the Parliament of Tasmania. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Cabinet". Tasmanian Department of Premier and Cabinet. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Concerns over how State Government's overhaul of the health system will be funded". The Mercury. 29 June 2015.
- ^ "White Paper heralds a turning point for state health system". The Mercury. 9 July 2015.
- ^ "Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment plan better value: Tasmanian Government". ABC News.
- ^ "State Government unveils new Royal Hobart Hospital plans". The Mercury.
- ^ "Health is in good hands". The Mercury. 27 June 2015.
- ^ "Ambulance Tasmania systems under review after second communication outage in 24 hours". ABC News.
- ^ "Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson tipped as new Treasurer". The Examiner.
- ^ Alexandra Humphries (8 April 2022). "Jeremy Rockliff, Michael Ferguson announced as Tasmania's leadership team". ABC News.
- ^ "Jeremy Rockliff becomes Tasmania's 47th premier after being elected as state Liberal leader". The Guardian. 8 April 2022.
- ^ Baker, Emily (17 January 2020). "Who are Tasmanian premiership candidates Peter Gutwein and Michael Ferguson?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ Whitson, Rhiana (21 November 2018). "Tasmania poised to become first state to have gender optional on birth certificates". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ Massola, James (1 September 2023). "Small states' premiers speak out on Voice as Minns, Andrews hang back". Retrieved 1 September 2023.