Today I have announced that I am stepping down as Leader of the Labor party.
It has been an enormous privilege to hold this position and I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and our broader membership for so many years.
I am proud of the campaign we ran this election and the work so many across our movement put in to try and deliver a change of government. Unfortunately we fell short and as leader I take responsibility.
It is time for a new leader to take on the opportunity of guiding our great party with the ambition to form government at the next election.
There are so many people I would like to thank for their kindness, support and mentorship over the years. There are too many to list but I want to pay particular thanks to my family who have stood with me throughout the highs and the lows. Mia and Hudson have never known a time when I wasn’t busy with my work and I look forward to spending more time watching them grow up and eating too much chocolate with them this Easter.
Thank you to my colleagues in the PLP for their care and support over the years. Together we have worked to develop a culture that is respectful and consultative and with capacity to deliver great improvements for our state. In particular I want to thank Anita Dow who has worked side by side with me as Deputy over the past three years and for whom I have the highest respect, admiration and appreciation.
I also want to thank my staff. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with some of the of the most genuine and dedicated people I have ever met. Every day I am inspired by their work ethic, professionalism and their motivation to make a difference to improve the lives of Tasmanians.
Thank you also to the membership and the affiliates of the Tasmanian Labor party for their support over many years. Ours is a great movement and I am constantly in awe of those who give so much to make a difference, in particular all the volunteers who give countless hours to progress our ideals and values.
Finally, I would like to thank very much the people of Lyons for placing their trust in me again. I will continue to work on their behalf in the Tasmanian Parliament and my office in Sorell remains open and accessible.
Thank you for all the messages and calls today too. It’s deeply appreciated.
Bec