Peter Gutwein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Gutwein
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![]() Gutwein in 2020
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46th Premier of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||
In office 20 January 2020 – 8 April 2022 |
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Monarch | Elizabeth II | ||||||||||||||||||
Governor | Kate Warner Barbara Baker |
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Deputy | Jeremy Rockliff | ||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Will Hodgman | ||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Jeremy Rockliff | ||||||||||||||||||
Treasurer of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||
In office 31 March 2014 – 8 April 2022 |
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Premier | Will Hodgman Himself |
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Preceded by | Lara Giddings | ||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Michael Ferguson | ||||||||||||||||||
Leader of the Liberal Party of Tasmania | |||||||||||||||||||
In office 20 January 2020 – 8 April 2022 |
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Preceded by | Will Hodgman | ||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Jeremy Rockliff | ||||||||||||||||||
Member of the Tasmanian Parliament for Bass |
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In office 20 July 2002 – 8 April 2022 Serving with Ferguson, Courtney, Houston, O'Byrne
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Succeeded by | Simon Wood | ||||||||||||||||||
Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||
Born | England, United Kingdom |
21 December 1964 ||||||||||||||||||
Political party | Liberal (until 2023) | ||||||||||||||||||
Alma mater | Deakin University | ||||||||||||||||||
Occupation | Financial adviser hotelier |
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Peter Carl Gutwein (born 21 December 1964) is a former Australian politician. He served as the 46th premier of Tasmania from 2020 to 2022. The premier is the leader of the government in a state like Tasmania. He was a member of the Liberal Party and represented the Bass area in the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 2002 until 2022.
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Early Life and Sports
Peter Gutwein was born in England in 1964. He was the oldest of six children. His mother was British, and his father was from Europe. In 1969, his family moved to Australia. They settled in Launceston, Tasmania.
Gutwein grew up in a small village called Nunamara. When he was 16, he became an Australian citizen. He went to Myrtle Park Primary School and Queechy High School. Later, he studied at Deakin University in Melbourne. As an adult, Gutwein shared that he had a very difficult experience as a teenager when a teacher hurt him.
Before he became a politician, Gutwein was a talented Australian rules football player. He played as a midfielder for the East Launceston Football Club. He also played one game for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) in 1986. After his sports career, he worked with money and finances in Australia and Europe.
Getting into Politics
Gutwein's political journey began in 1995. He met a politician named Warwick Smith, who encouraged him to join the Liberal Party. Gutwein helped Smith win his election in 1996. After that, he worked as an adviser for Senator Jocelyn Newman.
In 2002, Gutwein was elected to the Tasmanian parliament. He became a "shadow minister," which means he was in charge of watching over the government's work in areas like the economy and jobs. At one point, he voted with a different political party on an important issue. This is called crossing the floor and is very unusual.
When the Liberal Party won the election in 2014, Gutwein became the Treasurer of Tasmania. The treasurer is in charge of the state's money. He also held other important jobs, including looking after the environment and parks.
A Career in Government
As a government minister, Gutwein was known for being a strong voice for Tasmania. He worked hard to get a Tasmanian team into the Australian Football League (AFL).
Sometimes, his strong opinions got him into trouble in parliament. He was once suspended from parliament 16 times, more than any other member at the time. This happens when a politician breaks the rules during a debate.
Becoming Premier of Tasmania
In January 2020, the premier, Will Hodgman, decided to step down. Peter Gutwein was chosen to be the new leader of the Liberal Party and became the 46th Premier of Tasmania.
One of his first major challenges was leading the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, he made a rule that anyone traveling to Tasmania had to stay in one place for 14 days. This was done to help stop the spread of the virus.
In 2021, Gutwein called an early election. His party won, which was the first time the Liberal Party in Tasmania had won three elections in a row.
Resigning as Premier
On 4 April 2022, Gutwein surprised many people by announcing he was resigning as premier and leaving politics. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family. His deputy, Jeremy Rockliff, took over as the new premier. After leaving politics, Gutwein did not renew his membership with the Liberal Party.
Life Outside of Politics
Peter Gutwein lives in the Tamar Valley with his wife and two children. He is skilled in the martial art of taekwondo and has earned a black belt. He also has two pet goats named Alan and Teddy.
In 2024, Gutwein walked across Tasmania to raise money for migrant communities in the state. He is also involved in local sports, helping the Scottsdale Football Club and the Northern Tasmanian Football Association.