Will Hodgman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Will Hodgman
MP
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Hodgman in 2012
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| 45th Premier of Tasmania | |
| In office 31 March 2014 – 20 January 2020 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Peter Underwood Kate Warner |
| Deputy | Jeremy Rockliff |
| Preceded by | Lara Giddings |
| Succeeded by | Peter Gutwein |
| 18th Australian High Commissioner to Singapore | |
| In office 9 February 2021 – 9 February 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Scott Morrison Anthony Albanese |
| Preceded by | Bruce Gosper |
| Succeeded by | Allaster Cox |
| Leader of the Opposition of Tasmania | |
| In office 30 March 2006 – 31 March 2014 |
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| Deputy | Jeremy Rockliff |
| Preceded by | Rene Hidding |
| Succeeded by | Bryan Green |
| Leader of the Liberal Party of Tasmania | |
| In office 30 March 2006 – 20 January 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Rene Hidding |
| Succeeded by | Peter Gutwein |
| Member of the Tasmanian Parliament for Franklin |
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| In office 20 July 2002 – 20 January 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Matt Smith |
| Succeeded by | Nic Street |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Edward Felix Hodgman
20 April 1969 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Nicola Hodgman |
| Relations |
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| Children | William, James and Lily Hodgman |
| Alma mater | University of Tasmania |
William Edward Felix Hodgman, born on April 20, 1969, is an Australian politician and diplomat who has now retired from these roles. He was the Premier of Tasmania from 2014 to 2020. The Premier is the leader of the government in the Australian state of Tasmania. He also led the Liberal Party in Tasmania from 2006 to 2020.
After his time as Premier, he served as the High Commissioner of Australia to Singapore from 2021 to 2023. A High Commissioner is like an ambassador, representing their country in another Commonwealth country.
Will Hodgman comes from a family with a strong history in politics. His father, Michael Hodgman, his uncle, Peter Hodgman, and his grandfather, Bill Hodgman, all served in parliament before him. He studied arts and law at the University of Tasmania and worked as a lawyer in Hobart.
Hodgman was first elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 2002. This is the main law-making body in Tasmania. He became the leader of the Liberal Party and the Leader of the Opposition in 2006. The Leader of the Opposition leads the main party that is not in government.
In the 2014 election, Hodgman led the Liberal Party to a big win, forming a majority government. This means his party won enough seats to govern without needing support from other parties. They won again in 2018. He resigned as Premier in 2020 after nearly six years in the role.
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Early Life and Education
Will Hodgman was born in April 1969. His father, Michael Hodgman, was a Liberal politician. His uncle, Peter Hodgman, was also a Member of the Tasmanian Parliament. His grandfather, Bill Hodgman, served in both parts of the Tasmanian Parliament and was even the President of the Legislative Council.
He went to Hutchins School and then the University of Tasmania. He earned degrees in Arts and Law in 1993 and a certificate in Legal Practice in 1994.
Family Life
Will Hodgman is married to Nicola. They have two sons named William and James, and a daughter named Lily.
Legal Career
Hodgman became a Barrister and Solicitor in 1994. This means he was qualified to argue cases in court and advise people on legal matters. He worked at a law firm in Hobart called Wallace Wilkinson & Webster.
He then worked for the Wiltshire County Council in the UK for 15 months. There, he acted as a prosecutor and lawyer for the Council in various courts. In 1998, he returned to Wallace Wilkinson & Webster. He worked in criminal law and personal injury cases until he was elected to Parliament.
Political Journey
Hodgman entered the Tasmanian Parliament in the 2002 election. He represented the area of Franklin. Soon after, he was chosen as the deputy leader of his party. His father was also elected in a nearby area at the same time.
In the 2006 election, Hodgman received a much higher number of votes. On March 30, 2006, he was chosen as the leader of Tasmania's Liberal Party. He took over from Rene Hidding. Jeremy Rockliff became his deputy.
In the 2018 election, Hodgman received the highest number of first preference votes ever for any candidate in a Tasmanian state election.
Hodgman is one of Tasmania's longest-serving Premiers. Besides being Premier, he held many other important roles. These included Attorney General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Tourism, and Minister for Trade. He also looked after areas like Parks, Heritage, and Aboriginal Affairs.
2010 Election Outcome
Hodgman led the Liberal Party in the 2010 Tasmanian state election. The election resulted in a hung parliament. This means no single party won enough seats to form a majority government on its own. Both the Liberals and the Labor Party won 10 seats each. The Tasmanian Greens held the "balance of power" with five seats. This meant their support was needed for either major party to govern.
Before the election, the Premier at the time, David Bartlett, said the party with the most votes should form the government. The Liberals won slightly more votes. Bartlett and his party initially agreed to step down. However, Hodgman did not talk to the Greens about forming a government. Bartlett then decided to continue as Premier, with the Greens' support. Hodgman said Bartlett had broken a promise.
2014 Election Victory
Before the 2014 Tasmanian state election, Hodgman promised that his party would only govern if they won a majority. This meant they would not form a government with other parties.
On election night, Hodgman led the Liberal Party to a big win. They gained more seats in almost every area. This gave Hodgman a clear majority in parliament. They ended up winning 15 seats, which was a strong victory for Tasmania's election system.
Hodgman himself received a very high number of votes in his area, Franklin. He was sworn in as the 45th Premier of Tasmania on March 31, 2014. He was only the fifth non-Labor Premier in 80 years.
2018 Election and Resignation
Hodgman called an election for March 3, 2018. He again stated that his party would only govern if they won a majority. It was thought that keeping their majority would be difficult.
During the election campaign, Hodgman and the Liberals promised to keep poker machines in pubs and clubs. They said banning them would risk many jobs.
The Liberals lost two seats but still won 13 seats, which was just enough for a majority. This was only the second time in 87 years that the non-Labor parties in Tasmania were re-elected with a clear majority. Hodgman personally received the highest number of first preference votes ever in a Tasmanian state election.
On January 14, 2020, Hodgman announced he would resign as Premier. He also said he would leave state parliament. He mentioned the impact his 17 years in politics had on his family. His time in parliament covered the "entire lives" of his three children. On January 20, Peter Gutwein was chosen as the new Liberal leader and became Premier.
Hodgman spent his entire time in the House of Assembly in a leadership role. He was either deputy opposition leader, opposition leader, or Premier. He never spent a day as a regular member of parliament.
Life After Politics
On April 15, 2020, Hodgman was announced as the first chairman of the new Australian Business Growth Fund.
In November 2020, Hodgman was appointed the next Australian High Commissioner to Singapore. He officially started this role on February 9, 2021. He finished his term on February 13, 2023.
In 2023, Hodgman was also appointed as a professor at the University of Tasmania.
See also
- Political families of Australia
