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 20 April 1969) is an Australian politician and diplomat who is now retired. He served as the Premier of Tasmania from 2014 to 2020. During this time, he was also the state leader of the Liberal Party. After his time as Premier, he worked as the High Commissioner of Australia to Singapore from 2021 to 2023.
Will Hodgman comes from a family with a strong history in politics. Both his father, Michael, his uncle, Peter, and his grandfather, Bill Hodgman, were also involved in parliament. He studied arts and law at the University of Tasmania. After finishing his studies, he worked as a lawyer in Hobart. Hodgman was first elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 2002. He became the leader of the Liberal Party and the Leader of the Opposition in 2006.
In the 2014 election, Hodgman led the Liberal Party to a big win. They formed a majority government in Tasmania for the first time in over 20 years. His party won a second term 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, also served in the Tasmanian Parliament. His grandfather, Bill Hodgman, was a member of both parts of the Tasmanian Parliament. He even became the President of the Legislative Council.
Will Hodgman went to The Hutchins School. He then studied at the University of Tasmania. He earned degrees in Arts and Law in 1993 and 1994.
Family Life
Will Hodgman is married to Nicola. They have two sons, William and James, and a daughter named Lily.
Legal Career
Before entering politics, Hodgman worked as a lawyer. He became a Barrister and Solicitor in 1994. He worked for a law firm in Hobart called Wallace Wilkinson & Webster. He also spent 15 months working for the Wiltshire County Council in the UK.
In the UK, he worked as a prosecutor and advocate. He represented the Council in various courts. He returned to Wallace Wilkinson & Webster in 1998. He continued to practice law until he was elected to Parliament.
Political Journey
Hodgman started his political career in 2002. He was elected to Parliament for the area of Franklin. Soon after, he became the deputy leader of the Liberal Party. His father was also elected in a nearby area at the same time.
He was re-elected in the 2006 election. He received a much higher percentage of votes than before. On 30 March 2006, he was chosen as the leader of Tasmania's Liberal Party. Jeremy Rockliff became his deputy.
In the 2018 election, Hodgman received the most first preference votes ever for a candidate in a Tasmanian state election. He has held many important roles in Tasmania. These include Attorney General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Tourism. He also served as Minister for Trade and Minister for the Arts.
The 2010 Election
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 government on their own. The Liberals and the Labor Party each won 10 seats. The Tasmanian Greens held the remaining five seats.
The Liberal Party won the most votes overall. The Premier at the time, David Bartlett, had said the party with the most votes should form government. However, a deal could not be reached with the Greens. So, Labor continued to govern with the Greens' support.
Winning the 2014 Election
Before the 2014 Tasmanian state election, polls suggested the Liberals might win. Hodgman promised that he would only govern if his party won a majority government. This meant they needed to win enough seats to not rely on other parties.
On election night, Hodgman led the Liberal Party to a big victory. They gained more seats in almost every area. This ensured Hodgman would have a clear majority. The Liberals won 15 seats, which was a strong win for Tasmania.
Hodgman himself received many votes in his area of Franklin. He became the 45th Premier of Tasmania on 31 March 2014. He was only the fifth non-Labor Premier in 80 years.
The 2018 Election
Hodgman called for an election on March 3, 2018. He again stated that his party would only govern if they won a majority. It was thought that it might be hard for the Liberals to keep their majority. This was because other parties like the Greens were doing well in polls.
The Liberals lost two seats in the election. However, they 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 27,184 first preference votes. This was the highest number ever in a Tasmanian state election.
On 14 January 2020, Hodgman announced he would resign as Premier. He also said he would leave state parliament. He mentioned the impact his long political career had on his family. His three children had grown up during his 17 years in parliament. On 20 January, Peter Gutwein became the new Liberal leader and Premier.
Will Hodgman is unique because he never spent time as a regular member of parliament without a leadership role. He was always either deputy opposition leader, opposition leader, or Premier during his time in the House of Assembly.
After Politics
After leaving state politics, Hodgman took on new roles. On 15 April 2020, he was named the first chair of the new Australian Business Growth Fund.
In November 2020, Hodgman was appointed the next Australian High Commissioner to Singapore. He started this job on 9 February 2021. His term ended on 13 February 2023.
In 2023, Hodgman was also appointed as a professor at the University of Tasmania.
