Tasmanian Liberal Michael Ferguson resigns from frontbench before no-confidence motion in parliament

A fixture of Tasmanian politics for the best part of two decades and with a burning ambition to be premier, Michael Ferguson suddenly finds himself on the backbench for the first time in his state political career. Tasmania's deputy premier resigns Photo shows Michael Ferguson resignation press conference, 14 October 2024 One of the most senior members of the Tasmanian Liberal government, Michael Ferguson, resigns in the face of growing scrutiny over the bungled rollout of new Spirit of Tasmania vessels. In his inaugural speech to federal parliament, Mr Ferguson detailed working for $2 an hour at a nursery and outlined the principles that would guide him as a federal MP, including to "encourage others to fulfil their potential; to show resolve when I am convinced as to the wisest and most honest course of action, without fooling myself that on every issue I will be right … and to be a team player in this place without sacrificing the people who sent me here". "He has, without doubt, been one of the state's greatest health ministers, he has done an outstanding job," Mr Hodgman said in the press conference announcing the reshuffle. The former chair of the ferry operator has now taken aim at the government over its "appalling" support But a hearing of a parliamentary inquiry into the Spirits bungle last Monday ultimately brought him undone, with the evidence of former TT-Line chair Mike Grainger convincing enough crossbench MPs that Mr Ferguson had failed so catastrophically as infrastructure minister that he couldn't hold any other portfolio.