Winter is over as Labor elects new leader

Dean Winter has been dumped as Labor Leader and replaced by Josh Willie, with Janie Finlay to be his deputy.

The leadership spill comes after Mr Winter’s unsuccessful no-confidence motion yesterday.

However, it is understood that a Labor caucus vote earlier today was nine to four in favour of Mr Winter.

If neither he nor Mr Willie stood aside during the party room meeting, the outcome would have been decided by a ballot of Labor MPs and rank-and-file members.

Mr Willie said it was a great honour to be elected as Labor Leader.

“Tasmanian Labor has a proud history and I look forward to giving this role everything I’ve got to return Labor to government,” he said.

“I’d like to thank Dean Winter for his service.

“He’s a proud Tasmanian with strong Labor values and he’ll continue to work to make Tasmania a better place.”

Mr Winter congratulated Mr Willie on his election.

“As Leader, I take full responsibility for our election result, and it is understandable that Labor has a new leader moving forward,” he said.

“Leading the Labor Party has been the honour of my life.

“While the election result didn’t go the way I wanted, I will forever be proud that Labor stopped the disastrous 2025-26 Barnett Budget from ever passing Parliament, and that the Rockliff privatisation agenda is now dead.”

Mr Winter said he did not regret how negotiations with the Greens and the crossbench went.

“Some say that politics is the art of compromise, but compromise does not and should not mean capitulation.

“There is a line where you must stand up for what is right.

“I will never resile from standing strong and true to my word, especially when it comes to Tasmanian workers and traditional industries, including salmon workers and the racing community I care deeply about.

“My word is my bond.”

The now former Labor Leader said if he “sold out the workers, like Jeremy Rockliff has”, he could have been premier.

“I could never do that,” Mr Winter said.

“Those in the Parliament who preach the loudest about integrity and rebuilding trust don’t understand the meaning of the words.”

Mr Winter said he would remain in parliament.