Premier Jeremy Rockliff visits King Island

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is visiting King Island today as part of his campaign for re-election in the upcoming state election on 19 July. He is accompanied by former Liberal Federal MP for Braddon, Gavin Pearce, who was approached just six weeks into his retirement to also contest the state seat of Braddon.

As the incumbent Liberal Member for Braddon, which encompasses King Island, Premier Rockliff and liberal candidate Mr Pearce are engaging directly with local residents and businesses during their visit.

A highlight of the Premier's itinerary is a staff barbecue at King Island Dairy, where he will meet with workers, community members, and Graeme Wilson, one of the dairy's new co-owners. Wilson, along with business partner Nick Dobromilsky, acquired the dairy earlier this year under the newly formed entity King Island Dairy 2 Pty Ltd. Their acquisition, supported by a $10 million package from the Tasmanian Government, has preserved approximately 60 local jobs and ensured the continuation of the iconic brand. The comprehensive package includes a $2.5 m grant for facility upgrades, payroll and stamp duty relief and access to a concessional loan facility of up to $15m.

Later today, Premier Rockliff will host an informal meet-and-greet at the King Island Hotel from 5:00 PM, offering locals a chance to discuss issues and hear directly from him about his plans for the region.

The visit comes as King Island faces ongoing concerns around essential services, infrastructure, and freight reliability, all pressing issues in the lead-up to the election.

Residents are encouraged to attend and take the opportunity to share their views with the Premier.