Premier is rushed hospital suffering from an undisclosed illness after becoming sick at work
- Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has been hospitalised with mystery illness
- State leader became unwell at work with no medical issues identified as of yet
- Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced he would step-up to lead Tasmania
- Mr Gutwein will need several days off to undergo numerous tests and recover
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has been rushed to hospital with an undisclosed illness after he became unwell at his office.
While no medical issues have been identified as of yet, the state leader will continue to undergo numerous tests and will need several days to recover.
Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced he will be stepping up to lead the state while Mr Gutwein takes time away from his Launceston office to rest.
Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein (pictured) has been hospitalised with an undisclosed illness
‘Arrangements are being made to cover his absence from Parliament this week,’ the deputy premier said in a media release.
‘An update will be provided later this week on the Premier’s health and when he will return to work.’
Tasmanians were quick to send the state leader their well-wishes on Twitter.
‘Wishing him a full and speedy recovery,’ one woman wrote.
‘Hope he’s ok and recovers from whatever it is,’ a second commented.
Just three days prior to his hospitalisation, Mr Gutwein delivered the government’s eighth Tasmanian Budget in parliament.
The premier – who is also state treasurer – announced an additional $900million would be used to boost Tasmania’s health system.
The 2021-22 budget included $10.7billion for health for the next four years, with $8billion set aside for skills, education and training to aid unemployed workers.
Tasmania’s unemployment rate currently sits at 4.5 per cent which is expected to increase to 5.5 per cent this year.
‘Confidence has stayed high, investment has flooded in, and at the moment our economy is in rude good health,’ Mr Gutwein said on Friday.
‘This budget puts us back on track to being back in the black. This is a budget for our times.’
The state leader revealed $5.5million will be invested into various infrastructure projects while a generous $615million will be used to improve affordable housing and tackling homelessness.
The budget also included a $300million safety blanket for unforeseen circumstances.
More to come.