Josh Willie is the new Tasmanian Labor leader, replacing Dean Winter.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Opposition whip Meg Brown said “in accordance with Labor Party rules, the leadership was spilled at today’s caucus meeting”.
Mr Winter led a failed no-confidence motion in parliament yesterday, which officially resulted in Labor losing the July 19 state election.
Tasmania’s Labor Party had been locked in a day-long leadership discussion since 9am.
Josh Willie said he looked forward to working “to return Labor to government”. (ABC News: Owain Stia James)
The party’s dominant left faction had earlier held a meeting in the morning, where Mr Willie won a ballot against fellow Clark MP Ella Haddad to become the left’s leadership candidate.
“It is a great honour to be elected Leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party,” Mr Willie said in a statement.
“Tasmanian Labor has a proud history and I look forward to giving this role everything I’ve got to return Labor to government.”
Mr Willie thanked Mr Winter for his service, saying he had “strong Labor values”.
Jeremy Rockliff retains power — at it happened
The party’s leader and deputy leader roles automatically spilled after Labor’s election defeat.
Janie Finlay from the party’s right faction was elected unopposed as new deputy leader, replacing Anita Dow.
The ABC understands many in the Labor party caucus still supported Dean Winter to remain as leader at today’s meeting.
The ABC understands that many in the Labor party caucus still supported Dean Winter to remain as leader
But if it had come to a ballot, the party’s rank and file members, who are dominated by the left faction, would likely have backed Mr Willie.
After hours of debate, Mr Winter chose not to recontest the leadership.
Winter: ‘I take full responsibility’ for election loss
Dean Winter lost a no-confidence motion in Tasmania’s parliament by a vote of 24-10 on Tuesday. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)
Worst result ever for Tasmanian Labor
In a statement, Mr Winter said he took “full responsibility for our election result”.
“It is understandable that Labor has a new leader moving forward,” he said.
“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 hit back at criticism from the newly elected crossbench that his approach to forming minority government had not shown sufficient compromise.
“I will never resile from standing strong and true to my word,” he said.
“Especially when it comes to Tasmanian workers and traditional industries, including salmon workers and the [greyhound] racing community I care deeply about.
“My word is my bond. I knew if I sold out the workers, like Jeremy Rockliff has, I could have been Premier. I could never do that.”
Mr Winter became party leader after the 2024 election defeat led by long-serving leader Rebecca White.
He will continue to serve as the Labor Member for Franklin.