2025 Tasmanian Labor Party leadership election

2025 Tasmanian Labor Party
leadership election

←  2024 20 August 2025 (2025-08-20)

Candidate Dean Winter Josh Willie First 9 4 Final withdrew unopposed Division Franklin Clark Faction Right Left

Leader before election Dean Winter Right Elected Leader Josh Willie Left

The 2025 Tasmanian Labor Party leadership election was held on 20 August 2025 to elect the leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party and, ex officio, Leader of the Opposition. ^[1] The election took place after Labor lost the state election held on 19 July 2025, their fifth consecutive election loss. ^[2]

Josh Willie was successful in his leadership bid, defeating Dean Winter. ^[3] Janie Finlay was elected unopposed to replace Anita Dow as deputy leader.

Leadership candidates and nomination

Labor Left is the largest faction within Tasmanian Labor. ^[4] According to former leader Bryan Green, whoever the left nominates is likely to win the entire leadership election. Labor Left in Tasmania met on the morning of 20 August to decide who they would nominate for the party's leadership election. ^[4]

Labor Left

Declared

• Josh Willie, member of the House of Assembly for Clark (2025–), member of the Legislative Council for Elwick (2016–2024) and Labor nominee for Leader of the House (2025). ^[4]

Withdrawn

• Ella Haddad, member of the House of Assembly for Clark (2018–) and Labor nominee for Special Minister of State (2025). ^[5]

Labor Right

Labor Right is the smaller of the two factions within Tasmanian Labor. Its sole candidate for the leadership election is Dean Winter, who threatened to 'blow up' the party if his leadership was challenged. ^[5]

Declared

• Dean Winter, member of the House of Assembly for Franklin (2021–) and leader of the opposition (2024–).

Results

Matthew Denholm of The Australian reported that Willie's four votes in the parliamentary Labor Party came from himself, Ella Haddad, Meg Brown, and Brian Mitchell. ^[6]

Deputy leadership

2025 Tasmanian Labor Party
deputy leadership election

←  2024 20 August 2025 (2025-08-20)

Candidate Janie Finlay Caucus vote unopposed Seat Franklin Faction Right

Deputy Leader before election Anita Dow Left Elected Deputy Leader Janie Finlay Right

Candidates

Declared

• Janie Finlay, member of the House of Assembly for Bass (2021–) and mayor of Launceston (2002–2005). ^[7]

Speculated

• Anita Dow, member of the House of Assembly for Braddon (2018–), deputy-leader of the opposition (2021–2025) and mayor of Burnie (2014–2017). ^[8]

References

1. "Dean Winter under pressure as Josh Willie puts hand up in Labor leadership contest". Pulse Tasmania. 20 August 2025. Archived from the original on 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
2. MacDonald, Lucy (20 August 2025). "Dean Winter and Josh Willie jostling for Tasmanian Labor leadership, ABC understands". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
3. "Breaking: Josh Willie replaces Dean Winter as Tasmanian Labor leader". ABC News. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
4. "Winter and Willie jostling for Tasmanian Labor leadership". ABC News. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
5. "Josh Willie reportedly eyeing Tasmanian Labor leadership as party meets". Pulse Tasmania. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
6. Denholm, Matthew (20 August 2025). "Tasmanian Labor Party jumps to the left after rocky election outcome" . The Australian . Archived from the original on 20 August 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025. It is understood the four MPs who backed in him the PLP were himself and fellow left faction MPs Ella Haddad, Meg Brown – the niece of Left powerbroker Senator Carol Brown – and former federal MP turned state politician Brian Mitchell.
7. "Breaking: Josh Willie replaces Dean Winter as Tasmanian Labor leader". ABC News. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
8. https://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/tas-labor-leadership-spill-josh-willie-emerges-as-likely-challenger/news-story/b6aa3e4da81e7983163def57a9a9aefb