Tony Rundle
|
The Honourable Tony Rundle AO |
|
|---|---|
| 40th Premier of Tasmania | |
|
In office 18 March 1996 – 14 September 1998 |
|
| Preceded by | Ray Groom |
| Succeeded by | Jim Bacon |
| Constituency | Braddon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
5 March 1939 Scottsdale, Tasmania, Australia |
| Nationality |
 Australian
|
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Watt |
| Children | twins Helen and Jane |
Anthony Maxwell (Tony) Rundle AO (born 5 March 1939 in Scottsdale, Tasmania) was the Premier of the Australian State of Tasmania from 18 March 1996 to 14 September 1998. He succeeded Ray Groom and was succeeded himself by Jim Bacon. He is a Liberal who held the seat of Braddon between 1986 and 2002. A former journalist, he is married to Caroline Watt. He has twin daughters Helen and Jane from his first marriage.
Rundle was first elected as member for Braddon in 1986 he held the seat during the 1989, 1992 and 1996 elections. He served as Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 1988 to 1989.
During the 1996 election, Liberal Premier Ray Groom promised he would only govern in majority. At that election, the Liberals suffered a three-seat swing and lost their majority. The Labor Party refused to enter into any agreement with the Greens, leaving a Liberal minority government backed by the Greens as the only realistic option. Groom resigned rather than break his pre-election pledge, and Rundle was elected Liberal leader and hence Premier.
During Rundle's minority government; unemployment rose and the state economy struggled. The Labor party exploited this in hopes of discrediting the Liberals' economic credibility. However, others simply blamed the bad economic conditions on lack of investment in the state for fear of minority government. In his government Rundle granted the Greens offices, staff and more parliamentary resources.
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