David Bartlett
A tech-savvy premier who modernized Tasmania's government before stepping down early to prioritize family life.
Born 1968 (age 58)·43rd Premier of Tasmania·Birthday: January 19·Generation X
Biography
David Bartlett's political career was as much about digital transformation as it was about traditional governance. Elected to the Tasmanian Parliament in 2004, he rose quickly, becoming Premier in 2008 after a period of political instability. A former information technology professional, Bartlett brought a forward-thinking agenda to the island state. He launched the 'Digital Futures' strategy, aiming to connect every Tasmanian school with fiber-optic broadband and make the state a leader in the digital economy. His premiership, however, was marked by a challenging power-sharing arrangement with the Greens. In a move that stunned Australian politics, Bartlett announced his retirement from the premiership and parliament in 2011, citing a desire to be a more present father to his young children. His departure was seen as a rare instance of a politician openly prioritizing family over power, closing a brief but impactful chapter focused on preparing Tasmania for a technological future.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
David was born in 1968, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1968
#1 Movie
2001: A Space Odyssey
Best Picture
Oliver!
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1968Born
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1973Started school
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1981Became a teenager
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1984Could drive
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1986Could vote
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1989Turned 21
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1998Turned 30
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2008Turned 40
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 50
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 58 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the 43rd Premier of Tasmania in 2008, leading a Labor government.
- Spearheaded the 'Tasmanian Digital Futures' initiative to roll out high-speed broadband across the state.
- Oversaw the passage of the *Relationship Recognition Act 2008*, establishing a statewide registry for same-sex and significant relationships.
Did You Know?
Before politics, he worked as a business analyst and project manager in the IT industry.
He is an avid mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast.
Bartlett published a novel titled 'The Politician's Husband' after leaving public life.
“Government should be open source, transparent, and accessible to everyone.”
