Will Hodgman
A pragmatic Tasmanian leader who ended 16 years of Labor rule to become Premier, focusing on economic revival before a surprising diplomatic pivot.
Born 1969 (age 57)·45th Premier of Tasmania, Australia·Birthday: April 20·Generation X
Biography
Will Hodgman brought a dose of steady, retail-style politics to the often turbulent arena of Tasmanian government. Scion of a prominent political family—his father, uncle, and brother all served in federal parliament—Hodgman nonetheless cultivated an image as a relatable local. First elected to the Tasmanian parliament in 2002, he took over the state's Liberal Party leadership in 2006, patiently rebuilding its fortunes through multiple election cycles. His breakthrough came in 2014 when he led the party to victory, ending a long stretch of Labor-led governments. As the 45th Premier of Tasmania, his tenure was defined by a business-friendly agenda focused on tourism, agriculture, and what he termed 'getting the state back on track.' He championed major infrastructure projects and pursued a stable, majority-government approach. In a move that surprised many, he stepped down in 2020 at the height of his popularity, citing family reasons, and later embraced a diplomatic career as Australia's High Commissioner to Singapore, applying his consensus-building skills to international trade and relations.
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.
Will was born in 1969, 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 Will Was Born
The biggest hits of 1969
#1 Movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Best Picture
Midnight Cowboy
#1 TV Show
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Will's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1969Born
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1974Started school
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1982Became a teenager
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Could drive
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1987Could vote
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Turned 21
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1999Turned 30
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 40
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 50
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 57 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the 45th Premier of Tasmania from 2014 to 2020, leading the first majority Liberal government in the state in over two decades.
- Held the role of Leader of the Tasmanian Liberal Party for 14 years, from 2006 to 2020.
- Appointed as Australia's High Commissioner to Singapore, serving from 2021 to 2023.
- Oversaw a period of significant economic growth and record tourism numbers for Tasmania during his premiership.
Did You Know?
He is a direct descendant of William Hodgman, a convict transported to Tasmania in 1819.
He is a passionate supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League.
He worked as a solicitor before entering politics full-time.
His father, Michael Hodgman, was a federal MP known as the 'People's Warden' and his brother, Peter, also served in the Australian Senate.
“We are open for business, we are backing business, and we are building a better future for all Tasmanians.”
