On behalf of the Australian Government, I congratulate Paul Lennon on his productive four years as Premier of Tasmania.
Entering state parliament in 1990, Premier Lennon has had a long and distinguished career serving the people of Tasmania for over 30 years in public life as a unionist and politician.
Mr Lennon served in the office of Deputy Premier with distinction on the election of the Bacon Government in 1998. As well as Deputy Premier Mr Lennon took carriage of a series of senior portfolios in the Bacon Government. During that time he was often described as the engine-room of the State Government.
In the most tragic of circumstances, Premier Lennon stepped up to the Premiership of Tasmania in February 2004 with the resignation of the late Jim Bacon.
As Premier, Mr Lennon was a proud and fierce advocate for the interests of his beloved state.
Premier Lennon was dedicated to the cause of developing modern economic infrastructure in Tasmania and was determined to bridge the gap between indigenous and non indigenous Australians in Tasmania.
I wish Mr Lennon, his wife Margaret and their family the very best of luck and every success in their future endeavours.