Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has followed his predecessor in choosing his own moment to resign.
He leaves a hole in the Liberal Party's leadership just short of a full year into a new term of government, giving his successor three years to make their mark.
The Gutwein government has suffered several resignations since the last state election, losing ministers Sarah Courtney and Jane Howlett.
Of the remaining Liberal members of parliament, here are the likely contenders for the top job.
Jeremy Rockliff
The electorally popular Deputy Premier, who hails from the state's north-west, would be a safe pick for the top job.
Liberal sources have told the ABC that Jeremy Rockliff is "very keen" to take on the role.
Mr Rockliff is thought to have the support of his partyroom and could avoid a messy leadership ballot if all Liberal MPs fall in behind him.
He has been Tasmania's Deputy Premier since 2014, forming a leadership ticket with Mr Gutwein to take over when Will Hodgman resigned in 2020, and collecting large swaths of the vote in Braddon at last year's election.
He was well respected as education minister throughout his seven years in that portfolio prior to his appointment as Health Minister.
He is also Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries.
A moderate, he will be the last of the Liberal trio of himself, Mr Hodgman and Mr Gutwein elected in 2002 still in parliament.
Michael Ferguson
Michael Ferguson, a conservative whose portfolios cover Construction and Housing, Infrastructure and Transport, Finance, State Development and Local Government, was Mr Gutwein's main contender last time.
Mr Ferguson, along with Elise Archer as a deputy, formed a ticket against Mr Gutwein and Mr Rockliff but pulled out of the race before it came to a vote.
With the Premier resigning, Mr Ferguson may decide to run against Mr Rockliff and has yet to say anything publicly.
The one-time federal member for Bass, now-state politician, Mr Ferguson hails from Tasmania's north.
Mr Ferguson's most famous stint in the ministry was as health minister before the last state election.
He was eventually dumped in favour of Sarah Courtney following opposition calls for him to be sacked.
His relationship with the health sector had broken down amid ongoing issues with bed shortages and funding but then-premier Will Hodgman said the reshuffle was unrelated.
Mr Ferguson was in the news recently when he apologised for groaning in parliament during a question asked on behalf of a child sexual abuse survivor.
Elise Archer
Attorney-General Elise Archer is an outside chance but has previously demonstrated ambition to join the leadership team.
Ms Archer is the only potential candidate for the top spot whose electorate takes in Hobart and would represent a southern pick.
She also handles the portfolios of Justice, Corrections, Arts, and Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs.
She first joined state parliament in opposition in 2010 and later became the first female speaker of the House of Assembly when the Liberal Party rose to government.
Ms Archer chose to be Mr Ferguson's deputy on an ill-fated leadership ticket when Mr Hodgman resigned.
Like Mr Ferguson, Ms Archer made news in recent weeks after groaning in parliament during a question asked on behalf of a child sexual abuse survivor.
Other candidates
Other possibilities include Education Minister Roger Jaensch, a north-west MP who was first elected when the Liberals came to office in 2014, and Guy Barnett, a former Tasmanian senator who has been in cabinet since 2016 with responsibility for Primary Industries, Energy, and Resources.
