Tasmanian cabinet minister Jane Howlett has resigned her portfolios for "personal reasons" after the death of her brother but will remain in state parliament, Premier Peter Gutwein says.
It is the second ministerial resignation in three weeks after former education minister Sarah Courtney quit cabinet and politics amid criticism over a holiday to Europe.
Ms Howlett had been minister for racing, women, small business, hospitality and events, and disability services.
"This has been a very difficult decision for Jane, however I support and respect her decision to prioritise the wellbeing of her family during this challenging time," Mr Gutwein said.
Mr Gutwein's new cabinet was sworn in last week following Ms Courtney's resignation.
"Now, I know that she said that she wanted to do that, but I know that when I was at Government House that morning and I saw her and watched her be there as a part of that, it struck a chord with me, and I'm never going to allow something like that to occur again.
"This [politics] is the one business that people, regardless of personal circumstances, regardless of what's occurring outside of their job, they are expected to stand up and just get on with it."
Mr Gutwein said Ms Howlett would remain as the Member for Prosser in the Legislative Council, but has taken a couple of weeks' leave from work.
Ms Howlett was elected to the state's Upper House in 2018.
She was appointed to cabinet two years later after supporting Mr Gutwein in his bid for leadership.
She lost the sports portfolio to Nic Street in last week’s cabinet reshuffle, despite Mr Gutwein declaring her the state's best-ever sports minister.
Mr Gutwein was sworn in to Ms Howlett's portfolios this morning, and said he would hold them before they are re-assigned.
"I want to sincerely thank Jane for her hard work and I know that she'll continue to serve the Tasmanian community with a high level of commitment and hard work as she has done in the past," he said.
"I would hope that at some stage in the future, should and opportunity arise, that she might be a minister again."
