# Dean Winter

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dean_Winter
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dean_Winter.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Winter
> Source revision: 1345399588
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Australian politician (born 1985)

For the American actor, see [Dean Winters](/source/Dean_Winters).

Dean Winter MP Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Franklin Incumbent Assumed office 1 May 2021 Serving with 6 others Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania In office 10 April 2024 – 20 August 2025 Premier Jeremy Rockliff Deputy Anita Dow Preceded by Rebecca White Succeeded by Josh Willie Personal details Born (1985-05-04) 4 May 1985 (age 41) Hobart, Tasmania, Australia Party Labor Shadow portfolios Since 2025 Willie Shadow Ministry 2025– Shadow Treasurer 2025– Shadow Minister for Planning 2025– Shadow Minister for Racing

**Dean Winter** (born 4 May 1985)[1] is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the [Tasmanian House of Assembly](/source/Tasmanian_House_of_Assembly) since the [2021 state election](/source/2021_Tasmanian_state_election), representing [Franklin](/source/Division_of_Franklin_(state)) for the [Labor Party](/source/Australian_Labor_Party_(Tasmanian_Branch)). He previously served as the [Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania](/source/Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Tasmania)) and as leader of the [Tasmanian Labor Party](/source/Tasmanian_Labor_Party) from April 2024 to August 2025. He was earlier elected as Mayor of [Kingborough Council](/source/Kingborough_Council) in 2018.

Following the resignation of [Tasmanian Labor Party](/source/Tasmanian_Labor_Party) leader [Rebecca White](/source/Rebecca_White), Winter was elected unopposed as her successor on 10 April 2024.[2]

After successfully moving a [motion of no-confidence](/source/Motion_of_no-confidence) in the [Premiership of Jeremy Rockliff](/source/Premiership_of_Jeremy_Rockliff), who had governed [in minority](/source/Minority_government) since the [preceding 2024 election](/source/2024_Tasmanian_state_election), Winter led Labor into the [2025 Tasmanian state election](/source/2025_Tasmanian_state_election), where the party maintained its 10 seats in the House of Assembly, but recorded its lowest primary vote in over 100 years. After moving an [unsuccessful no confidence motion](/source/2025_Tasmanian_government_formation#Formation) against Jeremy Rockliff and his government which failed to gain any crossbench support, Winter was defeated in a leadership spill and replaced as leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party by [Josh Willie](/source/Josh_Willie) on 20 August 2025.[3] He was subsequently appointed as a shadow minister, while continuing to represent the electorate of Franklin.

## Early life and education

Winter was born in [Hobart](/source/Hobart) while his family was living on Tasmania's West Coast where his father Murray worked as a miner for the [Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company](/source/Mount_Lyell_Mining_and_Railway_Company). Winter's parents met in Queenstown where his mother Margaret worked as a nurse at the Queenstown hospital. Margaret Winter is a descendant of William and Susanna Powell who, after arriving in Tasmania around 1850, married and settled in [Deloraine](/source/Deloraine%2C_Tasmania). Their son Francis moved to Queenstown in 1896 to work at Mount Lyell, before his son, and Winter's grandfather Les also worked at Mount Lyell. The family moved to Hobart when Dean was five. He suffered from a serious stutter as a child. The impairment was so bad his family travelled to Brisbane to seek specialist help, living in a caravan for six weeks.[4]

Winter attended [St Aloysius Catholic College](/source/St_Aloysius_Catholic_College), [St Virgil's College](/source/St_Virgil's_College) and the [University of Tasmania](/source/University_of_Tasmania). While at University, Winter undertook a cadetship at the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Winter's first job at the age of 15 was working as a service station attendant after being hired by [Nic Street](/source/Nic_Street)'s father. He later worked as a deli assistant at Woolworths.[5]

## Pre-parliamentary career

Winter was hired as an electorate officer for Labor MP and Tasmanian treasurer [Michael Aird](/source/Michael_Aird). He then worked in the Tasmanian Government Media Office before taking a role with Federal Labor MP [Julie Collins](/source/Julie_Collins).[6]

He subsequently became the chief executive officer of TasICT, the peak body representing Tasmania's [ICT](/source/Information_and_communications_technology) sector. This coincided with the [National Broadband Network](/source/National_Broadband_Network) rollout in Tasmania which subsequently became an issue in Tasmania at the [2013 Australian federal election](/source/2013_Australian_federal_election). Winter and TasICT argued the Tasmanian rollout should be completed using Fibre to the Premises (FttP) technology, while the Coalition had already announced it would use a mix of technologies, including Fibre to the Node (FttN), which they said would be easier and more affordable to deploy.[7]

Following the [2018 Tasmanian state election](/source/2018_Tasmanian_state_election), Winter was appointed senior economic adviser to Opposition leader [Rebecca White](/source/Rebecca_White).[8]

## Political career

Following an unsuccessful candidacy for the [Electoral division of Hobart](/source/Electoral_division_of_Hobart) at the [2012 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election](/source/2012_Tasmanian_Legislative_Council_periodic_election), Winter successfully contested the [Kingborough Council](/source/Kingborough_Council) election for the position of Councillor in 2014. The [Labor Left](/source/Labor_Left) faction attempted to censure Winter later in 2018, due to comments Winter made around Kingborough Council's behaviour being "authoritarian" in regards to an overturned decision that was made to destroy a dog, which were interpreted as anti-worker. Winter said that his criticism was aimed "at the leadership of council, not its staff". The censure attempt was unsuccessful, with White intervening to stop the issue from being addressed at the party conference.[8] Winter ultimately won the Kingborough mayoral election, held later that year, with 61.93% of the vote becoming youngest Kingborough Mayor ever.[9]

At the [2021 Tasmanian state election](/source/2021_Tasmanian_state_election), Winter was endorsed as one of the Labor candidates. He was initially denied preselection in the seat of [Franklin](/source/Division_of_Franklin_(state)) for the 2021 Tasmanian state election, with the [Labor Left](/source/Labor_Left) rumoured to be opposed to him becoming a candidate. Former Labor premier [David Bartlett](/source/David_Bartlett) labelled Winter an "outstanding candidate", and that by not preselecting him, Labor was effectively conceding the election.[10] Former Premiers [Paul Lennon](/source/Paul_Lennon)[11] and [Lara Giddings](/source/Lara_Giddings)[12] also expressed support for his candidacy.

Winter ended up being preselected as the sixth candidate for Franklin, following intervention from the party's national executive.[13] Winter was ultimately elected as one of two Labor MPs in Franklin, beating incumbent MP [Alison Standen](/source/Alison_Standen), and outperforming then-Labor MP [David O'Byrne](/source/David_O'Byrne).[14]

Winter is aligned with [Labor Right](/source/Labor_Right) and is a member of the [AWU](/source/Australian_Workers'_Union).[15] Winter used to support [privatisation](/source/Privatisation) in 2015, however by 2025 he opposes it.[16]

In August 2025, after relinquishing the Labor leadership, Winter was appointed [Shadow Treasurer](/source/Willie_shadow_ministry) by his successor, [Josh Willie](/source/Josh_Willie).[17]

## Opposition leader (2024–2025)

Winter was [elected](/source/2024_Tasmanian_Labor_Party_leadership_election) unopposed to replace [Rebecca White](/source/Rebecca_White) as Tasmanian Labor leader, following the party's defeat at the [2024 Tasmanian state election](/source/2024_Tasmanian_state_election).[2]

On becoming leader, Winter announced that the [Tasmanian Labor Party](/source/Tasmanian_Labor_Party) would focus on policies that create and protect jobs.[18] He also changed the party's position on the controversial [Macquarie Point Stadium](/source/Macquarie_Point_Stadium) project, saying that ″A stadium will mean thousands of jobs in construction, including hundreds of apprenticeships.″[19]

Following his Budget Reply speech on 3 June 2025, Winter introduced a [motion of no confidence](/source/Motion_of_no_confidence) against Premier [Jeremy Rockliff](/source/Jeremy_Rockliff) on 4 June 2025. Winter secured support from the [Tasmanian Greens](/source/Tasmanian_Greens) and three crossbench members: [Craig Garland](/source/Craig_Garland), [Kristie Johnston](/source/Kristie_Johnston), and [Andrew Jenner](/source/Andrew_Jenner). He rejected a Greens' amendment that referenced the economic impact of funding the [Macquarie Point Stadium](/source/Macquarie_Point_Stadium). The motion passed the [House of Assembly](/source/Tasmanian_House_of_Assembly) 18–17 on 5 June 2025, with Labor Speaker [Michelle O'Byrne](/source/Michelle_O'Byrne) casting the decisive vote. The supporting coalition comprised 10 Labor MPs, 5 Greens MPs, and the three crossbench members, while 14 Liberal MPs and 3 independents voted against the motion.[20]

The successful motion triggered speculation about Tasmania's fourth state election in seven years. On 7 June 2025, Greens' Leader [Rosalie Woodruff](/source/Rosalie_Woodruff) wrote to Winter offering supply and confidence to enable him to form government, stating that ″Tasmanians don't want an election, and neither do the Greens.″[21]

Winter was re-elected as a member for Franklin at the [2025 Tasmanian state election](/source/2025_Tasmanian_state_election).[22]

As the newly formed Parliament resumed, Winter once again called for a motion of no confidence, which was not backed by any other party or independent, with only the Labor party voting yes.[23]

On 20 August 2025, Winter was deposed as leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party after a caucus meeting. He was replaced by [Josh Willie](/source/Josh_Willie).

## Personal life

Winter married his wife, Allison, in 2014. He has one daughter, Harriet, and a son, George.[4]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Dean Winter"](https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/resources/about-parliament/historyindex/members/winter800). *Members of the [Parliament of Tasmania](/source/Parliament_of_Tasmania)*. Retrieved 26 July 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) ["Dean Winter elected as new leader of Tasmanian Labor Party"](https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/dean-winter-elected-as-new-leader-of-tasmanian-labor-party/). *Pulse Tasmania*. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Josh Willie replaces Dean Winter as Tasmanian Labor leader after election loss"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-20/josh-willie-new-tasmanian-labor-leader-replaces-dean-winter/105677982). *The ABC*. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-parliament.tas.gov.au_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-parliament.tas.gov.au_4-1) ["Parliament of Tasmania - Dean Winter MP Inaugural Speech"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240410140028/https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/house-of-assembly/inaugural/iswintermp). Archived from [the original](https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/house-of-assembly/inaugural/iswintermp) on 10 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Bailey, Sue (12 May 2024). ["Labor leader Dean Winter opens up about his highs and lows"](https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/labor-leader-dean-winter-opens-up-about-his-highs-and-lows/news-story/553bbe9e0ec88621144db0ac25cd04be). *[The Mercury (Hobart)](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. Retrieved 12 May 2024.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Experience | Dean Winter"](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-winter-mp-84893652/details/experience/). *www.linkedin.com*.[*[self-published source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Self-published_sources)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Turnbull clarifies Coalition's plan for superfast internet access in Tasmania"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-16/tasmanian-towns-warned-about-nbn-under-the-coalition/4891906). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ABC_News_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ABC_News_8-1) Whitson, Rhiana; Coulter, Ellen (11 September 2018). ["Labor left faction moves to have Rebecca White adviser ousted for not holding party 'values'"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-11/tasmanian-labor-left-moves-for-staffer-dean-winter-removal/10224998). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*. Retrieved 12 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Whitson, Rhiana (31 October 2018). ["Tasmanian council elections: Reynolds new mayor of Hobart, as Christie brings up the rear"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-31/tasmania-council-early-results/10447508). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*. Retrieved 12 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** MacDonald, Lucy; Langenberg, Adam (28 March 2021). ["Factional infighting results in popular Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter being denied Labor preselection"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/tasmanian-election-dean-winter-preselection-labor-party-split/13278624). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*. Retrieved 31 March 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Bailey, Sue (26 March 2021). ["Former premier Paul Lennon throws his support behind Dean Winter"](https://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/former-premier-paul-lennon-throws-his-support-behind-dean-winter-and-janie-finlay/news-story/76f4163cc0102869e62e5abb7edfabe8). *[The Mercury (Hobart)](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))*. Retrieved 7 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Compton, Leon (29 March 2021). ["He's Premier material and I think he will be one day': Lara Giddings says Dean Winter is part of the future of Tasmania and the Labor Party"](https://www.abc.net.au/radio/hobart/programs/mornings/lara-giddings-says-dean-winter-is-premier-material/13279670). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*. Retrieved 7 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Langenberg, Adam (6 April 2021). ["Dean Winter announced as Labor's candidate for Franklin, after preselection row"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-06/dean-winter-to-become-tas-labors-sixth-candidate/100050778). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Langenberg, Adam (2 May 2021). ["Tas election 2021: Peter Gutwein tops poll, claims Liberal victory"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-01/tasmanian-2021-state-election-liberals-head-for-majority-win/100084224). *[ABC News](/source/ABC_News_(Australia))*. Retrieved 12 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["National union body intervenes over Labor's snub of popular candidate"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-05/awu-intervenes-over-tas-labor-dean-winter-snub/100048610). *ABC News*. 4 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Tasmanian Labor leader Dean Winter defends party's opposition to privatisation after contradictory decade-old interview surfaces"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-12/tas-labor-dean-winter-privatisation-stance/105041632).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Knox, David (27 August 2025). ["Winter takes treasury in new shadow cabinet"](https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/winter-takes-treasury-in-new-shadow-cabinet/news-story/b8cfe69dc61f1363abda78506c62bb34). *The Mercury*. Retrieved 27 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Unknown](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/proindustry-mp-dean-winter-to-lead-tasmanian-labor-promising-focus-on-jobs/news-story/a5d2832d49625806563f7cb33b1807cc&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=LOW-Segment-1-SCORE&V21spcbehaviour=append)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Plenty of opposition to Tasmanian Labor's backflip on AFL stadium"](https://www.examiner.com.au/story/8626939/dean-winters-u-turn-on-hobart-stadium-sparks-backlash/). 13 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Votes and Proceedings No. 53"](https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/94095/v53-040625.pdf) (PDF). [Parliament of Tasmania](/source/Parliament_of_Tasmania), House of Assembly. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Woodruff, Rosalie (7 June 2025). ["Greens Ready To Offer Labor Confidence and Supply"](https://tasgreensmps.org/media-releases/greens-ready-to-offer-labor-confidence-and-supply/). *Tasmanian Greens MPs*. Retrieved 10 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Franklin - TAS Electorate, Candidates, Results"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/tas/2025/guide/fran). *www.abc.net.au*. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 19 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/only-labor-backs-failed-no-confidence-motion-against-premier-jeremy-rockliff/](https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/only-labor-backs-failed-no-confidence-motion-against-premier-jeremy-rockliff/)

Political offices Preceded by Rebecca White Leader of the Opposition (Tasmania) 2024–2025 Succeeded by Josh Willie Party political offices Preceded by Rebecca White Leader of the Labor Party in Tasmania 2024–2025 Succeeded by Josh Willie

v t e Current members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly Liberal (14) Eric Abetz Bridget Archer Guy Barnett Felix Ellis Michael Ferguson Rob Fairs Jane Howlett Roger Jaensch Madeleine Ogilvie Gavin Pearce Jacquie Petrusma Jeremy Rockliff Mark Shelton Marcus Vermey Labor (10) Shane Broad Meg Brown Jen Butler Anita Dow Janie Finlay Jess Greene Ella Haddad Brian Mitchell Josh Willie Dean Winter Greens (4) Tabatha Badger Vica Bayley Cecily Rosol Rosalie Woodruff SFF (1) Carlo Di Falco Independent (6) Helen Burnet Craig Garland Peter George Kristie Johnston David O'Byrne George Razay

v t e Parliamentary Leaders of the Tasmanian Labor Party Leaders John Earle Joseph Lyons James Ogden Joseph Lyons Albert Ogilvie Edmund Dwyer-Gray Robert Cosgrove Edward Brooker Robert Cosgrove Eric Reece Bill Neilson Doug Lowe Harry Holgate Ken Wriedt Neil Batt Michael Field Jim Bacon Paul Lennon David Bartlett Lara Giddings Bryan Green Rebecca White David O'Byrne Rebecca White Dean Winter Josh Willie Deputy leaders John James Dwyer Roy Fagan Merv Everett Bill Neilson Doug Lowe Neil Batt Michael Barnard Paul Lennon David Llewellyn Bryan Green Steve Kons David Bartlett Lara Giddings Bryan Green Michelle O'Byrne Anita Dow Janie Finlay Related Bartlett Ministry Giddings Ministry 2021 leadership election 2024 leadership election 2025 leadership election

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dean Winter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Winter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Winter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.