The Premier said today that he asked Ms Wriedt yesterday to relinquish her tourism and economic development portfolio but she was not willing to do so.
He said Ms Wriedt was still being treated in hospital and his decision was in her best interests and in the best interests of good government in Tasmania.
"Earlier this week, I made the decision that the time had arrived to resolve the issues surrounding Cabinet and Ministers following from the events leading to the hospitalisation of Paula Wriedt," Mr Bartlett said.
"My message to Paula has been that I believe it was in the best interests of Paula`s long-term health for her to relinquish her position as minister and was, indeed, in the best interests of good government in Tasmania.
"Unfortunately, Paula finds herself in a position where she is unable to make that decision at this time ... In the interests of Paula`s long-term health and wellbeing, I have had no other choice than to make that decision myself.
"I have not taken this decision lightly in fact, decisions don`t come any tougher than this."
Mr Bartlett said Ms Wriedt could return to the ministry in the future. He said he would "not speculate" on who would replace her in the position.
Read more on this story and what it means for Tasmania at The Mercury.
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