Will Hodgman was working as a child protection prosecutor when the "fire" in his heart was first lit to get into politics to better protect society's most vulnerable.
Mr Hodgman, who led Tasmania between 2014 and 2020, considers the implementation of his state's plan to reduce family violence during his government's term as one of its most important changes.
"Seeing how governments cannot adequately protect and care for vulnerable people in communities right across the world, but including in my home state, was something I thought I'd like to improve," he told AAP.
"It was that fire in my heart to seek to enter our parliament and pursue what were one of the most significant reforms."
The former Liberal premier has been awarded Australia's highest civil honour, the Companion of the Order (AC), for eminent service to the people and parliament of Tasmania, to economic growth and policy reform, to the law and to the community.
