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Tasmanian Liberal Government Faces Multiple Crises Following Ministerial Resignations and Censure of Premier

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Tasmanian Liberal Government in Crisis: Resignations, Censure, and Transparency Demands

The Tasmanian Liberal government has experienced significant political turmoil involving the resignations of two ministers, a parliamentary censure of Premier Jeremy Rockliff, and ongoing scrutiny over taxpayer-funded legal fees and compliance with ministerial standards. The events have led to a cabinet reshuffle, crossbench demands for transparency, and a formal parliamentary rebuke of the premier.

Timeline of Events

November 2023 – March 2024: The Initial Statements

  • November 17, 2023: During a Budget Estimates hearing, then-Environment Minister Madeleine Ogilvie was asked if she had been a subject or party to any Supreme Court matters in the previous 18 months. She answered "No."
  • November 20, 2023: Ogilvie provided a clarification statement, stating she was not subject to legal proceedings initiated by another party, but reserved her right to take action in her ministerial capacity.
  • May 21, 2024: The Tasmanian Greens began asking further questions about the matter.
  • May 28, 2024: Ogilvie confirmed in parliament that she was a party to a Supreme Court matter she had initiated "in the execution of my duties as minister."

Late May – June 2024: Resignations and Reshuffle

  • May 30, 2024 (approx.): Ogilvie resigned from cabinet, stating she had "answered the original question poorly" and did not want the government distracted. She moved to the backbench.

Rockliff announced a cabinet reshuffle, reducing the number of ministers from 11 to 10. Ogilvie's portfolios were redistributed:

  • Deputy Premier Guy Barnett: Environment
  • Parks Minister Nick Duigan: Heritage
  • Jane Howlett: Arts
  • Felix Ellis: Science and digital innovation

Backbencher Marcus Vermey became Parliamentary Secretary of Small Business and Community and Multicultural Affairs. Rockliff stated the reduction, including staffing changes, would save over $1 million annually.

Ongoing: Legal Fees and Integrity Commission

Public funds spent on legal fees for current and former ministers were confirmed:

  • Madeleine Ogilvie: Over $120,000
  • Jane Howlett: Between $303,000 and $405,000 (figures vary by source)
  • Mark Shelton: $15,000

Rockliff confirmed these fees were incurred in legal disputes between the former ministers and the Integrity Commission. The Integrity Commission confirmed spending $317,545 on its own legal costs for related investigations since 2022-23.

Additional Controversy: Jane Howlett

Breach of Caretaker Conventions: A parliamentary committee heard evidence from a consultant, Nicolas Turner, that Ms Howlett's senior adviser was shown a message promoting a Liberal Party policy (TasInsure) before it was sent to racing industry participants during an election period. The Department of Premier and Cabinet confirmed the breach. Ms Howlett had previously tabled statutory declarations stating her office was unaware of the intended communication. Mr Turner's evidence appeared to contradict those statements.

Resignation: Jane Howlett resigned from cabinet, citing "relentless personal and political" attacks. She said the matter was causing a distraction for the government. Premier Rockliff thanked her for her service.

June 2024: Censure of Premier

  • June 17, 2024 (approx.): The Tasmanian House of Assembly passed a censure motion against Premier Jeremy Rockliff. The motion, introduced by the Greens, alleged he breached the ministerial code of conduct regarding Ogilvie and Howlett.

The motion passed with 16 votes in favor and 12 against. Supporters included Labor, the Greens, and most crossbench members. Opponents included the Liberal party, independent George Razay, and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco.

This was the first time a Tasmanian premier has received such a censure. The motion does not carry legal consequences; it is symbolic.

Statements and Responses

Premier Jeremy Rockliff

"I accept that I should have interrogated the issue further and ensured a more appropriate response was provided. I regret I didn't. I should have. And for that I apologise."

  • Confirmed he did not seek or receive formal legal advice before appearing at a budget estimates hearing in June 2024.
  • Acknowledged he was aware Ogilvie was involved in a Supreme Court proceeding prior to her November 2023 statement denying such involvement.
  • Stated that his office provided input into Ogilvie's May 28, 2024, written statement but he was unaware of the clarification statement's contents until the matter was raised in parliament in May 2024.
  • On the censure motion, he cautioned against setting a precedent of using censure for political pressure.
  • On legal fees, he stated he would disclose details when legally permitted and that fees would need to be repaid if individuals were found to be in the wrong.
  • On Jane Howlett, he said "there is no basis for the conclusion that her position is 'untenable'" and rejected calls for her to stand aside.

Opposition and Crossbench

  • Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff: Stated that Ogilvie "intentionally misled the parliament on more than one occasion" and that Rockliff's office played a "central role in covering up" the matter. She said Rockliff's apology "doesn't address" concerns about his knowledge and involvement.
  • Labor leader Josh Willie: Stated Ogilvie "failed the test of honesty and accountability" and that Premier Rockliff and cabinet have "questions to answer about what they knew." On Howlett, he said: "Ministers must be beyond reproach. They cannot sit around the cabinet table while hiding behind legal secrecy over hundreds of thousands of dollars in public money."
  • Crossbench letter (four Greens MPs and three independents): Issued a letter demanding Rockliff answer 30 questions by a Friday deadline, stating "There is no satisfactory explanation for your repeated refusal to answer straightforward questions."

Government Ministers

  • Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent: Said "I have no doubt that the premier will make more comments when he is legally allowed to."
  • Government minister Felix Ellis: Stated that ministers had received advice and that confidentiality requirements existed.
  • Government minister Nick Duigan: Argued the Howlett and Ogilvie cases "are not comparable" and accused the opposition of "trying to muddy the waters."

External Analysis

  • University of Tasmania political analyst Richard Herr: Noted that parliamentary privilege would override court suppression orders in broad constitutional terms, but parliaments generally respect court proceedings and avoid interfering with the execution of justice.

Subsequent Developments

Cabinet Changes

  • Roger Jaensch returned to cabinet, taking portfolios including Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Racing, Community and Multicultural Affairs, and the Arts.
  • Jo Palmer added Women and the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence to her portfolio.

Review of Legal Indemnity

Rockliff announced a review to strengthen transparency and accountability around the use of public funds for legal indemnity, including enhancing public reporting and potentially introducing cross-party visibility.

Future Parliamentary Actions

  • The Greens have proposed a censure motion against the premier (already passed), referral to a privileges committee, and an order to produce documents.
  • Independent MP Peter George stated a no-confidence motion is not being considered.
  • Options raised by crossbench MPs include sending the issue to a committee or ordering the premier to produce documents.
  • Parliament is scheduled to resume next week.