Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is facing mounting pressure from the crossbench and Labor over what they are describing as an “unprecedented cover-up” involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded legal fees for ministers.
Four Greens MPs and three independents have issued Rockliff an ultimatum, demanding he reveal when he first learned that former minister Madeleine Ogilvie had allegedly misled parliament.
The crossbench letter gives the Premier until Friday morning to provide “direct and exact answers” or the signatories say they will use parliamentary options to force accountability.
Ogilvie resigned from cabinet on May 30 after it emerged she had told a parliamentary committee in November last year that she had not been a subject or party to any Supreme Court action in the previous 18 months.
She later confirmed she had in fact initiated action in the court.
The letter outlines that around $120,000 in taxpayer funds was spent on Ogilvie’s legal fees between 2023 and 2025.
It also notes that public officers receiving taxpayer-funded legal fees must notify the Premier of any legal proceedings and that Rockliff confirmed during budget estimates these guidelines were followed.
“Given these facts, it is our contention that you and members of Cabinet were in a position to know that Ms Ogilvie had misled Parliament prior to the matter being raised in Parliament in May,” the letter reads.
“Your non-answers have shown profound disrespect to the Parliament, and the Tasmanian people.”
Independent MP Peter George said the government’s conduct was concerning.
“It is hard, if not impossible, to believe that Mr Rockliff and his Cabinet were not aware of both the misleading of parliament and subsequent attempts to cover tracks,” he said.
Labor MP Dean Winter broadened the attack, demanding answers about minister Jane Howlett, who he said had racked up $300,000 in taxpayer-funded legal fees while refusing to explain what they were for.
“It is totally unreasonable for Jane Howlett to accept $300,000 for her own legal expenses, but refuse to tell Tasmanians what they are for,” Winter said.
He said Howlett was promoted and given additional portfolio responsibilities last Friday despite being unable to answer questions about potential Supreme Court and Integrity Commission matters.
“In no other state or territory, in no other Tasmanian government would this be tolerated or accepted,” he said.
Greens deputy leader Vica Bayley said MPs were frustrated by the lack of candour during budget estimates hearings.
“What happened in estimates last week begged many questions, including who knew what, when, and how has this all played out,” he said.
Independent MP David O’Byrne said he shared the crossbench’s concerns but wouldn’t sign the letter, saying it “has the potential to cause great uncertainty and may trigger a series of events that could cause significant parliamentary turbulence.”
Rockliff and his ministers repeatedly declined to answer questions on the legal fees during budget estimates last week, saying the matter is complex due to confidentiality requirements.
Speaking to media today, Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said he had “no doubt the Premier will make more comments when he is legally allowed to”.
“There’s no stonewalling. This is purely about a legal situation that is very complicated and I’ll have to make no further comment,” he said.
