The Tasmanian Greens have moved to censure premier Jeremy Rockliff, accusing him of failing to uphold integrity standards over the resignations of two ministers.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff moved to suspend standing orders in the House of Assembly on Wednesday so the censure motion could be debated immediately during budget week.
The motion lists six grounds, including failing to uphold the ministerial code of conduct over former ministers Madeleine Ogilvie and Jane Howlett and refusing to answer questions during budget estimates.
“Integrity is fundamental to good governance. We need to trust the premier and his chosen ministers that they are acting with integrity at every juncture,” Woodruff said.
“But by his recent actions and his failure to act, the premier has broken this trust.”
“The culture of secrecy, of corruption and cover-ups has pervaded so deeply into the operations of government that we are now in a place where doubt is being cast on every word out of the premier’s mouth.”
Leader of the House Eric Abetz said the government would not oppose the suspension but would defend the premier.
“We will be fighting for the premier because we believe in his integrity and his capacity to lead our state,” he said.
Abetz said the issues had already been dealt with, noting both ministers had left the front bench.
Labor MP Ella Haddad said her party would also support the suspension.
Haddad said it was an important matter that parliament needed to consider.
