Premier Jeremy Rockliff has accused Labor and the Greens of fuelling a “toxic” political culture, as he brushed off the prospect of facing a censure motion.
Speaking on Thursday, the premier said he had no problem being held to account but objected to the way the opposition was pursuing him over taxpayer-funded legal fees paid on behalf of Liberal MPs.
The Liberals have faced two weeks of questions over hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal bills paid for ministers and the subsequent resignation of Madeleine Ogilvie from cabinet.
“Accountability is a very important mechanism in the Westminster system. We accept that as a government,” he said. “We accept the heightened scrutiny.”
“What I don’t like is the incessant toxicity and the personal obsession with gotcha moments. It’s toxic. Tasmanians don’t like it.”
The premier then took direct aim at the opposition.
“I see media releases, not on the budget from the Labor Party, but on how you can tear someone down,” he said.
“That’s all the Labor Party cares about. The toxicity in politics, destabilising the parliament.”
Rockliff said he was not concerned about facing a censure motion – an issue he said was one for the “will of the parliament” – instead pointing to a list of achievements during his time in office.
“I am the first premier to get a stadium through parliament, to strike a deal with the prime minister on a new heart centre in Launceston, to build a new high school in Brighton, to build a new primary school in Legana, to build a new Bridgewater Bridge,” he said.
He also pointed to bringing the Tasmania Devils “to reality” and “building more homes”.
Labor MP Dean Winter again pushed Racing Minister Jane Howlett to explain her $300,000 in legal fees.
He said Howlett could not explain whether she was before the Supreme Court or subject to an Integrity Commission investigation.
“These situations are untenable,” he said.
“The parliament requires to have ministers that are on top of their brief but also who are beyond reproach when it comes to the law.”
He drew a comparison with Ogilvie, who moved to the backbench after saying she could not answer questions about her own Supreme Court matter.
“That exact same circumstance exists with Jane Howlett,” Winter said.
“If Jane Howlett cannot answer a single question about this matter, then she needs to go as well.”
The premier said on Wednesday that more details would be released once the legal matters were resolved.
“If individuals are found to be in the wrong, then all those legal fees will need to be paid back to the Tasmanian taxpayer,” Rockliff said.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said it was the first time the premier or anyone in government had “acknowledged these legal matters concern a question of wrongdoing”.
She said taxpayers had been “handing out the dough for years” and that there was a “serious cloud” over the ordeal.
“The Greens will continue to press this matter on behalf of all Tasmanians,” Woodruff said.
Parliament returns next week.
