Tasmania’s racing minister has accused the opposition of misogyny after facing sustained questioning over whether her office knew about an election campaign message that appeared to breach caretaker rules.
Jane Howlett was grilled in parliament over a text message sent by government-owned Tasracing to racing industry participants during last year’s election campaign.
The message and other publications promoted the Liberal Party’s TasInsure policy but were later withdrawn over concerns they breached caretaker conventions.
Those conventions prevent government resources from being used for party-political purposes during election campaigns.
Emails obtained through right-to-information show Howlett’s senior adviser was contacted by Tasracing’s external public relations consultant before the message was sent.
One email stated the adviser “says ok for tonight now”.
Howlett has repeatedly denied her office knew the communication would be sent as a text message.
When Labor MP and shadow attorney-general Ella Haddad pressed the minister on Thursday, Howlett hit back.
“This is nothing but a misogynist attack,” she said.
“How do you feel as International Women’s Week, Ms Haddad? How do you feel?
“Are you inspiring women to enter parliament?”
Haddad later sought a personal explanation about the comments, saying she was “proud that these questions are being asked in International Women’s Week”.
“To misuse and weaponise a word like misogynistic actually does a disservice not only to all women, but to men as well,” Haddad said.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff also went on the attack, linking Labor’s questioning to the government’s upcoming greyhound racing ban.
“You are being played by cashed-up mainland greyhound thugs,” he told Labor leader Josh Willie.
Howlett said her adviser “takes full responsibility for not understanding the context in which he answered stakeholder questions about the policy”.
Labor has called for Howlett to resign, arguing she misled parliament.
On Thursday, the party also moved a motion ordering the tabling of the emails released under right-to-information, which the government says will be done by 6pm.
