Tasmanian taxpayers have spent close to $1 million funding both sides of a secret legal fight between two former ministers and the Integrity Commission, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has confirmed.
The admission came during question time in state parliament on Wednesday.
Labor’s integrity spokeswoman Ella Haddad pressed Rockliff on the mounting legal bills.
“During budget estimates, the Integrity Commission confirmed that someone initiating court action in the Supreme Court can prevent Integrity Commission reports from being released,” she said.
Haddad said the commission had spent $317,545 on its own legal costs for investigations since the 2022-23 financial year.
“Former Minister Howlett has now racked up $405,000 in secret taxpayer funded legal fees and former Minister Ogilvie has spent over $120,000 that we know of,” she said.
“Premier, are Tasmanians paying almost a million dollars to cover both sides of secret legal disputes between your former ministers and the Integrity Commission?”
Rockliff’s reply was brief.
“There is a process underway and at face value, yes, the answer to your question is yes,” he said.
Jane Howlett and Madeleine Ogilvie both stepped down to the backbench in recent weeks after being accused of misleading parliament.
So far, neither has explained publicly what their legal cases are about.
Rockliff said he did not expect Howlett’s bill to grow any further.
“My understanding is there will be no further costs incurred, but we’ve committed to routine disclosures, should there be any further costs … then we’ll be full and open and transparent,” he said.
The government says the two former ministers will reveal the full details of their cases once they are legally able to.
Outside parliament, Rockliff condemned what he described as personal attacks on MPs.
“Those within the parliament will play political games and by any measure the opposition and the Greens have been relentless in their personal attacks on individuals,” he said.
“For heaven’s sake, enough is enough.”
Independent member for Clark Kristie Johnston rejected that view.
“Fighting for government integrity is not a political game or about personal attacks,” she said.
“It matters, because integrity standards create better outcomes for everyday Tasmanians and that’s what a functioning parliament should be doing.”
The premier now faces a censure motion over his handling of the affair, a symbolic move that carries no penalty.
