Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has refused to provide any information about cabinet’s decision to pay for Liberal MP Madeleine Ogilvie’s legal fees, on the basis of legal confidentiality.
Ms Ogilvie was accused of misleading parliament after she first told an estimates committee in November that she was not a party to any Supreme Court proceedings, but then last week revealed in parliament she was in fact involved in Supreme Court matters she initiated.
She resigned as a minister on Saturday evening, saying she did not want the government to be “distracted by this matter”.
But the Greens — who asked the question that started the saga — and Labor say the premier has questions to answer, like what he knew and when.
In estimates on Monday, the premier was repeatedly asked questions by the leaders of both parties, but he offered little beyond the fact the matters were complex, “particularly given the confidentiality requirements”.
He also said Ms Ogilvie would reveal the full details when she could.
Labor leader Josh Willie: When did you authorise Supreme Court proceedings? You would’ve had to approve it.
Mr Rockliff: I am not commenting any further. It’s a legal matter.
Mr Willie: This is about what you knew … this is about you and what you knew at what time.
Mr Rockliff: This is about complying with the law.
Mr Willie: No, when did you approve the legal fees?
Mr Rockliff: I’m sorry, I’ve said my answer. You can ask it in 50 different ways. These are complex matters and I won’t be commenting any further.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff faces questioning during a committee hearing on Monday. (Supplied: Tasmanian Parliament)
Mr Willie also asked Mr Rockliff about the state’s Integrity Commission.
“If the Integrity Commission completed an investigation and a person named in the report commenced Supreme Court proceedings challenging the process or findings, would that prevent the commission from publishing the report?”
Mr Rockliff said he could not comment.
Tasmanian minister Madeleine Ogilvie to move to the backbench
The premier was given no reprieve from Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff, who was trying to find out if the legal matters related to Ms Ogilvie’s position as a minister.
“I understand that cabinet approved the legal cost to be paid for,” she said.
“I would expect that cabinet would understand what the matter was, I think without revealing any details or getting into the realms of the court.
“Were the actions of her as a minister the reason that legal costs were being approved by cabinet?”
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff says the government should be able to offer up more details. (ABC News: Simon Farrell)
Mr Rockliff told the committee the legal proceedings are ongoing and full details will be provided once legally possible.
But the Greens leader was unsatisfied, arguing the government should offer up details like dates and times.
Ms Ogilvie will not have to front up to estimates as she is no longer a minister. Treasurer Eric Abetz will instead step in to front the committees scrutinising her portfolio areas.
Will a former minister return to the frontbench?
Ms Ogilvie held multiple portfolios, including environment, innovation, science and the digital economy, community and multicultural affairs, and arts and heritage.
Treasurer Eric Abetz will take questions on the portfolio areas held by Ms Ogilvie.
As for who will replace her as minister, a government spokesperson said there would be “more to say on new ministerial announcements” later in the week.
The end came quickly for Madeleine Ogilvie, who jumped before being pushed
University of Tasmania political analyst Richard Herr said three former ministers would likely be the frontrunners for the vacant minister position.
He said Michael Ferguson, Roger Jaensch and Mark Shelton each “had their own problems in the past” but made the strongest case for joining cabinet.
“Michael Ferguson would clearly like to be redeemed, Roger Jaensch and Mark Shelton all have reasons for saying, ‘we have more experience’,” Dr Herr said.
“One of those three is likely to get it.”
Dr Herr said the environment portfolio was “probably one of the most critical” in dealing with the progressive crossbench.
“That really needs an experienced minister who can talk to the crossbench and get on with it,” he said.
“It’s important for the government to keep the ship fairly steady in very, very troubled waters and have experienced ministers on the frontbench.”