Government blocking transparency to protect themselves

The Rockliff Liberal Government is now actively trying to block scrutiny of its own cover up.

Today in Budget Estimates, Labor has been asking every Cabinet Minister what they knew about former Minister Madeleine Ogilvie misleading Parliament, when they knew it, and why they covered it up.

These are basic questions of integrity and accountability. But instead of answering, the Liberals are running cover for the Premier and his Cabinet.

To be clear, these are not questions asking for any details relating to the matter currently before the Court, or subject to the suppression order. They are questions about accountability by the Premier in circumstances where it can be reasonably assumed he knew Ms Ogilvie misled Parliament on 17 November last year.

There is therefore no legal basis on which the Government can argue a refusal to answer basic questions about who knew what, and when.

Yet in one hearing, the Liberal Chair even tried to stop Greens MP Vica Bayley from asking questions about the Ogilvie matter at all.

That says everything.

This is no longer just about Madeleine Ogilvie.

This is about a Premier, and a Cabinet that knew a Minister lied to Parliament and kept it secret until they were caught.

Misleading Parliament is a serious breach of Ministerial standards, and the Parliament has the right to ask questions keeping them to account.

It is incumbent on a Premier, as leader of the government, to either demand the Minister immediately corrects the record, or remove the Minister from Cabinet.

Tasmanians deserve a government that respects Parliament, respects transparency, and tells the truth.

Instead, after 13 years, the Liberals are protecting themselves while Tasmanians are left paying for their waste, secrecy, and cover ups.