For two years, Jane Howlett dodged answering questions about JackJumpers allegations. 

She put her head up once to announce her candidacy at the recent election, still didn’t answer any questions, then went into hiding again.

Now Ms Howlett is a minister again, she must be held to a higher standard of account.

As Sports Minister, Jane Howlett was responsible for overseeing many of the arrangements between the Tasmanian Government and the establishment of the JackJumpers, which included the allocation of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. 

The allegation is that she was in a close, personal relationship with the CEO of the JuckJumpers, Simon Brookhouse at the time.

Today, fronting journalists as a minister again, Jane Howlett owes it to Tasmanians to clear up unanswered questions regarding the allegations:

• Does Ms Howlett accept that significant questions remain unanswered about the allegations she was in a relationship with Mr Brookhouse?
• Does she accept that with these questions unanswered, Tasmanians could have reason to doubt her integrity?
• If it turns out Ms Howlett is the government member subject of Integrity Commission Investigation ‘Loyetea’ regarding a failure to declare a conflict of interest and a misuse of information – as has previously been speculated in the media – does she expect to remain a Minister?
• Why has Ms Howlett been unable to answer any questions about the matter?
• After being left out of Jeremy Rockliff’s cabinet on multiple occasions, why has she only now been let back in?

Rebecca White MP
Shadow Minister for Integrity